The Cuthbert Catwatch Society and the Stranger in Town

The Cuthbert Catwatch Society and the Stranger in Town

The moon hung low over Cuthbert as the patrol gathered near the abandoned house on Pine Street, their usual meeting spot before making their rounds. Boo sat tall, her calico fur pristine, while Midnight, ever the shadow, lingered at the edges. Willow and Nosey whispered excitedly, tails flicking as they exchanged playful swats.

Spot, however, sat a little apart from the others, his ears perked toward a dark shape near the porch.

“I got someone you should meet,” Spot said, his voice unusually serious.

The others turned as the shape moved into the dim light—a sleek black and white tuxedo cat with piercing golden eyes and long whiskers. She sat with the kind of presence that suggested she wasn’t to be messed with, though she looked distinctly unimpressed with the gathering.

“This,” Spot said, “is Willie Mae. She’s my sister.”

Nosey’s ears perked up. “You have a sister?”

Midnight’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were an only cat.”

“I never said that,” Spot countered, flicking his tail. “She’s just… not from here.”

Boo studied Willie Mae. “Where you from?”

Willie Mae’s gaze was sharp, her voice slow and measured. “South Tampa. Used to be a patrol cat.”

The group exchanged glances. Patrol cats were no joke. A city patrol meant dealing with things far worse than anything Cuthbert had to offer.

“Well,” Boo said, giving her a respectful nod, “you’re welcome to join us.”

Willie Mae huffed. “Ain’t lookin’ to join anything.”

Nosey’s whiskers twitched. “Then why are you here?”

Willie Mae flicked her tail. “Spot wanted me to meet y’all. And I wanted to see what kind of operation he’s got himself wrapped up in.”

Willow grinned. “And?”

Willie Mae shrugged. “Ain’t sure yet.”

Boo smirked. “Fair enough. Stick around and see.”

Willie Mae just flicked an ear and settled into the shadows, watching but saying little. She had no intention of becoming part of a group again. But life, as she well knew, had a way of changing plans.

A Stranger in the Night

Later that evening, as the group made their rounds, they picked up on something unusual near the back of the grocery store.

A man crouched in the dim alley, rummaging through a discarded grocery bag. His clothes were worn, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled out a half-eaten loaf of bread. He glanced around, his face lined with weariness and something deeper—shame.

“He’s stealing,” Midnight murmured.

“He’s hungry,” Willie Mae corrected, stepping forward before she even realized she was doing it.

The others looked at her in surprise. She had kept her distance all night, and now, suddenly, she was engaged.

Nosey’s ears flattened. “Should we help him?”

Boo’s tail flicked as she studied the man. “We help when we can.”

The cats watched silently as the man noticed them. Instead of shooing them away, he sighed and smiled. “Well, look at you,” he murmured, his voice deep and warm. “A whole crew of fine cats.”

He reached out, not expecting them to come closer, but leaving his palm open anyway.

Willow, ever bold, approached first, brushing against his knee. The man chuckled softly. “You remind me of a cat I had when I was young. Smart, like you.”

Spot sat beside him and let out a loud, clear, “HELLO.”

The man chuckled. “Now that,” he said, shaking his head, “is somethin’ you don’t hear every day.”

Willie Mae, still watching from a short distance, finally stepped closer.

“You got a name?” she asked.

The man looked at her, surprised, then nodded. “Elijah.”

She studied him for a long moment before sitting beside him. “Used to know some folks like you,” she said. “Back in Tampa.”

Elijah gave her a knowing look. “City cat, huh? You know how it is.”

She nodded. She did.

A Plan in Motion

That night, the Cuthbert Catwatch Society got to work. They knew just the people who might help Elijah—a couple who ran the local hardware store, known for their kindness to strays. If they were kind to cats, maybe they’d be kind to a man in need.

Willow and Nosey led Elijah toward the shop’s back entrance early in the morning. Boo made sure the shop owners noticed him. Spot sat outside and let out his loudest, clearest “HELLO!” just as Elijah passed by.

The shop owners came out. And just like that, a conversation started.

By the end of the day, Elijah had been given a meal. By the end of the week, he had a job sweeping up at the store. And before long, he had a place to sleep that wasn’t outside.

Willie Mae’s Reflection

That night, Willie Mae sat on a porch railing, watching as Elijah settled into his new life.

Boo hopped up beside her. “Didn’t think you’d jump in like that.”

Willie Mae twitched an ear. “Man needed help. I wasn’t gonna sit back and watch.”

Boo smirked. “Guess you’re part of the crew now.”

Willie Mae huffed. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Boo chuckled. “Sure, sure.”

Below them, Elijah sat on his new porch, scratching behind Spot’s ears.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

Spot purred. “HELLO,” he replied.

And the Cuthbert Catwatch Society, now with a reluctant but invaluable new member, faded into the night, off to their next