Catboy - Eric Walters [46]
“He looks like he’s trying to figure out what happened,” Simon said.
“He is trying to figure it out. Raccoons are very smart.”
“I read that, but if he was really smart he would have read the advertisement for the new condos and warned the colony,” Simon suggested.
“Maybe he did, but they didn’t listen, because I know that Rocky is particularly smart.” I took a couple of steps toward him.
“Mr. Singh knocked down the fence!” I called out. “He used a forklift.”
Rocky looked at me. I didn’t know if he understood, but he was listening.
“He did it so we could trap all the cats. We’re not going to do anything bad with them. We’re trying to relocate the colony,” I said. I thought he might need an explanation as to why all of this was happening. “You know, with the condos coming and everything, we have to move them.”
“I thought he’d already read that,” Simon said.
I ignored Simon and sat down on the pavement so Rocky and I were practically eye to eye, separated by only a dozen feet or so.
“Taylor, what are you doing?” Simon demanded. “He could bite you or something.”
“I’m okay,” I said over my shoulder.
Rocky stared at me intently. He studied me the way he’d been studying the fence.
“I wanted to talk to you about Hunter,” I said. “Maybe you don’t know him by that name. He’s the big black cat with the white patch on his forehead that looks like a star,” I said, pointing to my forehead.
Rocky looked thoughtful.
“You know him. He’s your buddy, the cat you share meals with sometimes.”
I could have sworn Rocky nodded his head. I couldn’t help but laugh, and in response I thought Rocky smiled.
“I need to find Hunter,” I said. “If he stays here, he might die.”
Rocky stopped smiling.
“If you can show me where he is, I can trap him and take him to the new place. He’ll be safe. We need to bring him along.”
“Taylor, he’s a raccoon,” Simon called out.
I turned around. Simon was looking at me like I was crazy.
“I know what type of animal he is,” I said. “And I also know we have to find Hunter. Do you have a better idea how to do that?”
He shrugged. “I guess not.”
I turned back to Rocky. “I know Hunter could probably survive, find another place around here to live. And I know you’d miss him, but those other cats, they’re going to need him. Without him, some of them, especially the younger ones, won’t make it.” I paused. “They need him, and I need you to help me find him. Please.”
Rocky didn’t move. He sat there with a studious look on his face. If he were a person, I would have been sure he understood and was thinking about what I’d said, deciding if he should trust me, deciding whether or not to take me to Hunter. But he wasn’t a person.
“Do you want me to try it in Korean?” Simon asked.
“What?”
“Do you want me to try to explain it to him in Korean?” Simon repeated.
“What makes you think he can understand Korean?” I asked.
“What makes you think he can understand English? Taylor, he doesn’t understand any languages. He’s a raccoon.”
“If he did understand a language, it would be English. That’s the language that’s all around him.”
“Maybe if he was a chubby guy in a fur coat with a mask he would, but he’s an animal.”
“Are you saying dogs don’t understand things? Commands, orders, things like sit or come or fetch or—”
Rocky abruptly got up and rambled into the junkyard.
“Where do you think he’s going?” Simon asked.
“I guess there’s only one way to find out,” I said.
Twenty-Seven
Rocky waddled quickly. We had to trot to keep up. I was surprised by how fast he was able to go. He was headed straight for the colony. I had to fight the urge to yell to Simon I told you so, but I knew it wouldn’t have been very nice. Besides, it wasn’t like Rocky had led us anywhere or to anyone, yet. He could be headed for the only part of the yard that still had cars and shelter.
He had almost reached the first of the remaining wrecks, so I picked up my pace. I didn’t want to lose sight of him. Despite my best efforts, he rounded the wreck and vanished.