Curiosity Kills

I had no idea how my life would change when I woke up that morning. I lived with my Grandma, and while we were never rich, but we had a roof and enough food in our bellies for that. She said we should be thankful. If only I had listened.

I never knew my Father and my Mom was in jail for tax fraud. I was totally set up for great things, right? Ha. My Grandma refused to see me flounder or end up in foster care, though. Besides, my Mom had me young, so while Grams made for an older parent, she wasn't incapable of taking care of me. At 16, I was a bit of a little shit and definitely didn't appreciate her as I should have.

I was walking home from school with my face in my phone, probably reading clickbait or chatting with friends on FaceSpace when I stumbled. I turned to see what I tripped over, only to find a well dressed older man adjusting his tie. What was this dude playing at walking around Brooklyn like that? Furthermore, my peripheral vision was impeccable, and I was absolutely positive he hadn't been there when I'd been walking by. Before I had a chance to say something smart assed about his getup, he extended his hand.

"Briar, at your service. May I have your name?"

Maybe it was his sudden appearance, clothes, or the too-bright smile entirely out of place for a stranger in NYC, but my instincts were screaming at me to run. I couldn't identify why I was uncomfortable, but I was a street smart kid. I wasn't about to give him my real name or anything that could be traced back to me.

"You can call me K2," I said, hooking my fingers in my belt loops and trying to look tough.

His smile faltered slightly, but he closed and withdrew his hand.

"Well, K2. I was going to offer you a... ah job, but I can't unless I have your name."

"In fact." He paused, rubbing his chin. "You could even call it a gift."

My instincts were still screaming this was supremely weird and that I needed to be on alert, but the mention of money had my interest piqued. After all, Grams and I weren't rich, and if I could bring in some, life would get better. We'd be able to fix the leaky faucet that drove up our plumbing bill by about thirty bucks each month. The draft in my window that chilled my room so much I had to sleep on the living room couch during winter months could be mended. I'd even be able to fix my bike, so getting around would be so much easier. With thoughts of monetary sufficiency whirling in my head, I extended my hand.

"Kiren. My name's Kiren."

The man's smile widened even further as he gripped my hand in a surprisingly spry grip for an elderly man. Had he always had such sharp canines?

"Well, Kiren. I have some tasks for you."

He scribbled in a little black leather-bound book and when he was done, tore out the page and passed it to me with a flourish. In the split second, it took me to look down at the paper and back up he was gone. I looked back and forth. I could see for a good two blocks in each direction, but he was nowhere to be found. In fact, the only evidence he had ever been there was the little paper clutched in my hand.

On the paper, it detailed that I needed to leave a sprig of silver vine outside. To find five shiny trinkets and an offering of meat, and do all of this for a fortnight.

How was the man to know whether I did any of this stupid stuff? What kind of job was this anyway? Did I even want a job with this freak?

I shook my head and pulled out my earbuds, and plugged them into my phone. Turning on the music, I continued home. All the while thinking about the strange little man while the beat thudded in my ears.

I had no idea why I did it, it was almost automatic, but all the same, I found myself ordering silver vine off the internet. Frankly, I was surprised to find an obscure Japanese vine in NYC. As I walked to school and the bodega around the corner from my house, I would see random trinkets on the ground. A key chain, a shiny rock, a single earring, a piece of a mirror, and even a diamond ring. I picked up the small items without even thinking and put them in my pockets. Only remembering finding them when I emptied my pockets at the end of the day.

Meat. I figured if I'd done the rest of it, I might as well finish it off and get some meat. If the man didn't appear, then at least, I could give the meat to Grams to cook for dinner. I left the apartment and walked to the bodega. After buying the hamburger, I began walking home.

"So, did you do what was asked?" The voice came from behind me, and I fairly jumped out of my skin.

"Really?" He tilted his head. "Check your pockets."

I reached into my pocket, and something sliced my finger. Withdrawing my hand in surprise, I looked at the man who only raised his eyebrows expectantly. With more caution this time, I reached my hand back into my pocket and withdrew the mirror still sparkling with my blood. One by one, I placed the trinkets into my hand. When I was done, I stretched them out to him.

He smiled brightly and grabbed for them greedily. Then he tilted his head.

"And the meat?"

I extended the package of hamburger meat, and his expression soured.

"This... is your offering? THIS PITTANCE?" He spat, and his eyes flashed.

"You couldn't even kill it yourself?!"

I stepped back in shock, "Well... uh... people don't usually kill their meat anymore. At least not when in cities."

After half a second, he composed himself.

"True enough." His eyes still held a glint that made me pause, not to mention his personality flip.

"Well. I guess we better get down to business." He said, withdrawing the black book from his coat. He scribbled. Looked at me as I stood awkwardly, pursed his lips, and wrote some more. Finally satisfied, he handed me the book.

"You're... You're... going to pay me this amount of money?"

"You followed directions. That is rewarded." He shrugged with a small smile that raised the hair on the back of my neck.

"Simply sign the contract and receive your reward."

I looked at him. Then back down to the soft leather book. It was too good to be true. But at the same time, he didn't have any of my information other than my first name: no social security number or anything. I signed.

"This is amazing." I gushed as I handed the book back.

"Thank you!" I said.

"You are most welcome, and here's your payment." He passed me an envelope. It held a stack of hundred dollar bills. I didn't have time to count to see whether there really was one hundred hundred dollar bills.

But Kiren," As he said my name and my stomach randomly experienced a stabbing pain.

"Don't think I've forgotten the slight of cheap meat. You may have stuck to the letter of the offer but not the spirit. You'll remember for the future though," He grinned wolfishly.

"After all, your name is mine. I think two years' punishment should suffice."

Before I could reply, he waved his hand, and my body began to shrink, and thick black fur sprouted. No one else milling around reacted as I cried out. My body contorted, and within a minute, I was low to the ground and felt decidedly light on my feet. Walking over to a deli window, I realized with a start that I was looking at myself with feline eyes. I was a freaking cat!

"Now, the man bent down to my eye level. Don't forget to give me choice meat, lest you become my prey." His own feline eyes stared into mine.

It's been almost two years now.

I quickly got over my squeamishness when I realized just how much my neck was on the line. Each day I hunt whether or not Grams has fed me. Each night I leave my fresh kill outside while I hide inside. I'm not stupid enough to trust him face to face while in this form. Still, each month Grams gets ten thousand anonymously in the mail. I know she thinks it's from me. I don't know what she thinks I'm doing with myself, but she obviously doesn't figure I'm the cat that keeps her feet warm each night. When that money comes in the mail, she always gets a little teary and hugs me tighter. The cat in me doesn't really enjoy that part, but I force myself to endure it for her.

After all, I should've listened to her when she said we had enough. But, I also can't bring myself to regret it. Neither of us was thriving in a drafty leaky apartment. Here in the country, it is much nicer for us both. Even though the whole thing led to the last twenty-two months. When I do get my body back, I'm going to do three things.

1. Hug her every day.

2. Focus on my education.

3. Find something I love to do.

I'll also never forget to supply fresh meat ever again. At least hunting is easy in the country.