The Bar Cat

The sun had just begun to set as I pulled up to Earl’s place. Steering the wagon around back, I was greeted by Earl himself, an older man with graying hair and a face lined with years of hard work. 

“About time!” he shouted, grabbing an armful of wood from the wagon without pause. “Grab another armful, would ya? We're running low in here.” 

With a resigned sigh, I hefted a stack of logs and followed him through his office into the main dining area. The warmth of the tavern was a refreshing change after the cold journey here. After stacking the wood against the wall, Earl glanced over and nodded approvingly.  

“That should do, Will. Unload the rest out back, would ya please?”   

A few moments later I made my way back inside and took a seat at the bar, rubbing my cold hands together. “What's on the menu today, Earl?” 

“Same thing as usual Will, shitty beer and shitty soup.” He said from the back, rummaging through his desk. “You want some, or not?”

Earl’s was the only place in town with a warm meal. A warm meal that I desperately needed, the winter months had rolled in fast. Despite my complaints, in all honesty Earl ran a clean establishment. The food was warm, and the hearth burned bright.

“Not like I have a choice,” I muttered. “What about hot coffee, at least? This cold weather is getting to me.” I pulled my jacket tight, glancing toward the hearth on the far wall, the flames were reduced to glowing embers.

A movement caught my eye, a black cat lounging on the mantel, its eyes reflecting the dim firelight. When did Earl get a cat? I wondered. I walked toward the logs stacked neatly along the wall. Throwing a few into the pit, the flames flickered appreciatively, sending out a fresh wave of heat. The cat did not seem as appreciative, the bright flames startling her, she leapt down, scampering over the bar and finding a new perch on the far counter. 

“Here’s your soup,” Earl said, setting a steaming bowl in front of me. “Mixed in the last bit of rabbit I had. Coffee’s brewing,” He added, placing a polished mug beside the bowl.

“What’s with the cat?” I asked, nodding my head toward the sleek creature now grooming itself on the counter.

“Oh that scruffy thing?” Earl chuckled. “She showed up late last night during the blizzard. Let it in, didn’t have the heart to let her freeze.” He grabbed a scrap of meat from the pot and tossed it over. She batted at the meat for a second, sending it sliding across the counter. “For a scruffy stray you're a damn picky eater.”

“You telling me you've got a heart in there?” I said, mockingly.

“Careful Will, for a cat sure, but don’t think I give a damn if you freeze.” Before I could reply, the front door slammed open, letting in a rush of icy wind. A large man with a round belly and long, greasy red hair stumbled his way in, holding onto the door to support himself. Earl leaned against the counter and sighed “Welcome Ron.”

Ron ignored him, stomping his boots and brushing the snow from his legs. He tracked what remained across the floor, glaring in my direction. Hurriedly I averted my gaze, focusing on the warm soup in front of me. Satisfied that he had got the upper hand, Ron approached the bar taking the stool one down from me.

“Beer now, if you got anything harder, pour me some of that too.” He ordered. I could smell his rancid breath from where I sat. If his breath was anything to go off of, more alcohol was the last thing he needed.  

“Are you going to pay this time? You still owe me.” Earl’s voice cut through the room with a familiar edge of irritation. Ron didn’t answer, his bloodshot eyes had fixed on the cat, now curled up snugly on the back counter.

“What the hell is that thing doing here?” Ron spat, pushing himself up from the barstool with an uneven wobble and stomping towards the counter. 

Earl’s brow furrowed, and he took a step to block Ron’s path. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? Sit your ass back down.” His voice was low but carried an iron edge.

“I’m sick of that damn runt,” Ron growled, his words slurring as he swayed on his feet. “It’s been following me all week. I’m gettin’ rid of it!” The cat’s ears twitched at the sudden outburst, its eyes narrowing as it uncurled and stood, tail flicking.

“You’re doing no such thing” Earl’s voice hardened, but Ron was already lunging past him.

With a flash of movement, the cat leapt gracefully off the counter, clearing the bar and landing on one of the center tables. The firelight flickered across its sleek fur, casting a brief, eerie glint in its eyes as it stared Ron down, almost as if daring him to make the next move.

Enraged, Ron charged, but his drunken momentum was abruptly cut short by Earl’s fist connecting with his temple. The impact sent a resounding thud through the room as Ron crumpled to the floor, mumbling incoherently before slipping into unconsciousness.

“Grab his legs.” Earl muttered as he hefted Ron’s arms. Together we dragged him across the room, his backside scraping against the wooden planks, and heaved him onto the front porch. Hurriedly I slammed the door as the icy wind tried to fill the room.

“You worried he’ll freeze out there?” I asked, glancing back at the door. 

Earl shrugged, a rough chuckle escaping him as he poured fresh coffee into my mug. “Nah. That cold air’ll sober him up. He’ll be up pissing someone else off before long.”

I settled back onto my stool, cradling the warm mug between my hands. The steam curled up, warming my face as I took a sip. When I looked around, something caught my eye. The cat was gone.

Ah shit my head was throbbing. I sat upward, my back was soaked. Grabbing the railing I pulled myself up. Why does Earl care about that damn stray anyway?

I pulled my coat tight, the cold air cutting at my skin. Rubbing my hand together for warmth, a flash of movement caught my eye, followed by a soft meow.

The cat’s meow came from the side of the building, pricking at my already frayed nerves. My breath froze in the night air as I clenched my fist. The cat's dark form stood stark against the pristine snow, its eyes locked on mine, daring me.

“Screw off” I shouted, my voice cracking from the cold.

The cat didn’t flinch, its eye stayed locked on mine, taunting me. As if on cue it let out another soft meow, flicking her tail across the snow. 

“What the hell do you want!” It remained unmoving, its unwavering black eyes only stared back into me. With a defiant meow, she held her ground. I lunged at her, my boots skidding across the gravel road. Effortlessly, she darted out of reach.

With a sudden bound, it slipped down the narrow alley, Its paws barely leaving a mark in the soft snow. I charged after it, the snow crunching loudly beneath my boots. 

I reached out at her one final time as my boots started to slide across the frozen gravel. The treacherous ground tilted below me as I tumbled forward. Arms flailing, I reached out in vain to brace myself. Pain seared through my skull when it met the hard frozen ground. A river of warm blood dripped down my forehead, my eyes grew heavy as my consciousness tried to slip away.

I fought against the temptation to close my eyes, to go to sleep right here in the dirt. Something soft rubbed up against me. I tried to move my head but my muscles refused. It was her, she stepped into my eye sight, her dark eyes staring back at mine. 

She lay beside me, her gaze unyielding as the snow slowly began to fall, covering her black fur in a thin blanket of white. My eyes continued to grow heavy, with a final breath I gave in, closing my eyes.

Thwack! The splitting maul came down with a resounding crack, the log splintered clean in half. “Only one more,” I muttered, brushing snow off the blade as I lifted it over my shoulder. With practiced ease, I stepped forward and brought the maul down, the final log split beneath the blow.

Stacking the last of the cut wood, I tossed my gloves into the wagon. A familiar flicker of movement caught my eye. There, perched on the wheel well, was the same sleek black cat that had appeared back at Earl’s Tavern.

I ran my hand through her thick fur, feeling an odd sense of comfort as she purred and nuzzled my jacket. Before I could step back, she bounded up to the driver’s bench, curling into a ball and fixing me with those inscrutable eyes.

“Welp, I guess you're coming with me.” I chuckled. The cat blinked slowly, as if acknowledging my surrender. I climbed onto the bench and took the reins, shaking the snow from them with a snap. The horse stirred, beginning its steady trot toward town.

The snow was beautiful yet harsh, it deafened the world around me, broken only by the rhythmic creak of the wagon and the steady trot of the horse. The cat remained a small, warm presence at my side, but her sudden shift and paw on my sleeve made my chest tighten. She stared at me, eyes wide and searching, before letting out a quiet urgent meow.

“What’s wrong girl?” I asked, unease threading into my voice. She pawed at me again before leaping gracefully to the ground, her dark form a sharp contrast against the pristine snow. My pulse quickened. Nothing about this cat had felt ordinary from the start. Pulling the reins, I brought the wagon to a halt.

The cat trotted up a narrow, snow-covered path off the main road, pausing to look back at me. Her tail flicked in an unmistakable signal. I hesitated, the cold biting through my coat, something about her intrigued me, I found myself overcome with curiosity. 

“Alright, lead the way,” I muttered, stepping down from the wagon. The silence deepened as I followed her up the driveway that led to a small, secluded cabin nestled just inside the tree line. It looked lifeless, the chimney silent and dark. My breath frosted in the air as I approached, and the cat, now sitting on the porch, watched me expectantly.

I raised my hand and rapped lightly on the door. After a moment, the door swung open, revealing a slightly gaunt woman with bags under her eyes. She was wrapped up tightly in a makeshift jacket, sewn together from pieces of hide. 

“Hello?” Her voice was a threadbare whisper. “Can I help you?” 

Nonchalantly I peered over her shoulder, the barren cold cabin lacked any resemblance of comfort. Only one candle sat lit over a cold mantel. From the shadows, a frail voice emerged.

“Mom?” A young girl peeked around the corner, eyes wide with worry.

“Oh, sorry about that,” I said, shifting slightly awkwardly. “Didn’t mean to startle y'all. I’m Will. This might sound strange, but do you know this cat by chance?”

The young girl’s eyes lit up, and a massive grin spread across her face. “Lizzy!” she cried, scooping the cat into her arms and pressing her face into its dark fur. “I missed you so much!” She dashed back into the dim cabin, holding the black fur ball close to her chest.

“Thank you, sir.” the woman said, a genuine smile breaking across her face.

“It’s no problem mam,” I replied with a chuckle. My gaze went to the cold hearth. “These winter months are tough without a fire. Everything alright?” I asked, nodding toward the cold mantel on the far wall.

“Shits been rough. Haven’t the time to gather wood.” her smile now replaced with a dour expression. 

I glanced back at the stacked wood in the wagon and nodded. “I think I can help with that.”

The barren cabin soon filled with the small comforts brought by a warm fire. Stacked along the cottage's back wall was now a third of the cart, enough to fuel this small home for at least the following week.

Throwing the last log in the fire, a soft voice pried for my attention.

“Mister.. Thank you for bringing Lizzy back.” Her Long red hair fell over her shoulders as she spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

She flinched as I kneeled down to her level. “No problem at all, miss. You better take good care of her.” I said, nodding towards the far shelf. 

Lizzy was now perched up high, her watch full gaze never left the small girl. Lizzy seemed like more than just a pet, Lizzy was the girl's silent guardian, a steady presence in the shadow.