THE MOMENT
"So I'm the only one that can hear you, huh?" Dara stared down at the black cat with a curious look. The red patch of fur atop its head resembled a skull; but, the fact that the cat could speak was more distracting to her.
"Sure looks that way," the cat replied with a soft, feminine voice. The two of them were alone in the forest, but it followed her around all day trying to convince her she was special. Even in front of others, no one noticed the cat speaking. Eventually, she gave up trying to ignore the cat and let it lead. She followed the cat deep into a forest she'd never been to before.
"Why do you want to teach me magic?" she asked.
"Because you're the only one on this world that can learn it," the cat replied. Dara tilted her head at the cat, then leaned back in surprise.
"Are...are you an alien?" she asked. It wasn't a stretch to think an alien might take the shape of a talking cat. For some reason, Dara found that conclusion easier to swallow than her being able to use magic.
"If I were; you'd be the alien from my perspective," the cat replied with amusement in her voice. Dara recognized it wasn't an answer; but, she was curious to know more. The only thing she knew for sure was that she was talking to a cat. Maybe it could actually teach her magic so she could help her family.
"Okay, let's pretend I believe you. What exactly do I have to do to learn magic?"
"Go to school, obviously," the cat replied. "Starting Monday, if you're ready."
"A magic school?" The cat shook its head.
"Not exactly. It's a school for all kinds of special kids; some use magic. Most of them, including you, have innate abilities. You'll get to learn about the universe and make friends that are just as lost as you are." It sounded too good to be true to Dara. And, it sounded expensive. Even the school she was planning to attend was more costly than they could afford.
"My family can't afford much...," Dara replied.
"There's no expense; but, you won't be able to come back for a little while," the cat said.
"I have to leave them?" Dara wasn't sure she was ready to say goodbye. Most kids her age did go off to school; but Dara planned to work for a year first to help her parents cover the tuition. But, from time to time she couldn't help but think it'd be easier on her parents if she wasn't there. If there was no tuition, and her parents didn't have to provide her food for another year, they might get ahead.
"Yes," the cat said. "Right now." The cat turned and took several steps into the forest. It paused to look at Dara. "Follow me if you're ready." Then, it continued forward. Dara almost let it get out of sight, but she dashed forward at the last moment. The forest grew denser and darker as Dara moved forward. But the red spot atop the cat's head was easy to keep track of, and it moved slow enough for Dara to keep up. Finally, the cat moved through two trees that were almost touching. The rest of the trees on either side were too close together, but Dara managed to squeeze through the opening the cat went through.
She emerged into a wide clearing that was unlike anything she'd ever seen. The dirty forest floor was replaced with a smooth, red glowing surface. Dara turned to get a better look at the trees she came through. On this side, they weren't trees. She came out of a crack in a red wall that matched the floor. She looked up and the sky was gone. She only saw more glowing red surface. The cat led her to a room in the center of the forest; but, the white door in the center of the red room was what surprised her the most. The cat stopped in front of the door to wait for her. Dara approached the door, but took a moment to walk around it.
"Where are we?" Dara asked.
"Somewhere else," the cat answered vaguely. But, it did not give her a chance for more questions. "Before you open the door, I need to double check something." It looked up at her. "What's your favorite number?" Dara tilted her head and gave the cat a confused look.
"Do I need one?" she asked. The cat shook its head, then looked at the red, crystalline doorknob.
"Go ahead and go in," the cat said. Dara shook her head at the cat and shrugged. She opened the door inward; and, she was only mildly surprised to see another room on the other side of it. She was expecting magic. She stepped into the white room on the other side and found another black cat with a red skull on its head laying in a hole. She looked behind her in time to watch the cat she was following disintegrate into white dust. She let the door close on its own, and realized the door was red from this side. She heard movement and turned to see the cat on its feet.
"What's going on?" Dara asked. The cat tilted its head at her.
"What's your favorite number?" it asked. In her mind, Dara wondered what the point of asking that again was. But, before she could ask, her mouth blurted out an answer.
"Zero!"