~This is a prequel story about Meeko's parents. Meeko is an original character I am using in a role playing story 'The Call of Freedom'. Anyway I hope you like it. This story is kind of near and dear to my heart.
10-24-16 I went back in and did some editing. Even a few years after I originally wrote this the characters still speak to me.~
It was not a glorious life...the life of a pet. My Mistress was cruel and cold. She saw to it that I was always well groomed, clean, and dressed,as she called it, appropriately.
Never was I allowed to do as I wished. All things that came naturally to a hybrid like myself she found to be primitive and disgusting.I had to block out all of my animal instincts and try to be the perfect little pet.
I was given piano lessons and made to play as entertainment for her rich friends. I hated the piano, and the way the humans watched me play it. Like as if I were just some thing for their amusement with no feelings or dreams. Mistress had no children. She thought they were disgusting and uncontrollable.
Even when I was a kitten she never treated me like a child. I never received any warmth or affection from her. She treated me the way humans treated my ancestors. Like a dumb beast. Rubbing my face in my own filth if I wet myself, or beating me if I talked too much. "A hybrid is an ornament! A purebreed like you is a sign of wealth and power. You are to remian silent at all times. I do not care for your constant mewing!" I became what she wanted. Her pretty little doll. Silent and obedient.
She never let me play with or talk to anyone. I grew up so lonely. My world consisted of my Mistress, her servants, and her fellow wealthy human friends. In this small world I was just a toy. Something that gave them joy to watch and talk about, but never given any kindness in return.
My only joy came from the large window in my room. I would stare out it for hours, and watch the humans walk freely about in the beautiful open world. So many different kinds of humans, and even many different hybrids. In this part of town however, the hybrid was always on a leash. They always looked sad. I saw myself in many of them. Trapped in a world of beauty, and money that we wanted nothing to do with. What we all wanted...was what lay beyond the iron gates. Freedom.
Oftentimes I cried myself to sleep. I wanted to be free to make my own choices. To have friends, and go where I wanted. There was a wildness in my blood that burned with a need I did not understand. A need that grew stronger with every sunset.
Sadly I was to find out what sick plans Mistress had in store for the rest of my captive life. "Yuki! Yuki come here!" I walked down the stairs at my Mistress's call. There was an older gentleman standing next to her. His eyes were as sharp and cold as hers as he studied me.
"Yes...she is quite beautiful. You did say you have her papers correct?" Mistress frowned. "Don't be a fool, of course I have her papers! You think I would allow anything but a purebreed under my roof?!" She seemed angry, but there was something else hidding in her gaze. Her attention snapped to me. "What are you gawking at?! Come here! This is Mr. Anthony. He is a very old firend of mine, and has made a rather promising proposition for you my dear." She turned and smiled at him, but I could feel my blood freezing in my veins. Something about the way she was talking, and how he kept staring me up and down as if appraising my value, frightened me.
"Mr. Anthony would like for me to breed you with his pureblood domestic white shorthair cat Phebas. Doesn't that sound lovely dear? Just imagine...you having kittens! Do you know how much they would be worth?! We must keep the bloodlines pure after all. Why just imagine if the hybrids died like the old wild beasts? If we went around mixing hybrids instead of keeping them pure they would have a heck of a time trying to purify the genetic codes again. It is our duty to protect them in case the hybrid plan fails. Besides...in nature cats mix with cats. None of that cats mixing with dogs or frogs or heaven forbid a fish!" Mr. Anthony snorted. "How absurd Maybel. Cats and fish? Really quite a disgusting thought." Mistress shook her head. "It has happened though! With that human DNA in them they can mix with anything now! Even humans!" They both laughed at the thought. What kind of human would lay with a lowly beast?
I just stood there in shock. I wanted nothing more than to be struck dead right there. They were honestly talking about violating me! She was gonna pay money to let some hybrid I have never met....rape me in the hopes that I get pregnant?! It was the most barbaric thing I have ever heard!
Mr. Anthony smiled at Mistess. "And the best part is that we can do this over and over again Maybel. Why my Phebas has been studding for Mrs. Wilson's cat Dianna for the last 5 years. Her last litter went for $20 million!" Her eyes lit up at that. My fate was sealed. I was to become her breeding farm for the rest of my life. A life of eternal hell. To be raped only to give birth...and then only to watch my children be taken from me before I even get to know them.
Finally I could not hold back the tears any longer. Mr. Anthony stared at me. His lips drawn into a tight line of displeasure. "Maybel what's wrong with your cat? Are those tears?" The way he said tears made it sound like I was being ungrateful. Like he expected me to be happy. My Mistress just smiled and waved her hands."Oh don't mind her. I bet they're tears of joy! No hybrids get treated this well! I spoil her rotten. Isn't that right Yuki?" She was smiling,but her eyes were like daggers. It was as if she were daring me to disagree with her. " Now go clean yourself up. Mr. Anthony and I have business to discuss." With that she shooed me away, and turned her back on me.
I ran to my room and threw myself onto the bed. It was so cruel! I never asked to be born! Not to this world! This beautifully unfair world. Where humans rule and thise of us who were unlucky enough to be half animal were treated like dumb beasts! Why does it have to be this way?! Maybe I wanted a life. To make my own choices. To have my own house with my own family! To pick someone I love, and who loved me in return!
It was then I saw the window out of the corner of my eye. I sat up and turned towards it. A thought came into my head, not for the first time, however this time I did not chase it away.
Slowly I went to the window. The light shinning through the glass made it seem as if the window called to me. It felt warm on my skin. When I opened it the fresh air greeted me with the scent of freedom. I looked down, and felt my face grow pale. The ground looked so far down. When I looked back up though I could see the sun. Red and inviting. The sky was just beginning to mark the end of the day. Pink and orange colored the sky. It was beautiful, and sad. The sun would die so night could be born. Sure enough though the sun is reborn every morning. I found the thought soothing. I closed my eyes and stuck one foot out. I was not afraid anymore. I was sure of my path. "I want to be reborn too."
A deep voice penetrated my resolve. "Are you really gonna jump you idiot?! You wanna throw your life away?! What makes you think you got it so bad?!" Startled, my eyes flew open as I searched for the one who spoke. He was sitting in the tree across from my window. His black hair blew wildly in the wind. His long tail hung lazily down the branch, but his golden eyes were narrowed and full of life as he stared right into my soul.
"Go ahead then. Since you think you have it so badly. Jump." I was still crying. Why was I letting this stranger stop me? "How dare you! You don't know! You have no idea what it is like with these 'people'. At least you are free!" He laughed, and I saw his fangs gleam in the light. "Free? Is that what you call this? Then I guess I can't deny it. I am free to eat a humans left over garbage, and hope I don't get caught. I am free to go where I please, and hope I don't get tranqed in the street by animal control. Scurring around. Slinking in the dark. Hidding in shadows and sewers with no home of my own!"
I flinched back as if struck. "It can be just as bad in this brick walled prison." This was the first time I was free to talk to someone else. The first time I had a choice. I knew one thing for though. I could not go through with my plan with him watching me. So I took a step back and sat on my window perch. He watched me sit down, and smiled. I felt my heart skip a beat as I watched him. He seemed so aloof and calm. "So...if you tell me more about your prison I'll tell you more about mine."
We talked every night for a week. He was a panther hybrid, and his name was Haruko. He had been created as a zoo exhibit. However when the plan for the zoo went under the humans decided they were just going to get rid of the hybrids. After all, no human wants an exotic hybrid as a pet. They were too unstable. Haruko managed to escape by killing the human who was to euthanize him.I blanched at the thought of having to kill someone, but he just shrugged. "Sometimes you have to do what is needed to survive. That's how it is out here."
Haruko wanted to get away from all of this. No owner, no humans. No city. Just a tiny cabin deep in the woods by the montains. Maybe a family to join him. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and I wanted to go there with him. He kissed me when I said that. It was the first time someone had kissed me. I felt my face flush a deep red, and he laughed at me. His laugh was deep and comforting. It was all like a beautiful dream.
Unfortunately I was awoken by the reminder of my upcoming rape. Mistress was very happy. It seemed to be all she could talk about. The night before I was to become Phebas's breeding buddy Haruko came to me. He was mad with furry. "Yuki my love, you make me so happy. I want to always protect you, and stay by your side. I can't stand the thought of this other male touching you." His eyes almost glowed with rage. I took his hand. "There is nothing we can do about it though. But, Haruko I wish it was you." That was all he needed to hear. The glow of hatred fadded from his eyes and was replaced by sadness, and with a longing I had never known before that moment. He kissed me deeply and everything else fadded away.
The next morning Mistress woke me early so that I could be groomed and perfect for Phebas. When Mr. Anthony arrived with Phebas I was so scared I thought I was gonna be sick. They gave us a private room. I was shocked. Although looking back I am sure they were watching us from somewhere. Phebas looked sadly at me. He was much older than me. Maybe 45. His white hair was cut short, and his mustache was full. "I take no pleasure in this Miss Yuki. But unfortunately I must do as my Master wishes. You are not my first partner, so take some comfort in knowing that I will not hurt you. It will all be over quickly." When he moved closer his nostrils flared a bit, and he smiled warmly at me. "Happily I see you desired someone else. My best wishes for you both." He took my hand and led me to the bed. I closed my eyes and pretended it was Haruko. Warm tears fell down my cheeks.
A few weeks later my Mistress had me tested. I was indeed pregnant. She was thrilled. I think I'll charge $5 million a kitten. Good job my dear!" I felt so disgusted. She was already talking about selling my babies. I hadn't even had time to think about them. I didn't even know who the father was. But I hoped it was Haruko. Maybe then Mistress would let me keep them. It was a nice dream. Oe that I was keenly aware would never come true.
Throughout the pregnancy I was terribly ill. I also hadn't seen Haruko since the night we made love. I began to feel worse thinking he had just used me.
Then one night he was there. I saw him in the tree across from my window. He was staring at me. I asked the maids Iif I could have some fresh air. They gladly opened them. "I think I shall go to bed. Please feel free to leave." They nodded and left. They didn't like having to wait on me anymore than I liked having them around. Haruko was in my room as soon as the door closed. He ran to my bed and held me in his arms.
"I am so sorry my precious Yuki. I didn't mean to be gone so long. The animal control partols have been growing. It is hard to get around. I think someone musthave spoted me and called them." He looked down and his smile widened. "Yuki. You. Are you pregnant?" I nodded. "I do not know if they are yours or his though." He shrugged at my remark totally unbothered. "You chose me first. You are the one I love. Your children will be mine. Even if I am not the father I will still love them as my own." He placed his head against my swollen stomach. "I love you Yuki." I stroked his hair. "And I love you Haruko."
"Noooo! How dare you!! Tramp!! Whore!! Ungrateful beast!" My Mistress slapped me for the 4th time. My babies had been born. I was relieved to see that one looked just like Haruko. When my Mistress had them tested they came back as half domestic cat and half panther. Her plans to sell my babies was ruined, but what was going to happen now was much worse. "I will not have these disgusting mixed abominations in my house!! Matilda put them in a box and throw them out on the street!!" I cried out."They'll die!!" She slapped me again. "How dare you speak back to me Yuki." I held my babies tightly. "Please...let me raise them at least! Please don't send my babies out to die." She stared down at me. Her eyes were cold and her voice cut like ice. "Until they can walk then they are gone." She turned her back on me and walked out of my room. She could never look at me after that day. She had finally noticed that her pet was no longer her obedient toy. She saw that I had a mind of my own, and it disgusted her.
Haruko kissed each of our children. "Two girls and two boys. They're so beautiful Yuki." The oldest had snow white hair and blue eyes just like me. Her tail was long and skinny. She was so full of life and constantly tried to crawl the farthest away. "Kyoko."
The second born had black hair with white tips on his ears and tail. His eyes were big and green. He constantly looked at everything around him. Taking it all in with a smile. His tail was quite fluffy and adorable. "Let's name him after you Haruko." He smiled and kissed my cheek.
The third was the most like him. Black wild hair, and a long black tail. His eyes were gold. He was the most panther out of them all, and Haruko beamed proudly. "Meeko." He kissed Meeko's tiny head.
The youngest had small grey ears, a tiny grey tail, and big brown eyes. She was so small, and weak that I was afraid she would die. Her little hand wrapped around the tip of Haruko's finger. "Peeko."
I'll never forget that night as long as I live. The man I loved gazing adoringly at our babies and then looking lovingly and proudly into my eyes. "I love you Yuki."
Our happy time as a family was terribly short. My Mistress deadline was coming. Soon my precious babies would be taken from me.
Kyoko was always trying to stand up. I knew she would figure out how to walk soon. It wouldn't take long for Haruko to figure it out either. Just from watching Kyoko's failures I was sure he would be the first to walk, and then she would be even more determined. Meeko could care less about walking. He seemed fine just sitting by the window. Peeko was still weak, and usually wanted me to hold her. I knew they would not make it long on their own.
Haruko had a plan. If only we could hide the fact that our children could walk. If only long enough to find somewhere to escape. Maybe it would work. He kissed me for the last time and disappeared into the night to find out sanctuary.
It was hard trying to keep the kids from walking around when the servants were around. Mistress would not come into my room, so she relied on them to tell her if my babies could walk. I always kept the door closed, but it didn't stop the children from trying to get out. It was only natural though. To want to know what was on the other side of the door. To know that there was more than these 4 walls. They had long grown bored of staring out the window. They now wanted to go to that world of sunlight. Only Peeko would stay by my side. Haruko had been gone for 4 months. Our babies were now 3, and I could not hide them anymore.
Then that dreadful day. Mistress caught Kyoko walking around outside my room while I had been asleep. She came in to tell me that my deadline was up. They could walk, and to her that ment the could fend for themselves. I screamed as the servants came in to take my babies.
That's when Haruko burst into the house through my window. " He growled at my Mistress. She screamed and ran out of the room. I could her her yelling for someone to call animal control. We didn't have much time. Haruko turned to me and smiled calmly. He extended his hand to me. "Let's take our family home." I smiled and took his hand. Together we grabbed our children. He grabed Meeko and Kyoko and ran out the door. I grabbed Haruko and Peeko and followed. "I found it Yuki. That cabin we dreamed about. I promise I'll never let them take our babies! Even if I have to kill them all. We will have our dream! He made it to the door first.
Animal Control had arrived. They had been on high alert of the area since the tip about the escaped panther came in. Finally their paitence had paid off. Since their target was known as dangerous they were armed with guns in place of their usual tranquilizers. I was frozen in horror as they shot my beloved Haruko right in front of me. He must have known they were there, because right before they opened fire he had thrown Meeko and Kyoko out of danger.
He tried to keep going his instinct to protect his family all that held him up. They shot again. Haruko's roar of defiance still haunts dreams. But in the end he fell. And when he did they took him away. Put his body in a black bag like someone's discarded trash and threw him into the back of a truck. His blood stained the sidewalk. I felt a part of me die right there. The part that had been my hope and my future.
"Do not forget to take this one too. I have no need of such a disloyal and dangerous animal." They handcuffed me and put a muzzle over my mouth. My babies were taken away. I didn't even get to say goodbye. The men took me to the pound where I would spend the rest of my days, just siting in a tiny concrete cell.
Where I once had a window I now had bars. My arms, once filled with the warmth that was my children, lay empty at my sides. My heart that had been full now had a giant hole that could never be filled. I didn't even want to try.
I don't know what happened to my children. Maybe they were in a cell as well. Truthfully part of me hoped they were killed too. That way when I die I shall be reunited with my family. A guard slid a bowl of food and water into my cell. "Come on girl. You gotta eat something." I never moved from that corner. It had been a week. My body was finally shutting down. Everything was becoming blurry and dull. In my final moments my brief 20 years flashed before my eyes.
I wish the world had been different. Why couldn't the humans see? See how wrong this was. Was our dream truely so horrible? All I wanted was to live with my family. Was that wrong? I wanted to love and be loved. Was that wrong? I wanted freedom. Was that wrong? The end was here. "Please God... let me be reborn with Haruko and our babies. Let us be free..." Blessed darkness after a long nightmare.
~End~
Thank you for reading.
*a note from the author*
This story takes place in an alternate world where all of Earths creatures died off due to an illness caused by human experimentation. Their DNA was preserved and used to create human animal hybrids. The use of the human DNA was to protect these creatures from dying out from the disease again. Even though the hybrids are half human they are still treated the way their ancestors were. They are often looked down on or treated like slaves. Kept on leashes, put in zoos, euthanized, and even bred to continue the blood lines. They cannot own property, drive, or get jobs. It is a world that I feel can mirrior our own at times. Especially when it comes to subjects of race or even what goes on in other countries. What is the price of freedom and who are we to look down on others? After all aren't we all human?
~end author's note~
