Contract

Ray freaked out as the cat talked. He said, "You....You're a spirit?"

Ray realised the situation he's in. So, he didn't wait for the cat to answer and started running, holding the cat in his arms. He said, "Hang in there. My house is just around the corner."

The cat tried to say something but only groans. Ray entered a medium-sized, two-story detached house. Upon entering the house he quickly threw his shoes and ran to the kitchen while calling, "Ms. Karim. Ms. Karim." But no one answered. He laid the cat down on the table and took out his phone. He called Tessa, "Tess, come home right now."

"Why? What happened? I'm with...….."

"Just come home, fast. I need you here."

Tessa sensed the urgency in Ray's voice and cut the call before saying, "OK. I'm coming. Give me 10 minutes."

Ray threw the phone on the living room couch and returned to the table.

He said, "Hang in there. We'll heal you in a minute."

Ray ran to the washroom and filled a bucket with water. He returned to the kitchen with a bucket of water and a small towel. He started carefully wiping the blood off the cat's body to see the injured spots.

A few minutes later, he heard the door of the house opening. Ray said loudly, "This way, Tess. To the kitchen."

Tessa entered the kitchen and got frantic seeing the injured cat. She put down her bag and ran to the table. She yelled, "Lemon, come down. I need your help."

In a moment, a small blue canary flied in through the door and sat on Tessa's shoulder. Tess said, "Let's do it, Lemon."

The canary answered, "Yeah."

Tess put both of her hands forward towards the cat and closed her eyes. A few seconds later, a green light appeared on her hand. The light enlarged and engulfed the cat. Ray was watching silently. Almost 20 minutes of healing later, Tess stopped. She sat on the floor and started panting. Ray ran to her and said, "Are you alright?"

Tessa caught her breath and said, "Yeah. I'm just out of spirit energy."

The canary said, "You spilt most of the energy outside. You still need to work to control your energy efficiency."

Tessa said in a sarcastic tone, "Yes, teacher."

Ray turned to the table and saw the cat sleeping. He said, "Tess, you should go to your room and rest. I'll take this cat to my room. He looks tired."

Tessa nodded and got up. She asked, "Where did you find her?"

"She was hit by a truck on road 17"

"Ohh. Well, take care of her. I'm gonna sleep a little."

She went up the stairs. Ray put the bucket and towel away and got up to the second floor with the cat. He laid the cat down on his bed and sat on the chair. The cat curled herself. Ray finally took a good look at the cat. A white cat with black stripes, just like a miniature snow tiger. Ray smiled and got up. He changed to casual wear and got to his desk to study.

The cat slept through the evening and didn't even wake up even when Ray called her for dinner. Ray let her sleep. He went down and saw Tessa, Rohan, and Ms. Karim waiting for her at the dining table.

He went down and sat on an empty chair. Ms. Karim asked him about the cat. So, Ray told both of them everything that happened this afternoon. After that, Ray asked, "Ms. Karim, is it ok to keep her in this house for a while? It's ok if you don't want to. I don't want to impose on you anymore after you've been kind enough to shelter me and Tess and even fund our studies."

Ms. Karim acted like she's offended: "I'm going to get angry if you talk to me like that ever again. How many times have I told you that I think of you two as my own children."

"But…"

"No buts. You're allowed to keep the cat in this home. OK?"

"Yes, Ms. Karim."

Ray finished his dinner and came back up. As he entered the room, he saw the cat sitting straight on his bed and staring at him.

Ray entered his room and closed the door. He asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good. That healer girl did a nice job."

"Oh. That's good then."

"What's your name, boy?"

"Ray, Ray Foster."

"Ray, I thank you for saving me this afternoon."

"It's alright. Anyway, you can stay in this house for a while if you want. I've got permission from my guardian."

The cat said, "I'm sorry, but I must leave. I can't be a burden to my savior for long."

Ray looked a bit disappointed but said, "Oh. OK then. Good luck on your journey."

The cat got on the railing of the open window and said, "I thank you again for your hospitality. Goodbye."

Ray waved his hand and said, "Goodbye."

The cat jumped down. Ray saw the cat leave through the window and fell on the bed. He let out a small sigh and said, "What an eventful day. I guess I'll sleep for the night."

He got up and wore his sleepwear. He then turned off the room's lights and got into bed. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he got up as he felt something heavy fall on his stomach. He got up from the bed, ran to the switchboard, and turned the lights on. He then looked at his bed and saw the cat again sitting straight on his bed. But this time the cat was growling. Ray became nervous as he thought he must've done something offensive unknowingly. He slowly asked, "Uhm. You're back? Did you forget something or…?"

The cat interrupted him and asked, "Why didn't you ask me to get into a contract with you?"

Ray gets shocked and said, "HUH!! Contract?"

"Yes, a contract. I know you've felt it too. We have good compatibility. I can feel our spirit lines attracting each other."

Ray calmed down and said, "I'm sorry, but I didn't notice. But why didn't you just say that we're compatible then? Why all the acting like leaving and stuff?"

"I wanted you to ask for the contract."

"But why?"

The cat remained silent. After a while, the cat said, "So, are you signing a contract with me or not?"

Ray thought for a moment and got close to the bed. He said, "Yes. Let's do it."

The cat got ready, and Ray said, "O holy spirit. I, Ray Foster, hereby ask you to make a contract with me and help me to cleanse the world."

The cat replied, "I accept."

They felt their spirit lines merging. The cat said, "Now, the final step. Give me a name."

Ray looked at the cat and after a while, said, "Yuki. That will be your name. It's Japanese for the word snow."

The cat looked happy and said, "I like it. I, Yuki, shall be in your care from now on."