Kevin's Kitty Rescue: The Novel

Chapter One

Kevin was, in a word... Quiet. At twenty-five years old, he had no friends, no real acquaintances, and half a dozen cats. Which kinda made sense, as he was the sole owner of Kevin's Kitty Rescue. It was a small non-for-profit organisation based out of his home. He'd been running it since he was nineteen... A few months after his life was turned upside down...

With a groan, Kevin dropped into the driver's seat of his dad's old car. Note: DADS old car. Which he, Kevin, was reminded of daily. It didn't matter that he'd rebuilt it from basically scrap over the last eighteen months. It didn't matter that Kevin paid the registration, insurance, fuel, and all associated costs. Doesn't even matter that he ran the idea past his father, to begin with. His dad was just a prick like that... Waited until Kevin had rebuilt it to factory, before staking his claim... At least he was 'kind enough' to let Kevin drive it too and from his university.

With a sigh, Kevin twisted the key, listening to the engine rumble into life. Hitting play on the cassette player (ask your parents), Kevin put the old girl into gear and made his slow commute home. Slow, being the operative word. He didn't have work today, so he wasn't in any rush to be home. Best case scenario, his father was already passed out drunk. Worst case, he was still drinking... Kevin's mother, Bianca, had no work-life skills. She was an amazing housewife, an amazing mother and Kevin loved her dearly. Hell, Gerald, Kevin's father, was once a decent man that loved her too. But after a spinal injury turned into a morphine addiction, which in turn turned to alcohol... There wasn't much of that good man any more... He wasn't paralyzed either. A beam fell on him from the story above and crushed a vertebra. It had taken a couple of years to recover, but other than a sore back when he lifted something heavy, he was fine. At least while he was sober... The settlement they received was more than enough for him to drink himself to oblivion for the next decade...

But, as all good things must end. Kevin got home. His mother was just about to lock the door when she saw him. Her wide smile was in stark contrast to the swelling over her eye. No amount of concealer can cover swelling... Getting out of the car, Kevin approached his mother and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Everything okay, ma?"

She sighed, "Yes dear. Your father went out for cigarettes and ended up in a pub. I'm off to collect him."

Kevin just nodded slowly, before giving his mother a firm hug. There wasn't much to say any more... Kevin's hope was that with the completion of his masters in business, he could start his own company. In time, he'd help his mother escape and put his father in rehab. If rehab failed, his father was on his own... Or at least, that was hopeful thinking for the time being. With a final goodbye, he smiled at the sound of the dairy cattle on the farm their home backed onto. The large animals were by the back fence grazing like they did this time of year. At least they knew what to expect from life.

It was a couple of hours later when Kevin heard a car pull up. Kevin had peeled vegetables in preparation for his parents' return. Anything to help his mother keep on his drunken father's good side. She didn't need any more bruises. So it was a little strange when someone knocked... With a sigh, Kevin headed to the door and ended his world as he knew it.

"Are you Kevin Croombe?" Asked a man in a blue uniform.

"Yes, is this about my father?" Kevin replied, when the boys in blue showed up, it was always about his father.

"We have some bad news, about your parents..."

Kevin listened in horror to the two police officers. It was surprisingly brief. When his mother arrived at the pub to collect her husband, he didn't want to leave. It was the bartender that had called, not him. When she tried to make him leave, he struck out, knocking her to the floor. That's when the police were called. By the time they arrived, Gerald had already forced his dazed wife into the boot of her own car and started driving. At the sight of the red and blue flashing lights, he ran. They stopped chasing straight away, but with his drunken stupor, Gerald kept driving faster and faster. Five minutes after the police lost Gerald, Gerald hit an embankment. Without a seatbelt, he was ejected from the car. Kevin's mother, Bianca, trapped inside the boot, was not. And like that, in a single act of drunken horror... Kevin was alone...

It took a week to make all the arrangements. The family lawyer, the same man that gave Gerald his injury payout, now gave what was left to Kevin. Along with a small life insurance policy from his mother. Kevin had enough to honour his mother in death, as he loved her in life. Kevin's father was cremated and dumped in a landfill. With the last of the guests gone, Kevin was finally alone with his memories.

The drive was done in silence. He pulled over in a nearby park. Kevin didn't want his car left out where it would inconvenience anyone. With a sniff and a wipe of his tears, Kevin started walking. At midnight, there was little traffic on this side of town. But just enough that he figured someone would spot him before the end. His body would join his mothers. He'd already bought the plot and headstone. And soon enough, he was in the middle of the bridge.

With a deep breath, Kevin leaned on the railing and looked below. As expected for the dry season, the river was split. There was a small rocky outcrop below the bridge, like a tiny deserted island. It made it look like there were two parallel rivers for a while. But as quickly as it split, it rejoined. It was also a beautiful and peaceful spot. With a final wipe of his tears, Kevin threw his leg over the railing.

*Mew*

Kevin paused.

*Mew*

Twisting his head around, he couldn't help but wonder... Pulling his leg back over, Kevin made his way to the roadside. Right there, on the edge of the road, was a little tabby kitten...

*Mew* It cried pathetically.

For whatever reason, Kevin chose that moment, to live. Ripping his shirt off his body, he gently wrapped it around the tabby kitten and scooped it up into his arms.

"Shhh, I got you, you're safe now."

Now Kevin could see it up close, he could see it was badly injured. It's left forelimb looked almost flat, and it pointed in an odd direction. Without a second to think, he pulled out his phone and googled the nearest animal hospital.

An hour later, he was signing paperwork for over ten thousand dollars in medical costs...

A week later, he brought home his three-legged kitten...

"You got a name, little girl?"

*Mew*

"Didn't think so. How about... Sable?"

*Mew!*

"Sable it is then. Now," Kevin carried his precious cargo into the master bedroom. The movers had been quick. All his parents' belongings had been moved to storage and his new bedroom decor had been delivered hours earlier. "You're gonna sleep in here with me for now. When you need something, let me know and I'll help you. There's plenty of food and water, and I've got a litter tray on the toilet. Gonna teach you good habits!"

*mew*

***

Six years later, Kevin had quite a reputation in the local veterinarian world. He was cool, quiet, barely spoke to people, which was a shame, as he was quite handsome. But what really made his rep, was his drive to rescue his 'kitties' as he called them. Whether it was a stray giving birth in a junkyard, an injury due to a vehicle strike or someone reporting an abused animal. Kevin was the go-to guy. He'd even gone as far as paying a family a thousand dollars for their cat after he caught wind, they were going to use it to bait dogs. Marla, as he named her, ruled their little roost. She enjoyed sitting up on the fridge and staring down at everyone and everything. But Kevin knew when he was alone, and Sable wasn't cuddled up... sometimes... only sometimes, Marla would settle herself in for a cuddle and some pats. Only to quickly run away when she was caught out. Inside she was just as sweet as all the others.

With Sable and Marla, there was also Gemma, Sue, Grace, and Harriet. These were HIS kitties. Each and every one of them came to him broken in some way. Gemma was mauled by dogs leaving her with a torn ear and various scars. Sue was burned in a house fire. Grace and Harriet were found tied up in a plastic bag beside a river. Their four siblings weren't so lucky. Each loved him in their own ways and Kevin loved them all without reserve. But Sable... Sable was special. Without fail, every evening, she would share his bed. She was also his alarm clock, licking his nose and purring until he woke up and fed them. If not for her unending love and affection, he'd have off-ed himself years ago. Now she kept him happy, reminding him he was very much loved and needed.

Which was a good thing, because today, Kevin desperately needed his kitties. It was the anniversary of his parent's death, which on its own, was not a good thing. He'd gotten a call about a malnourished cat in an abandoned home's backyard. When he'd arrived at the property, it was one of those houses with car bodies in the yard. From the smell of the place, it seemed that maybe it was less, abandoned, and more, owners were arrested for cooking meth. But... Kitties were kitties, and he wasn't about to let possible needle sticks and junkies keep him from a poor kitty.

It was a little over an hour before he spotted the kitty. Scrawny, black and grey with little socks. It was missing patches of fur. And was hissing madly at him from under a car body. There was metal stacked up on it from three sides, so the cat didn't have any escape routes.

"It's okay little kitty, I won't hurt you," Kevin said, pulling out his emergency kitty bag.

With all the high tech equipment in the world, the 'emergency kitty bag,' just held some steamed, shredded chicken.

"Come on, I'll put it over here," Kevin reached as far forward as he could, under the car and placed a small handful of chicken on the ground. "I'll be right here until you feel safe to come out. There's more chicken if you do."

Then, it was the waiting game... An hour later, he pretended not to notice the cat as it kept forward for its meal. Kevin waited for it to back off again, before placing a second, smaller amount, slightly closer. Soon enough, the cat was literally eating from his hand, right up until he grabbed it. Then it was like holding a blender, by the blades, on the highest setting. Which is why Kevin was wearing a gardening glove on his opposite hand. A moment later, he was holding the cat tightly, while it snarled and bit at the glove. Wrapping it like a baby in a blanket, he was able to gain control and made his way back to the car.

In the boot, he had a pet carrier already set up and waiting with a bowl of water. So after slightly loosening the blanket, he placed the snarling feline into the carrier.

"It's okay, kitty. I'm gonna look after you," Kevin said, placing the open packet of steamed chicken in the carrier.

With the cat secured, Kevin washed his wounds with antiseptic and climbed into the driver's seat.

"Car, call vet hospital."

"Calling.... Calling... Call-Hills veterinary, you're speaking with Mary."

"Hi Mary, I'll be there in ten with a patient," Kevin said, robotically. He was well known and they all recognised his voice when he called.

"See you soon, Kevin." She hung up immediately.

He liked Mary. She was his age and he was pretty sure they went to the same school. She also understood that he wasn't comfortable talking to people. If he was a veterinarian, he wouldn't talk to anyone at all. But between seeking medical care for his kitties, and rehoming, it was something he endured. People like Mary just made it easier for him.

True to his word, ten minutes later, Kevin pulled up in the parking lot. Checking on his latest kitty, he smiled, seeing the packet of chicken was empty. The cat was curled up in the back, watching him.

"It's okay, we're at the vet. Once you're checked out, I'll take you home and feed you up."

With a smile, Kevin picked up the carrier and made his way inside. Mary was already waiting for him inside and directed him straight into the emergency room. He was here often enough with sometimes very injured cats, they just took him straight in, unless they had their own emergency going on. Kevin appreciated it too, as he felt uncomfortable around people he didn't know, and customers always wanted to ask him about whatever injured cat he brought in.

Placing the carrier on the table, Kevin took his seat. This was all old for him. He'd sit while the vet did their thing. If there was a problem he'd pay and they'd fix it. Very rarely had he put a cat down, it was the absolute last resort. And since people sponsored him and made donations, he never skimped on the pain medication. His kitties were his family, and his family was to be cared for. Kevin sat quietly, as the vet gently removed the cat from the carrier. It was actually a she, which was kinda typical at this point.

"She's underweight, needs a good feed, but otherwise fine," the vet said, placing the growling cat back in the carrier.

Kevin just smiled, grabbing the carrier he left immediately. There'd be an email by the time he was home, and he'd simply pay what he owed online. While he didn't have much choice but to speak with the receptionist on duty, the vet themselves, he had no idea what their names' were. Which suited him fine.

The drive home was just as quick. The vet was thankfully local. Pulling up in the driveway, Kevin climbed out and grabbed the carrier. Studiously ignoring his father's old car, Kevin went inside. And waiting just inside, as per usual, was Sable. All smiles and purrs as she hobbled up on three legs.

"Hello my dear," Kevin smiled, giving her a soft stroke. "Let me get our guest settled in and I'll get everyone some dinner."

*Meow*

Kevin smiled and took the carrier to the spare room. It was set up as a jungle gym. The room was filled with toys, climbing structures and plenty of hidey holes filled with soft blankets. Placing the carrier in a darkened corner, Kevin opened the door and stepped back. Double-checking that there was fresh food and water set out, Kevin turned to leave.

"You're safe here kitty. I'll look after you till you're better, then, who knows. I might just keep you safe here."

Closing the door behind him, Kevin went to the kitchen. Marla was in her usual spot on the fridge as he walked in. She seldom came to greet him. Sable was already sitting by her dish. The sudden impact on his leg informed him of Gemma's arrival. The others were probably sleeping. But that was okay, none of them stole food. Kevin always made sure there was plenty. Tonight was tuna loaf. It was a homemade recipe he'd developed with the help of the vet and a breeder. It was everything a kitty would need in a single dish. It was also pretty good on toast when Kevin forgot to get something out of the freezer for himself.

Heading for the lounge, he was passed by Harriet making her way to dinner. A thump from upstairs told him where Sue and Grace were. Sure enough the scampering of paws down the stairs as heralded their arrival. Kitties were fed. Kevin decided to order pizza. It had been a long day and Kevin was ready for it to end.

***

*Mew* Lick lick lick lick. *Mew*

Kevin groaned and stretched. "Good morning to you too, Sable."

Kevin opened his eyes. This has been the routine for years now. Laying flat on his back, Sable perched on his chest. Her single paw gently flexed claws into his blanket. Her quiet purring brought a smile to his face. Finding her saved his life. He couldn't help but love her.

Reaching up, Kevin scratched her around the ears and under her chin. If cats could smile, Sable was beaming. But that was also the cue that Kevin was getting up. So after a minute, Sable jumped awkwardly to the floor. Kevin watched her with a sad smile. With her missing paw, she wasn't as fast as the others. Even poor Sue could move around easier with all her burn scars.

But, enough musing, kitties need food. Not that they actually needed food, there was always plenty. His kitties were spoiled enough to want FRESH food... which Kevin was happy to supply. So with a groan, he kicked off the blanket and got up. Throwing on a pair of jeans and a shirt, Kevin went downstairs. Unlike dinnertime, all six kitties were in attendance this morning. Harriet and Grace both got underfoot as he walked but he expertly stepped around their attempts to love him to... well not death, but certainly a fall. When Kevin reached the fridge, he reached up and gave Marla a quick scratch. She always tilted her head and pushed into his hand. She loved attention but had a reputation to uphold. So Kevin pulled away before he felt teeth.

Breakfast today was steamed chicken and rice. A modification to the tuna loaf he gave them the previous evening. While they all ate, Kevin took a moment to refill their biscuits and check their water. Satisfied, he served up an extra portion and went to check his newest guest.

Opening the door, Kevin caught sight of her tail darting back inside the carrier. Kevin didn't expect much else, so he strode in and placed the bowl of food by the entrance.

"You eat that and come out when you're ready. I've got shopping to do, so I'll be back later."

With that, Kevin turned and left.

***

"Filthy humans..." Bastet growled.

Since the fall of Greece, the goddess of cats had resorted to this form of lifestyle. Subsisting on humanities remains while looking for a way to return to her own power. Not that there are any humans worth giving a gift... These last ones were the worst... The house smelled awful and the smoke they blew in her face made her ill...

"I wonder how long until this one starts his torture..."

With a groan, Bastet ate her meal in silence. Completely ignorant of how high a quality meal it really was. But, as she ate, she also heard the sound as the human left. And with the door to her... cell... left open, perhaps she could find an escape? With that in mind, Bastet crept from the room where she was held and ran straight into a three-legged cat.

"Oh, you poor thing..." Bastet sighed.

*Meow*

"No, I'm here to help. I'm going to get you away from that monster-"

*Hiss!*

"What? You're clearly confused dear, your missing an arm..."

*Meow... meow, hiss! Mew*

"Dear, he keeps you locked up in..." Bastet stopped, she was suddenly surrounded by an assortment of injured felines. All bar two, who looked relatively fine, but had a look in their eye that told Bastet they had suffered.

*Meow*

"He did?"

*Meow*

"For all of you? That's just... awful... I wasn't sure if there were any good humans left. Are you sure none of you wish to leave?"

All six kitties at once *Hiss*

"Fine, fine. If you love him that much, I'll leave you with a small blessing. But I'm not staying... just... Tell the human I said thank you."

With that settled, all the kitties went back to their duties... duties meaning grooming, sleeping or chasing one another around the house. Bastet on the other hand, fiddled with a window latch until she managed to pry it open. With a hiss, she shoved the window open wide enough to crawl out onto the sill. A last look behind her, the only one still watching was the three-legged tabby. Bastet was leaving but wasn't going far. She had to be sure about this human. If he really was as good as they said, this may be her chance. If not, she only hoped the cats would forgive her in time. Sometimes slavery, especially comfortable slavery, was preferable to freedom.

***

Kevin pulled up at home. The armful of perishables was all he needed to buy. So it was a single trip to the boot and Kevin was heading inside. As per usual, Sable was waiting by the door. Sue was lounging under a window, Marla on the fridge, Grace, and Harriet were playing in the lounge. Today, the ambush came from behind the couch, and Gemma was attached to his leg. All in all, a usual greeting.