Big Wheel

She was my father’s sister. He had once called her barely domesticated but outside of that I knew nothing at all. It was hardly a teary affair. Besides me there was the mortician wearily glancing at his watch as though no one would notice.

“Goodbye Aunt Susie.” I rested my hand on the closed wooden coffin. There were several photos. Not one absent of a kitten or two. Even the flowers seemed quite lonely. I had only attended due to a legal summoning and I was the only one of my family who lived in the area. Any items of value were sold to cover the funeral costs so I hadn’t taken the time to visit for some secret large inheritance. All that was left was to give my farewells and my signature of release.

The lawyer seemed to be displaying the practised professional level of concern as he handed me the pen and the contract. “Please make sure to read the paragraph lining out the reclaiming of assets to cover the costs of the proceedings and approval of the ceremony.” I did not. Instead I dove nib first, signed my name and handed the documents back. I had washing up to catch up on and a couple episodes I had heard some good things about. Unphased, the suited man placed the papers in his briefcase, clipped it shut, shook my hand and showed me to the door.

The streets quietly purred with activity, I considered browsing the shops as I was rarely in this part of town. All the shop fronts had such nifty displays and the bakery I passed on the way here had the most delicious looking cupcakes. Gosh I hope they're not sold out.

“Meow”

As I looked down a furry friend was rubbing against my boots and tights, a shortcut to a static shock. “Hello kitty.” “Meow”. I knelt to get a face to face introduction. That’s when I saw a familiar face, this was one of Auntie Susie’s cats! It was a shame to see the little thing just waiting around. Did they even know they would never see her again? A feeling sunk in my chest. “Meow.” Perhaps I could be a new friend? I didn’t know Aunt Susie very well but maybe I could share some tales with her old acquaintance? Just then, as I was tangled in my own thoughts, the cat darted away as if something more interesting had caught its eye and now on the hunt. “Kiiiittyyy!” I yelped as I began to chase. If only I knew its name…

It was immediately clear that this cat knew the neighbourhood better than I did as no more than six turned corners and several unkempt alleys later did I find myself completely and utterly lost. “Oh bother.” I didn’t have any appointments to rush to but getting lost does have a tendency of creating an excuse to delay one’s chores and that was one of the worst disasters an adult could encounter. “A terrible shame.” I began to search for my new friend. It would not do to depart before having truly made acquaintance. “Meow.” I turned and there it was. Sat upon her steel podium, a rusty rubbish receptacle. The evening sun setting her golden furr aglow and her whiskers asparkle. No name tag or collar but her emerald eyes certainly recognise me. “I feel we have not been formally introduced, my name is Ellie.” As I stuck out my hand to seal the deal the cat brushed its face against my palm. Cute! “I’m going to call you Trouble, certainly seems appropriate as you have led me utterly astray from civilisation.” I looked around, hands on hips. Where was I? Certainly nowhere people went. Though there were signs that people had been. Quite a few people actually. What was this place? Hidden amongst the trees and bushes I began to piece it together. “Some kind of park?” “Meow.” Trouble leapt down from her perch and began leading me into what I assumed was her home away from home, little did I know.

Once we made it past the gates of fauna, bars of rusted steel and crackly painted iron of all colours. Soon as I felt concrete beneath my feet I saw a sign, or what was left of one. Some of the letters were faded to the point of being unreadable but I could just make it out. “Cartoonland…” “Meow.” As trouble stirred, I could feel that we were being watched but my companion seemed unfettered and continued to lead me deeper. Remnants of the park lay all around. Slowly being reclaimed by nature. I had always felt that places like this were too busy so this private tour was quite lovely. That’s when I hear a clang to my left. Definitely not alone. I turned immediately to find, to my second surprise of the day, more of Auntie Susie’s friends. A whole pack! I recognised a few of them from the photos. There must have been a dozen or so that I could see alone! I knelt down to stoke its leader. A sleek black cat with striking yellow eyes. “Howdy handsome.” I stroked behind its ear and received immediate purrs of approval as he ran my hand along his back followed by a long tail. “Meow!” I turned and Trouble had her eyes impatiently upon me. “Sorry!” It seemed I had got lost for a moment within my moments of being lost. I followed Trouble with my new cat pack trailing. We made our way through the streets of the abandoned fair. It was getting dark now but as it darkened I noticed the wired lights weaving amongst the tops of the structures, intermingling with the overgrown vines which gave them enough strength to support the various kittens walking along them. Alongside me. A long way to…wherever it was we were going. That’s when I spotted it.

Once we had passed a couple of obfuscating ruins, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t spotted it right away. A giant wheel. A ferris wheel. Shining brighter than all its surroundings. This must have been the main attraction though from the looks of things it had been quite a while since it had attracted much at all. Trouble sat at it’s entrance purring with anticipation. I gave her an unconvinced look. “I’m not sure this is going to work…””Meow!!” She leapt into one of the hanging carriages and eagerly awaited my company. Well if it’s not going to move I suppose there's no harm taking a break. I had been on my feet all day. I was right. As I sat down I felt I could relax for the first time in…ever. Trouble crawled on to my lap and made the signal. “MEOW!” With that sound, I saw one of the other cats leap onto what must have been some kind of panel and as they did the loud sound of metal scraping filled me with shock. More importantly the stupid thing began to move! I gripped the iron bars to the side of me with all my might. “Meow.” Was Trouble smiling? In her defence we were moving at an incredibly slow pace, slow enough that our pack began to leap onto the other carriages as they made their way round. The view was unbelievable, I could see so far! From here I could spot the street we met earlier. Seemed barely a stone’s throw. I could see the town alight in the distance, cars flowing through it, so much bustle, but here I was, on top of the world and none of it could touch me. The calm returned. More than that, it suddenly struck me. Auntie Susie used to take me here when I was younger, just a couple times when my parents were out of town, it was the best! how could I forget! It must have closed down since then and… “You came here with Auntie Susie too didn’t you?” Trouble responded with a solemn meow. So I pulled her close and we said goodbye together.

It was over all too soon. I had found my bearings after my bird’s eye view. Honestly I was exhausted but … lighter. I made my way in the direction back to the city. Trouble and the gang walked me to the edge of the fair but no further. This was their home. “Thanks for having me, can I come back sometime?” A unified meow followed by several minutes of see you later petting and I was gone.

As I stepped into my flat I dropped my keys in the bowl. A sink full of dishes and a pile of unfolded laundry waited patiently. Tomorrow, perhaps.

The End.