Return To The Lane Of Bells - Part 5 - The Room Of Fate

I don't know what I was expecting to happen when I jumped in the box but as the bright light subsided I found myself in a room almost exactly the same as the one I had just come from.

The same domed ceiling, doors in the walls all around, no Lane of Bells and no box in the middle, this room was also brilliant white in colour, so bright I could hardly see anything at first. I could see though, although where the light was coming from I had no idea, it was as if it perpetuated it's own light source, everything glowing bright.

I turned all around to see if I could see George, but no he was definitely not in here. I wondered if he had already gone through one of the doors or if he had even ended up in the same place, he did after all say that every experience of The Lane of Bells could be different.

What I was supposed to do here I had no real idea although it wouldn't take a genius to guess I should be going through one of the doors but which one I had not a clue. The events of the past few hours had been extraordinary to say the least and it's hard to make sense of the nonsensical, so I decided to stop even trying.

Right what was it that George had told me to do, use my abilities and use my different set of eyes. I walked towards one of the doors to my left and then looked at the door to the left and then right of it to see if they gave me a clue or if there was anything different about each of them but they all looked exactly the same.

I put my ear up again one to see if I could hear anything coming from behind, but no, nothing. It was very quiet in here, so quiet I could hear the sound of my eyelid blinking, something I had never taken notice of before, why would I?

Hello, I called out.

Nothing.

HELLO.

Nothing, not even an echo.

Well I had come in here to find fate and to find some answers so I guess it must be behind one of these doors and as each looked the same I could spend hours contemplating and trying to differentiate but I didn't think I would get very far.

Right, there's no point in procrastinating, I've been through strange things than this before, I closed my eyes and spun myself around, pointing my paw forward and stopped.

Hang on what was that? Just for a second I thought I saw something with my eyes closed. I opened them to see if anything was there but no, just the room with all the doors and the domed ceiling. I closed them again and nothing.

Um, curious, was my mind playing tricks on me? Let me try that again.

Eyes, closed, spin around, paw out, Yes there, what's that? 

I stopped and moved slowly back, a pair of eyes blinked at me from behind one of the doors, my eyes opened and nothing, my eyes closed and a pair of blinking eyes.

I turned slowly to the right, eyes still closed, nothing there. I turned again a little more and a bowl of fruit, appeared from within the door a little like when fog clears with the mornings heat, burning away the screen. What! 

I opened my eyes and nothing. OK this was the way to go.

I closed my eyes again and went from door to door, another pair of eyes, a bandage, nothing, a rose, a fox, nothing, the number 11, a chair, nothing, nothing, an owl, a rainbow, an elephant, nothing, nothing, nothing, a loop, a black cat, a banana, nothing, a mirror, nothing, a picture of River. What! 

Why would a picture of River be here? I shook my head to clear it, maybe this was all just a trick playing with my mind, but when I closed my eyes again there she was. 

OK carry on, a blanket, that was familiarly it was the same one I used to fall asleep on after my nights out with Troy Lamore, nothing, nothing, a little Buddha statue, both the Naughty Twins, The Swinging Heart of Love, nothing, Mogsie, the words HELP ME, I could do with that now I tell you that was a bit disturbing, nothing, nothing, nothing, a little red dragon emblem, George. 

GEORGE! I called out.

Is that you there George? No answer, maybe not. OK back to it.

A row of bells, a blast of wind, Nanny and Granddad sitting on a bench, nothing.

I was beginning to feel quiet dizzy all this spinning around and although I could see things I couldn't understand what any of them meant or what door I was supposed to choose. Only a few more to go.

A pair of kittens, another dog like River, the Easter Island Head, a broken crown, the word LOST, nothing, a ? and a shooting star, a bowl of fruit, apple, orange, plum, lemon, nothing, a pair of blinking eyes. OK I was back at the beginning again.

I opened my eyes and looked all around me, everything was the same as before.

OK now time to make a decision, let me think. Oh this was hard some of the images made sense, some I had no idea about and some where plainly disturbing, especially that HELP ME and LOST. 

Which one to choose? I certainly wasn't going to go through any that disturbed me, listen to your feelings they are trying to tell you something Daddy always said and I certainly intended to take heed of those words. 

Then it struck me, something else Daddy always used to say, if you have a problem go back, go right back to the beginning.

I closed my eyes again, scanning the images in my minds eye I went back and found, what I was pretty sure was, the first door that I'd gone up to. Oh I hope it was the first door, knocking open the latch the door opened and I stepped in.  

Return To The Lane Of Bells - Part 4 - What Sort Of Horror Show Are You Running Here?

No! I turned to face George.

No, don't do it! 

My heart was pounding in my throat, the blood rushed through my ears deafening the sound of the noise coming from the Catacombs.

George looked at me, a resigned look in his face.

Lil' we came here, there is no other way, if I don't I'll end up in there anyway at least I have a chance of getting home with my voice if I do.

What sort of horror show are you running here? I called out to The Judge.

HORROR SHOW! he sounded angry.

What makes you think it's a horror show and what makes you think I'm the bad guy here? 

Well...

I turned to face The Lane of Bells and indicated with my paw towards the Catacombs

I'm not their prisoner officer, I'm not their torturer, I'm their nurse maid, I'm the one who looks after these poor unfortunate cats. I didn't do any of this to them, I'M THEIR PROTECTOR and I protect the rest of Catkind. What would you have me do let them all out into the world to run riot, they are beyond saving Lil' and I didn't do this to them. They did it to themselves I'm just making sure they are living the best life there poor souls can.

Themselves! I was angry.

Yes themselves! They chose to come here, they chose to take their chance and this is the result. It's not my fault, I'm The Judge, I'm not the jury!

What did he mean? My head was spinning, none of this made sense. I turned to George to see if he could give me an answer but he was just staring at the open box.

George what does he mean?

Silence.

George won't answer you, he knows but he won't answer you he cares too much for you and he knows what it means to come to The Lane of Bells and he knows what's ahead, the one and only direction that's ahead!

With that George jumped up and right into the box, a blinding light flashed through the room before dimming again.

You can only go forward Lil' you can't go back, if you want to go forwards you have to go in the Box of Fate and face it Lil'! FACE FATE!

It was as if I was transferred back in time to a conversation in March between George and I just before he lost his ability to speak;

"Do you believe in fate Lil'?, We didn't meet by fate Lil'! It wasn't fate, Fate Lil' Fate!" 

Round and round and round those words went, my head spinning, now they all made sense, he was trying to tell me something that he knew I would need later on but then got silenced in case he told me too much.

Are you telling me it's my destiny to go in there? I pointed at the Box of Fate.

You're here so it's your destiny, I'm just hear to help proceedings. You chose to come here for some answers and that's where you'll get them. You cannot leave without going through. You can stay here and chat to me for as long as you want, I'm not going anywhere and to be honest I would enjoy conversing with someone who is not tortured by madness but if you do you will eventually go that way anyway. Imagine it, for all of eternity here with only the company of me and my wards, forever and ever loosing memory of everyone and everything you have ever known. This place Lil' freezes time, you can never leave unless you go through and get your key but that key comes with a price, it comes with a price of knowing what will be and if you think that's an easy burden to carry then you are very much deluding yourself. It's true I've had some that have chose not to go in, you'll find them in here somewhere, maybe that was their fate I don't know and it's not my job to care.

Who are you?

I told you I'm The Judge.

OK who where you?

Clever cat, only two have ever asked that question before and I'm quiet flattered but I have no idea who I was, I've been here too long! I've forgotten how I got here, who I was and why I came, I have no recollection of why I am in this position or when this will ever end. I have no memory Lil' I told you it goes over time but I do appreciate the question it makes a refreshing change.

But if you know everything, as you said you did why don't you know that?

I know everything about other's and nothing about me, maybe one day I went in the Box of Fate and this was mine, who can tell? More to the point though Lil' are YOU ready to face the Box of Fate yet, George is already facing his?

I felt there was something I was missing, something that George had said that my catty powers were telling me I needed to recall. What was it? Damn why can't I remember?

Give me a minute, I said, I'm thinking.

What advice would the Wiseman give, he was the cleverest in the whole universe, oh how I wish he was here now? I sat and wracked my brains what would he say? He'd tell me, oh I don't know what. Right stop panicking imagine you are in front of him. Relax and tune in, listen to myself, what did George tell me?

I talked as if to myself, there, there it is, somewhere between the tip of my tongue and the far off distances, of my memory, stop playing with me, don't give me half words, got it, no gone, eyes, eye's what? Oh why have I forgotten, don't forget, that's it eyes, don't forget. GOT IT!

"You Lil', you've got an all together different set of eyes now, and abilities, just make sure you don't forget to explore them, you are going to need them later on"

With that I stood up, my chest puffed out, I had everything I think I needed now. George's words, The Wiseman's advice and Troy's lessons. I was ready alright.

Confidently I walked up to the Box of Fate and jumped in, the light grew a million times longer and filled the dome, the lid closed and the dome fell into darkness and silence.

Return To The Lane Of Bells - Part 3 - An Audience With The Judge

The voice from above startled me.

Who's that? I called out

That's the judge! George said

I turned to look at him, I'm sure my mouth must have been open.

You can speak again! I was in shock

Yes he can speak, the voice bellowed, but whether he gets to keep his speech is yet to be determined.

I stood there not knowing what to do.

George what's going on?

Shhh, he said.

I'd follow your friends advice little cat, or would you prefer me to call you by you full name, Lil'?

How do you know my name?

I turned again to look at George who was looking at the box in front of us.

I know everything little cat but the question is do you?

Well no of course I didn't know everything but I didn't want to anger The Judge, he didn't seem the friendliest of individuals.

No, I was having to think on my feet here, nothing could have prepared me for any of this, but we would like your help.

WE? boomed The Judge

I didn't know what to say and just stood there in silence, I wanted to scratch an itch on the side of my face but was too scared to move. It then hit me I could feel an itch, I'd not felt that since going to the other side. I could feel again, oh how fantastic was this, never before would an itch have felt so great, still it was irritating but I didn't know what was going on and thought it best to keep quiet.

Well what is it you two want then. Why do you disturb me? Why did you come for an audience with The Judge?

George took a step nearer towards the box.

Last time I was here I came to see you about everything that was going on with Catkind and for some advice about what to do with the attempted take-over and our Catworld and I left not being able to speak. I want my voice back.

Then take it, The Judge replied.

What do you mean, I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried gobbledygook just came out.

I don't mean out there George, I mean in here. Only you can take your voice back, make yourself be heard!

OK, George looked angry not something he does much, it is one of his most dashing looks. I want to be able to leave this place and go back home with my voice.

That's better, stand up for yourself, don't apologise for your wants and desires. 

He paused.

You want to go back home as well, you say, and The Judge laughed.

Well you know that's not guaranteed. So you want two things do you, anymore?

Yes, I stepped up side-by-side with George. I'd like some answers too.

The Judge laughed.

Brave little thing aren't you! But tell me why should I help either of you.

Although I was scared I wasn't going to be intimidated by this voice.

Because we are good people and we only want what's right. George, I was told, lost his voice to stop him from saying something to me about The First that came from Troy Lamore and Catkind and I want to know what it was. I want to help Catkind and I want my George back to normal again and I want you to stop trying to scare us.

SCARE YOU! The Judge's voice echoed around the dome, SCARE YOU! Do I scare you Lil'? If you think this is scary just you wait.

Well let's see, shall I help you, um let me think.

The dome fell into silence. I turned to look at George who seemed frozen in time.

George, I turned to him, what's happening?

He deciding.

Deciding what?

Deciding whether he will or not according to what we've said.

What is that it? No questions? I feel like I've been put on trial or something.

We have, George replied.

It was like this last time, I hardly got chance to get anything out before he told me he was deciding.

As simple as that? I asked

NO, The Judges voice boomed, not as simple as that but as simple as this.

At that moment the lid of the box opened and a light shone from within. George swallowed and turned to me.

Lil' get ready.

I wanted to ask for what but thought I might end up regretting it, every time I opened my mouth it didn't seem to be making the situation any better.

Well George you know the drill.

The drill! What on earth was the drill?

George looked at me and took a step nearer the box.

Remember George, you only get one chance, now choose wisely.

Choose what? Hang on a minute what's going on here. 

George turned and looked at me.

I have to make a choice, depending on what I choose will determine my fate, whether I get my voice back on the outside and even if I'm allowed to return home or end up...

he swallowed, his mouth dry as a pile of crushed up bones.

...end up stuck here.

Here? What do you mean end up here?

At that moment a million little lights came on all through The Lane of Bells, under the bells and in the archways, a thousand screams and cackles echoed up and down, around and around.

Awrdddddd, Weopweop, Queeerhh, Hahahahah

Illuminated by the light, beyond the bells and into the archways irons bars cemented from floor to ceiling and behind the bars were cats, thousands upon thousands of cats, hair matted, eyes glowing, sad and mad, thousands and thousands of deranged cats, screaming and crying out, laughing and calling.

The Catacombs Lil', THE CATACOMBS!

Return To The Lane Of Bells - Part 2 - Who Knows What It Was But It Couldn't Be As Bad As This. Could It?

Silence!

Silence was all around!

Seconds before there was noise and wind and the sound of George's heart thudding in my ears and then there was nothing.

I opened my eyes and turned to look at George.

Are you OK? I asked

He nodded.

In front of us was a great oak door about 5 meters tall, a curve at the top that fitted perfectly into the stone wall surrounding it, slats of wood with ancient old knots ran from top to bottom emitting a musty smell, three semi-circle stone steps led up to the door, ivy crawling over the base and up the wall.

I'd never been here before but had heard tales, somehow I'd never imagined it would look like this. I asked George if this was how he remembered it, he nodded and took a step forward. It was appropriate he took the lead, I was only here to support him after all but now that I was here I was very curious to finally see what The Lane of Bells was really like and it didn't take a genius to work out the direction we were heading.

George moved up the steps and knocked once and sat back down.

Nothing.

I suggested knocking again but he shook his head.

I looked up at the sky, dark grey clouds rolled over rapidly but I felt no wind and they made no sound. It was strange, the sky although not exactly pleasant was a little hypnotic and I didn't mind just watching it tumble around while we waited.

I got lost in their rythum trying to make out shapes like I use to do in the back garden on a Summers day but was brought back from my half day-dream doze by the sound of the door swinging open inwards. George stood and I jumped up the steps to join him and we both peaked in.

Ahead was a large corridor, the size of the inside of the biggest cathedral you could ever imagine, the floor covered in uneven cobble stones, a variety of shades of grey. No roof adorned the corridor, the grey tumbling clouds out here could still be seen flying around over head, it was silent within.

Along each side were a serious of stone arches with still bells, the size of cars and mottled in colour, hanging from the top of each arch. Bells like that you would expect to be polished and shiny brass but those days were longer gone, these bells were old, as old at cat time itself.

I looked at George, I wanted to take my lead from him, he had been here before after all. He looked at me and tried to put a smile on his face but I could tell he was scared and to be honest even though I know nothing much could happen to me I was bricking it a bit too.

We both went to the edge of the doorway and stepped in together.

As soon as we entered the bells nearest to us slowly started to move, a slight sway back and forth. I looked at George who hadn't stop but was walking slowly. It hadn't put him off and I was guessing this was what had happened to him before.

I ran a couple of paces to catch him up so we stood side by side, by this time we were maybe 10 or so meters inside and I heard the door close behind us. I turned to look over my shoulder to see who had closed it but no one was there. Turning forward again I noticed the bells were beginning to pick up their swing, the metal rod in the middle starting to move back and forth but not yet hitting the sides. Peering into the darkness through the arches and beyond the bells I sensed a stirring but it was too dark to see what was there and the grey sky above provided no assistant.

The corridor seemed to go on forever, as did the lines of bells and arches into the distance, away and beyond. There really was only one way forward, there was no way was I going to deviate off this path and step into the shadows behind the arches.

George's eyes were firmly fixed forward, unlike me he wasn't trying to see what was going on behind the bells. I was surprised, us cats can see in the dark but for some reason my cat sight wasn't working here and although I could sense something was watching us from within the shadows I just couldn't make out what. If I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have been so keen to try and work out what it was.

We were about 500 meters in when I heard the first rod hit the side of the bell behind me. I turned to see the bells at the start swinging the most wildly, back and forth, left and right. They were like a wave gathering speed, the bells by the door, then the second, then the third, once one had started reaching the required swing the next followed, catching up with us closer and closer, all the time picking up speed and swing.

I looked to see how George was but he wasn't there. Quickly scanning the corridor I spotted him about another 100 meters or so ahead, his pace had picked up, still staring straight ahead. The noise of the bells behind me getting louder and louder I turned back to find the bells swinging and making noise had progressed to only about 100 meters or so behind me still gathering speed.

I started to run to catch up with George, who himself had now broken into a run, the sound of the bells mixing with each other, no sign of a tune, just ringing and ringing.

Arcccccckkkk.

From behind the bells, somewhere in the darkness came a screeching, that chilled and almost made me trip. The first quickly followed by a second, then a tenth, then a hundredth. I had now caught up with George and we were both running together as fast as we could.

Arcccccckkkk. Errrrrhhhh. Hahahahahahah. Roaaaaaaaarrrr, Hiyayayayayay.

To the left, to the right, behind the bells into the arches, the most horrific screams and cries were competing with the bells, still getting louder and louder, swinging more and more widely.

Orarrrghhhh, Woppwopp. Errrrhhhhh, Hahahahahahaha.

Thousands upon thousands of calls and voices coming at us from every direction. The sounds were now coming not just from behind and at the sides of us but in front, the speed and ferocity of the bells swinging had caught us up and was overtaking us, there was no escape from it all.

I was petrified and couldn't hear myself think through all the noise, George still at my side somehow had managed to run even faster than before, I could hear his heart pumping and see the sweat dripping from his nose. I don't think either of us had run that fast ever before, I know I hadn't.

I couldn't help myself but turn to see how far we had come. The door we had entered through no longer in sight, as far as I could see the bells swinging into the corridor back and forth, the screaming coming from every direction.

I hadn't stopped running and turned forward, in the distance I could see a shape begin to form out of the darkness, right at the end. It spurred us on and we ran faster and faster towards it, who knows what it was but it couldn't be as bad as this was. Could it?

We were now about 200 meters from the end of the corridor and the end of the line of bells and I could just about make out a large box sitting in the middle of a large open space, doors all around the side of the room and a dome ceiling above.

Just a few more seconds and we would be there but the sound of the noise everywhere was terribly, terribly loud by now so loud that I felt my head was about to implode.

5 bells left, 4, 3, and I lept I just couldn't take it anymore and into the room I flew, past the last bell and... silence!

I turned around, the bells were still and the noises from the arches, well it was like nothing was there. I turned to look at George, spread out panting on the floor, unable to speak, barely able to breath.

So you've come back have you?

A deep voice boomed around the dome. I spun around to see where the voice was coming from but the sound gave me no sense of which direction it was coming from.

And I see you've brought a little friend to help you this time!

Return To The Lane Of Bells - Part 1 - Come On Then Let's Get This Done

I'm so exhausted, which actually considering the circumstances, I'm pleased to feel.

I've not felt tired since I returned from the other side when a lot of my physical feelings were taken away from me, emotionally yes I'd been able to still feel happy and sad but physically nothing, maybe it's because last night was such an emotionally draining time but let me start at the beginning.

George came over just after the sun had gone down, I was waiting outside by the front door, the Daddies and River were all watching some singing contest on the TV and it was irritating me and I just wanted to get going and so moved myself to the front step so I wouldn't get caught up in what was going on inside and miss him, not that I think he would have gone without me, no that wouldn't have happened but we couldn't put this off any longer for any reason.

I could tell he wasn't looking forward to it, his weepy eye was blazing and his whole posture was slack and lack lustre. I smiled at him and asked him if he was ready and he nodded. It must be so exhausting for him not being able to talk, in many ways I understand as so many around here just can't hear me not matter how hard I try to let them know I'm here.

As much as this wasn't going to be a pleasurable experience and neither of us knew exactly what to expect he couldn't go in there with this kind of mood and it's part of my job, the reason why I am joining him this time, to get him geared up, so as nervous as I was I took a deep breath and forced energy to every part of my being. I felt the mix of adrenaline and a touch of raw anger moving throughout every part of my body and actually felt my mass increase, and my bones stiffen.

Come on then, I said, let's get this done!

We both stood up and started walking the only light on the road from the streetlights and the odd shaft that peeked through peoples curtains as they enjoyed their evenings inside.

The Lane of Bells is a physical place for us cats but it can only be accessed through a certain state of mind that only us cats can get into and George's state of mind tonight as it was wasn't going to allow us access so as we walked I began to talk. I needed to get him to focus but first I needed to get him to stop thinking about the possibility of the impending doom. My master plan, maybe not the best but the only one I could come up with in the circumstances, was to tell him how I felt about everything that had happened between us when we were getting close and then he went off with Sarah.

Now I know this might not seem like why bring this all up now and to be honest I didn't care anymore but it was good to get some things off my chest and put all that finally to bed for me and it was certainly a topic that would take his mind off what we were about to do.

I wasn't going to have a go at him but there's no subject closer to the heart than one about the heart but it was important for me to let him know how I felt without him feeling that I was having a go at him so he didn't feel bad, it wasn't about that, this wasn't the blame game.

I started by talking to George about everything that had happened between Mogsie and I over a long period of time and how I had developed feelings for him that I hadn't expected and then how upset I was when he spurned me for the lighter Naughty Twin and how he came along and started paying attention to me. Oh how I enjoyed just hanging out with him and how he showed me so much care and was thoughtful to my feelings and how out of his pure care and friendship those feelings had started growing inside of me.

Occasionally I turned to look at him to see what his reactions were but his head never turned towards me, facing forward only but I could tell he was listening, his ears were up and a certain tension around his mouth was obvious.

I explained how I began to trust him which was why it was so hurtful when he suddenly stopped coming around. I didn't just miss that warm feeling when you begin to fall for someone but that I missed our friendship as well and felt pain and confusion when it was all taken away from me and I didn't understand why or what I had done wrong.

It felt so much better to get that all of my chest, I didn't even realise that it was still bugging me but as I spoke I felt a rainbow of feelings of anger and disappointment and nausea and love all mixed together taking turns to shout boo in my face and pump my heart.

By this time we had reached the bottom of the road, we'd been walking really slowly, it must have taken up half an hour to get there. Neither one of us was in a hurry, we knew where we were going and our pace wasn't to put off the inevitable. It's important to get your body into a relaxed rhythm and although our conversation was a little emotive this was a more manageable kind of emotion than the fear he'd been experiencing when he first came over.

We turned towards the tunnel. Oh that tunnel such an important place for me, the place that I'd been so scared of and the place that Troy had shown me could be a portal to facing my own fears and beating them over the head and banishing them, coming out the other side stronger than I'd entered. It felt appropriate for the tunnel to be used again tonight for much the same reason and we turned left and headed towards it.

I had no more negative thoughts about the past with George and as we walked I started to tell him about how glad I was that it was George that was the first one who was able to see and hear me and that how reassuring I felt that no matter what, we had come out of that situation the other side with a stronger bond than we had ever had before. I explained how grateful I was to him for persisting with trying to make contact with me when I went and came back from the other side and how lucky I was to have the privilege of calling him my friend and how now above everyone else I trusted him and believed in him.

I turned again to look at him, his ears and jaw seemed a little more relaxed now, I think he realised that I hadn't been having a go at him. He needed to feel my love and care and support like I had been feeling his this past couple of months. All that had happened to me had brought us closer, much closer than ever before and I wasn't lying telling him these things, they were spoken from a place of honestly and love.

We'd come out the other side of the tunnel by now and we were walking in total unison. We knew we were getting nearer to where we could access The Lane of Bells and now walked in silence. We both needed to focus our mind on the rhythm of each other, the rhythm of the night, the rhythm of the universe, the rhythm of The Lane of Bells. If we were both to travel there together we must think like each other, join our souls, join our intuition, move as one or we would surely be separated which was something that must not happen at any cost!

We turned right at exactly the same time, the rhythm was beginning to happen and we knew where we were heading. About 500 meters from the end of the pathway was a field where the rabbits lived, to the left was the lakes where Troy had taken me the first time and where the Gooses lived. That lake that had proven to me that if I faced my fears all would be OK, this field would, we hoped, prove the same thing to George.

The moon was up and the field was illuminated, silence was all around. We reached the middle and stood, our bodies lightly touching each other. We closed our eyes, our bodies beats as one and we started to unlock the door between this place and The Lane of Bells.

Umm, umm, umm, umm, umm went the rhythm louder and louder in our minds, both as one, two stronger than one then in the distance...

Dong, Dong, Dong

We could hear the bells, slowly moving closer. 

This was the time to manage it the most, a single deviation from the rhythm no matter what was going on around us or from within us and no entry would be permitted. Us cats are never taught how to enter The Lane of Bells, we're born with the knowledge, just like the instinct to breath.

Dong, Dong, Dong

The Lane of Bells moved nearer, getting louder and louder our bodies swayed around and around together.

Dong, Dong, Dong

Louder and louder our eyes closed our bodies swaying, the wind started to pick up and the bells moved closer. I could even chance trying to control my fear, the link between George and I would be broken and the link to The Lane of Bells would be too!

DONG

In my ear, millimeters away, the rush of wind now very loud itself, our eyes tightly shut, part of the the ceremony, part for fear of what might be seen if opened.

DONG

Not just in our ears, now in our bodies, in our blood, in our breath, in our souls

DONG!

And together we leapt...

Olive Makes A Political Statement

Evil Olive makes a political statement for equality! Lady cats can be proud of their beards. Turns out she's not so evil after all!

Good Luck

Poor George he must be so very nervous. He's sitting under the tree over the road and by the look of him doing a lot of thinking. Mind you he's been to The Lane of Bells before and not that long ago so at least he kind of knows what to expect. 

Myself I've never been but I've heard tales of what can occur there, I say what can occur as each time you go you can have a very different experience. It's not a place that us cats choose to go to without a great deal of thought, it's a place where your fears are faced, sometimes literally and let's face it last time he lost his ability to speak so he must be petrified. After tonight, fingers crossed I'll be able to properly talk to him again and get some answers that have been burning inside of me.

Doublay just popped over to wish us good luck and he said he would pop over and see if he was OK, which he did and when he got past George he turned back and winked at me, I must admit I wish Doublay was also coming with us but it's something we must do together.

Purely To Pass The Time

This waiting around for tonight is doing my head in, I'd watch some paint dry if the Daddies were doing any decorating purely to pass the time. I've been looking out the window, just watching the cars go by hoping that George or Doublay would come by for a chat but nope. The only person I've seen all afternoon is Tiger creeping around but my minds to preoccupied to be worrying what he's up to today.

A Place Of Madness Than Dances With Your Mind!

So here we are, the weekends arrived and as far as the majority of Catworld is concerned it's another normal weekend. 

The darker Naughty Twin is running back and forth across the road, no doubt trying to hurry M up and get his breakfast ready.

His brother is hanging out by the Swinging Heart of Love, I suspect waiting for River to get up and go outside so he can wind her up.

George meanwhile is hanging out by the front window, a look of trepidation on his face. I nodded to him through the window and he nodded back, we're not going until later on tonight. I decided to let him just have his space, reserve his energy and collect his thoughts, he's going to need it! Tonight is going to be very tiring for him, for tonight is the night he faces an even bigger challenge than he did last time he went to The Lane of Bells. 

Although all cats can choose to go to the Lane of Bells whenever the situation deems it, many cats choose never to go, it's a place that myth and legends are made of, a place where anything can happen, as he found out. It's one of the most sacred places for cats, it's also a place that many cats never return from, trapped forever in a hell of their own making, a place of madness that dances with your mind! 

His time approaches, I hope he's ready for we need George to be able to speak again. I need to know what Troy Lamore told him as a greater time approaches as foretold by Doublay. Catkind needs him as we all need to get ready for THE TIME!

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

It must be driving Sarah and the lighter Naughty Twin mad not knowing what's going on. Now I don't know for certain but I'm pretty sure, with at least Sarah, that she's not in the know. How do I know? I've just spotted her doing virtually the unthinkable and creeping into the Peace Garden, with a watchful eye from the lighter Naughty Twin and having a good old nose and sniff around.

Now Sarah didn't hear me the other day, that much I do know, but she did say something to Doublay which prompted him to come and speak to me and reveal that he was in the know.

Now I'm not sure if the lighter Naughty Twin is in the know or not, he's playing his cards very close to his chest but I do know that he was tasked with keeping an eye out for River when I went to the other side but that was from the cat council and I'm sure from his kind heart.

I decided to approach Sarah and test out my theory, after all those in the know about me, if you follow my drift, will be able to at least hear, if not see me.

I went right up in her face and called her name.

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Not a single reaction.

Well no reaction that is until River came bounding out and chased her out of the garden. So it's confirmed, Sarah is not a part of all this, she wasn't visited by Troy Lamore and she has no idea That THE TIME is coming!

Cats and Dogs - From The Other Side

www.riverssong.net/2014/05/leave-me-alone.html

And This Time Not Alone, This Time I'm Going With Him!

At last George has come over, at least he's stopped avoiding me.

I ran out the back and around the front and joined him in front of the car, I think he was hiding there away from River who is on the look out for cats tonight.

How are you? I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders.

Been keeping fit?

He smiled. That seemed to lift his mood a bit.

I've had a visit from Doublay.

He just looked at me.

He said that what has happened for you happened for a reason. Happened to stop you saying something that you shouldn't have. He said you'd been told stuff by Troy Lamore and that this happened from preventing you from telling me. Was you going to?

He looked a bit sheepish and nodded. I really felt for him, no only had he been carrying around this burden for goodness knows how long but now he'd paid a heavy price for only doing something I'm pretty sure I would have been tempted to do.

Doublay said it's time for you to return to The Lane of Bells because THE TIME is coming.

He looked at me at nodded, resigning himself to the inevitable he got up and started to slowly walk off.

This weekend, I think would be appropriate, what do you think?

He turned, gave a weak smile and nodded.

That's that then, this weekend George returns to The Lane of Bells and this time not alone, this time I'm going with him! 

The Time Is Coming!

It was a slow start to the day, the Daddies and River all seemed to be very tired and there wasn't the usual buzz about the morning. I decided to stay upstairs and watch out to see if I could see George or Doublay specifically.

Almost as if out of nowhere Doublay appeared on the sunshine shed, staring up towards the bedroom window, right in my direction.

I ran downstairs, I needed to know more, I felt ready. I don't know why I felt ready, it was different than feeling impatience or curious, I more than wanted to know or needed to know through a sense of urgently, I just felt it was the right time.

I jumped up next to Doublay and he looked at me. 

Good morning Lil', he said

Hello, I replied. I...

I know Lil', I was told, he interrupted.

Troy told me to tell you not to allow confusion to confuse you.

You...

I may seem like I'm talking in riddles but my instructions where very clear. Oh yes and by the way I do know everything you are about to say, well most things anyway.

His knowledge really was dumbfounding me.

I'm ready to know, I said

I have a question to ask you now Lil' and you must answer it honestly as I was told you would.

OK, go on then.

Are you ready to accept.

Accept what?

Accept everything that is yet to happen no matter how large the consequences or how big the danger.

Yes.

Good then I can tell you Lil'. 

He paused again. 

The time is coming, a time of great peril, a time to face something so big that it could change the whole future of Catkind, something that involves not just you and me and George and Catworld but something that can change everyone's world. You Lil' are central to this. You Lil' have one of the most important parts to play in all of this but I cannot tell you what for fear that it will change your perspective and alter what must be. Troy came and visited me and he told me he had come to all those who would be major players who together would fight for the survival of Catkind. Ultimately there will be a choice and a sacrifice so great that it will ache in the bones of all the worlds cats. This choice Lil' you will have a role in. Troy has been trying to help us for for some time, think back to your experiences with him and draw on them, they happened to prepare you as George loosing his ability to speak has now become a part of it all but it's now time for George to return to The Lane of Bells Lil' for THE TIME IS COMING. THE TIME!

Tiger's Back Again

Tiger's back again, I've just seen him sneaking around Mogsie and Twizzles. 

I wasn't actually looking for him I was curious to see if George, Doublay or the darker Naughty Twin turned up but so far nothing. 

Doublay really got me thinking yesterday, so Troy has been around to see a few of us, but for the life of me I can't understand why he came to me. I know he's a very charismatic character but I'm not mistaken that there was something very strong between us. I don't know if I have another purpose in all this mystery or not but I do know I fell for him and I'm sure I'm not mistaken and it was reciprocated.

It's also got me thinking that he must have known all along that when my time came I would choose to come back. I don't think there was anything that would have kept me away from River, Nadia and the Daddies and so to my mind it was a foregone conclusion, maybe that was it he always knew I would choose this path for that reason, I could really do with him being around right now, although after what Doublay told me I'm not sure he would give me any straight answers either, still it would be good to see him anyway, I'm sure I will again one day but as ever with him you just never knew when he was going to turn up, and as it now seems, who he's going to turn up to see!

I decided to pop up and see The Wiseman to see if he could help but for some reason today as much as I tried I just couldn't get a connection, I guess I'll just have to sit here patiently and wait.

What Could He Mean Waiting For THIS TIME?

I've just had the more interesting and revealing, well partial revealing, conversation with Doublay, of all people!

I was sitting in the window, it's been a beautiful day and unsurprisingly a few of the regulars were out and about. Sarah was enjoying an after dinner bathe and the darker Naughty Twin was lurking around but not coming too close, then all of a sudden Doublay rocks up and sits right in my eye line.

I know you're there, I've been waiting for this time!

What could he mean waiting for THIS TIME?

Silence doesn't help if you have a lot of questions to ask and he, Doublay of all people, seems to be able to at least hear if not see me and I have missed being able to speak to other cats. It's been great with George but he keeps on avoiding me. I know I'm pushing him but it is important that I get some answers and this one way communication thing isn't working me for.

Me you mean? I said

Yes you Lil' I've been waiting for this time for quiet some time.

OK here goes. Go on.

I was told something a while back by someone I think you know. I think you know because he told me you would know who I was talking about, your catty powers would tell you. 

I knew who he meant, my heart pounded.

You've met Troy Lamore too? I asked

Oh yes I've met him. I think you know what a meeting with Mr Lamore can do for you. He changed my life, and from what he told me he changed your life too Lil'.

He had done that, alright!

I'm confused, you confuse me Doublay. When did you know I was here?

I knew before you went, I just didn't know it was you.

Your talking in riddles. This was frustrating.

I was, he paused, told certain things and given certain instructions that I MUST carry out at certain times. These instructions were told to me very specifically and I can't talk about them now. It's very important that only what I can reveal is revealed. Too much knowledge can change what needs to be and that is a very dangerous thing indeed. Something that threatens the whole of Catkind.

CATKIND!

There is was again, George and now Doublay both talking about a threat to Catkind.

I thought it would be fruitless but I couldn't not ask. What do you know about the threat to Catkind?

He laughed. Oh come on you know I can't say that I just told you, too much knowledge can change what needs to be, what MUST be!

I can tell you I am here for a purpose, I can be trusted. I wasn't told who I would be making contact with but I was told I would know when the time was right providing I didn't deviate from my instructions. Everything I have done up to this time has been what I was told to do even if it didn't make sense.

I just like you have a part to play in something that has been going on for a very long time, hidden in the shadows, with clues scattered around. Now the time approaches for what has been to play with what is yet to happen.

I was told by Troy that there would be a few of us that would be able to contact the one who came back without many of the others seeing. 

He said he would be visiting all those who would be able to and at the right time according to his instructions they would be able to step forward to make themselves known to you. I can say that as the darker Naughty Twin was the one who could hear you expect a visit from him when his time has come, as I know this there's a reason why I should, I just don't know what it may be, those instructions must lie with him.

He said you would need to listen very carefully to any instructions that come you way from any of us once we have revealed ourselves to you and you to us. Timing was of the uttermost importance and I was to contact you after you had revealed yourself to Sarah.

Troy knew it would get back to me via Sarah and I could approach you then at anytime within the day.

What does Sarah know?

I know nothing about that, I told you we all had specific instructions for ourselves only. Who else know I know not, but I do know that I was to be the second one to come to talk to you. 

I know who the first is. I said

He smiled, oh yes I got it, the play on words didn't bi-pass him I guess we both know that Troy Lamore and The First are one and the same.

I don't need to know, too much knowledge can change what needs to be. It's important at this stage that none of us know who the others may be, for all I know Sarah may be an innocent bit player or like you Lil' at the center of everything.

What do you mean the center of everything?

Lil' do you think what you did was easy? You went to the other side and you came back. Even when people choose to do that, which you did with your own free will as it was decreed to me that someone would, it's not a guarantee that choosing yes makes it happen. Everything that's been going on for a very long time was to get you and me to this point now. Where things go I only have certain pieces of the puzzle but I know my role. At the right time we'll know the answers to the clues scattered around everywhere like little Easter Eggs. 

Can I ask a question about another knower?

Doublay looked at me intently.

I was told a series of answer to questions that you would ask but it is not my place to know the questions so I shall give you answer one. To stop an early revelation.

I gasped, my question was going to be why another knower had been inflicted with gobbledygook.

I can see it makes sense to you, he smiled.

You can see me? I asked

Yes Lil' I can see you. 

I don't know what else to say but...

He interrupted me mid flow.

Anytime you need to but you must let me know when as I need to tell you the exact words as told to me in order but I need to know when to start.

It answered my question, I wanted to know when could I ask questions. It was quite fun getting the answer before I asked and thought I would test it out.

No I don't

I laughed, so that's confirmed he's not having a relationship with Sarah!

Yes

So I can trust him too. OK that was good enough for me. I nodded that was all I needed to know for tonight, he understood and smiled back. 

I guess we're both along for this ride then Doublay.

Oh yes, he smiled. Oh yes!

Maybe I Shouldn't Jump To Conclusions

Maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions but something strange is going on. Shortly after I spotted Sarah talking to Tiger Mogsie came from around the back of his house and headed over towards E's. As he passed Sarah she got up and followed him and by the time they arrived there both of the Naughty Twins were their waiting.

They are all talking and looking over towards George's and over here. Here it comes, my revelation! 

Is There A Double Agent In Our Midst?

Is there a double agent in our midst? This is the question I'm asking myself after what I've just witnessed.

I was up in the front window when over from Tiny's house I spotted a slightly larger Tiger. He slinked down, trying to hide himself and headed towards Sarah sitting outside waiting for her tea.

Tiger whispered something in her ear and then walked off in the other direction, almost without a care in the world.

Oh what is going on, I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but Sarah didn't appear scared of him and he;s no business around here especially after the battle the other week when Foxy Lectar teamed up with the New Cat Crew, which led to George visiting the Lane of Bells and only being able to speak gobbledygook preventing him from telling me what the danger is to Catkind and what Troy Lamore told him. 

Yes that New Cat Crew have a lot to answer for. The Naughty Twins are out the back taking in the last light of the day on the sunshine shed. I'm slightly regretting pulling my trick on him now, I could really do with talking to them but I don;t think he'd be running towards me with opened arms.

She Can't Keep Something Like This To Herself

It' Bank Holiday Monday and both of the Daddies are home and everyone's out and about and avoiding me it must be said.

Sarah is out the front walking back and forth but keeping her eyes firmly away from here.

Doublay has cottoned on to the cafe opening times over the road and has arrived early to get first in line.

Nadia is desperately trying to hide from River who seems intent on sitting on her today.

Mind you the Daddies are playing with her pink ball to try and distract her.

And Mogsie, well what can I say, he's being conspicuous in his absence and lack of curiosity. Not much passes him by without notice and I'm not naive enough not to think he's preparing himself for a meeting,  Sarah can't keep something like this to herself.

I Shouted BOO Right In His Ear - Horror Of Horrors

It's a beautiful day out there today and everyone's was in the garden. The darker Naughty Twin was being noisy so I decided to face this head on and jumped up next to him.

I don't know what came over me but instead of offering comforting words or approaching this in a delicate way I shouted BOO right in his ear.

Of course he nearly jumped out of his skin and screeched off, I should have taken shame but after all the tricks that those two have played on me over the years I couldn't resist, just once, playing them at their own game.

I then spotted The Wiseman enjoying the sun and decided to go over for a bit of a consult, there was after all a lot on my mind and George still seems to be avoiding me, I bet he's not arranged anything again.

Anyway there I was approaching him from the fence when my attention was grabbed by the site of River stopping playing with her pink ball and starting sniffing the ground and horror of horrors a pile of bird features. There's been an attack on the Land of Birds!

Cats and Dogs - From The Other Side

www.riverssong.net/2014/05/i-found-clue-it-ended-with-header.html

Well That's Not Nice - Dirty Doublay!

Well that's not nice, no matter how under-the-weather you've been recently. Dirty Doublay!

I'm Being Avoided - The Cats Out Of The Bag

I'm being avoided.

Since I spoke out to the darker Naughty Twin the other day no cats have been anywhere near. I'm not sure why George is keeping away I can only guess it's because he's putting of the inevitable and he's a bit scared. Sarah and the darker Naughty Twin have however both been sneaking around and trying to peer in I've caught both of them at it, one at the back and one at the front.

Again I'm guessing that the darker Naughty Twin has said something to Sarah about me and they are trying to see if they can see me. I just wish Mogsie was around as I think he would understand. In some way's I don't think I've ever felt so lonely but I'm glad, excuse the pun, the cats out of the bag.