Colouring Felix
[Black]
Felix’s witch hadn’t given him a magical talent like all familiars were supposed to have.
Lola applied blue lipstick and quick flicks of green eyeliner. “Am I pretty?” she asked.
Felix purred.
“Good. I’m going out now. Be a good for Lola.”
When she got to the door Felix blocked her way. “What wrong?” The cat lifted a paw and licked himself, and then ran over to the dresser, climbing onto Lola’s cushioned stool. He rubbed against the mirror, knocking over perfume bottles. Felix whipped his tail at Lola’s make-up box and lipstick tubes.
She gazed at him curiously – drew a sign in the air, directing it at Felix. “A makeover? I think I know what you mean.” Another sign brought the scent bottles upright.
Felix meowed. She blew a kiss and left. “Be careful!” He heard the rustle of leaves as Lola rode a nearby wind to a meeting for witches.
[Red]
In the mirror he saw no change. Suddenly he felt prickles along his back, began hissing and spitting when another cat appeared in the mirror.
It moved as he did.
Is that me? He wondered. Going round in circles, admiring the glossy red fur. Yes!
He jumped off the dresser and ran outside.
It wasn’t long before he came across widow Shabnam. Upon seeing him she screamed, “Shaytan! Why don’t you go back Down There?”
Not the Devil! He wanted to say. Only a startled meow came out.
[Green]
Felix moved on – ignoring Shabnam who was shouting and fleeing in the opposite direction.
He wondered what other people would think of him. Imagine! They’d probably say, A red cat! Felix purred – feeling electric.
At the next cottage along the lane, he heard crying and followed the sound into the garden, squeezing through the fence. A boy sat on a blanket, howling and, rather sorry for it; Felix trotted over to him and let fat hands grab him.
“Kitty,” the boy said – drooling on Felix. This, he didn’t like and wriggled out of the boy’s grasp. “Look at kitty.”
Felix growled. The child’s mother came out and shooed him away. “Dear Lord! Green cats? Get away, you!”
[Purple]
In town Felix dodged between thousands of feet, had his tail stamped on and in the end ran into an open doorway to get away from offending feet.
“You bad cat!” He jumped as a huge woman towered over him. She bent and scooped him up and carried him away upstairs. “Running away again? We’ll get this purple gunk off you any minute, naughty cat!”
He was thrown into a tub of warm water, filled to the top with bubbles. Felix protested.
Enough. He scratched and squirmed, splashing water everywhere. The woman chased after Felix but he jumped out the window and past people’s feet again.
[Black]
Lola found him curled up on her stool. “What have you been up to?” she whispered – biting her bottom lip as she watched Felix’s memories unfold. “You won’t be doing that again,” she said with a laugh.
