Pawsitively Swindled by Melissa Erin Jackson

Author:Melissa Erin Jackson [Jackson, Melissa Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, mystery, paranormal, paranormal mystery, cozy mystery, witches, cats
ISBN: 9781735150000
Publisher: Ringtail Press

Chapter 15

When the light faded, Amber found herself standing on a stretch of sidewalk that ringed a play area full of kids. Happy laughter and squeals surrounded her as children swung on swings, hung from jungle gyms, and slid down slides. A gaggle of ten-year-old girls played hopscotch, a pair of boys went past on their bikes, and a few adults sat on benches closer to the younger kids, though they were paying more attention to each other than their children.

Perhaps that was because amongst the children were dozens of cats. They sat perched on fence railings, scampered after kids running around the park, and lounged in patches of warm sunlight. Amber had the odd sense, though, that the cats were alert and keeping an eye on things.

The cars parked behind her just beyond the park and the outfits worn by adults and kids alike were enough to tell Amber that she was no longer in her time. Once the shock of being some-when else had faded, Amber scanned the faces of the children around her, searching for Zelda.

Amber soon found her and a few friends playing on the swings. Zelda and another girl were in a race to see who could swing the highest. They pumped their legs harder and harder, sailing so high in the air that sometimes their butts left the black rubber swings for a moment before gravity pulled them back down.

A second pair of girls stood behind the swing set, cheering Zelda and her friend on.

Zelda went too high on one of the swings and the metal ropes gave a jolt. Zelda shrieked as she lost control and pitched backward. A nearby parent heard the commotion and was on his feet in an instant and sent a gust of air toward Zelda, catching her before she hit the ground below. He righted her, placing her on her feet.

Letting out a bewildered laugh, Zelda dramatically collapsed to the ground. “Thanks, Mr. Comfrey!”

The man smiled and shook his head, returning to the bench where he’d been sitting with another father.

A squawk above Amber’s head drew her attention up. A flock of black birds flew overhead. Then the small, happily chirping songbirds in a nearby tree took off at once, heading in the same direction as the black birds. Dogs howled.

Zelda’s friends didn’t seem to notice any of this and were now crowded around her. They chatted and laughed and mocked Zelda’s screams from when she’d careened toward the ground.

Then the cats perched on fences and lying in the grass started to move. Some yowled, some pinned their ears to the sides of their heads. And then they bolted, hissing and spitting as they went. They, too, traveled in the same direction as had the retreating birds.

The adults were on their feet at this, most calling their cats back. The cats didn’t listen.

Zelda and her friend had been busy threatening a rematch, but a deep, thunderous rumble frightened the girls into immediate silence.

The cacophony of the busy playground quieted in an instant.

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