The Wicked Cat by Christopher Pike Page B

Watch said. “Hike deep enough into the forest and you’ll see a few of those nonexistent wolves turn into people.”
    â€œLet’s get back,” Adam said. “I need some ice cream.”
    They started back down the path. The cat took no time making its intentions clear. It followed them and Sally was delighted.
    At least none of them had to carry it, Adam thought. He was worried about picking up any stray animal. It could have rabies, or worse.
    Back in town they went to the Frozen Cow, the only ice-cream place in town, where only vanilla was served. Lately, though, they’d convinced the owner to put chocolate syrup on their ice cream so they could haw a little variety. Each of them ordered a dish with two scoops and plenty of syrup. They had just sat down to eat when the cat jumped up on the table and tried to lick Cindy’s dish. Before the animal could get to it, though, Cindy shoved It off the table.
    â€œHey!” Sally said. “Don’t be so rough.”
    â€œAn animal shouldn’t be up on a table,” Cindy said.
    The cat didn’t seem to agree.
    Right then Cindy let out a howl of pain.
    The cat had scratched Cindy’s lower leg. Scratched it bad, Adam noticed. Cindy was already bleeding from four distinct lines. Cindy started to kick the cat away when Sally jumped up to stop her.
    â€œYou started it,” Sally said. “You hurt it first.”
    â€œI didn’t hurt it,” Cindy protested. “I just pushed it out of the way.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what Hitler said about Poland at the start of World War Two,” Watch remarked.
    â€œI’m bleeding,” Cindy went on. “And that cat is responsible. Get it out of here.”
    Sally reached down and picked up the cat. But not to get rid of it. “No,” she said “Animals have rights, too. I think you should apologize to the cat, Cindy.”
    Cindy snorted and picked up a white napkin to wipe her leg. “Like it would understand me,” she snapped.
    Sally scratched the top of the cat’s head. “Catsare some of the smartest animals there are. They are descended from lions.”
    â€œAnd we all know how popular those are in Disney films,” Watch remarked under his breath.
    They returned to eating their ice cream, while Cindy simmered and Sally spoon-fed the cat half her dish. The cat enjoyed the vanilla ice cream, but not the chocolate syrup. When they were finished Cindy angrily left to go home for a bandage. Watch and Adam followed Sally home. The cat was sticking close to Sally now, never moving more than a foot from her legs. Sally seemed to enjoy the attention.
    â€œCan you believe that Cindy?” Sally said. “She is so insensitive. She could have broken the cat’s neck shoving it like that.”
    â€œI suspect this cat could jump off a three-story building and not get hurt,” Watch said.
    â€œCindy got a pretty nasty scratch,” Adam said. “Cuts like that can be dangerous. I don’t think you can blame Cindy for getting upset.”
    Sally was annoyed. “Why do you always take her side?”
    â€œMaybe he does so because your side usuallylands us in a situation where we almost get killed,” Watch said.
    â€œI don’t always take her side,” Adam replied. “I just think you act rashly sometimes, is all.”
    Sally snorted. “I am spontaneous, not rash. There’s a difference.”

2
    S ally’s parents weren’t home, but the guys stayed anyway and played chess. Actually, Sally and Adam played together as a team against Watch, who was extremely good at the game. When Watch managed to take their queen only twenty moves into the game, Sally scowled.
    â€œHow can we beat this guy?” she asked. “He practices every night against his computer.”
    â€œI know this sounds weird but my computer refuses to play with me anymore,” Watch said.
    â€œYour computer is a