In a quiet house where the fireplace flickered softly and the couch bore the marks of many naps, a ginger tabby named Marlowe ruled the living room with lazy elegance. Draped across the backrest like a regal throw, one paw hung carelessly over the edge, his head tilted just enough to suggest deep contemplation or perhaps silent judgment. Marlowe was no ordinary napper. He was a strategist.
From his perch, Marlowe surveyed his kingdom, the flickering hearth, the soft blanket tossed with abandon, and the occasional rustle from the hallway. But today, something stirred beyond the usual rhythm. A shadow moved in the bedroom. It was Selby.
Selby, the long haired tabby with a coat like storm clouds and eyes that missed nothing, had taken up position on a cardboard box. She was the quiet one, the observer, the planner. While Marlowe basked in the spotlight, Selby preferred the shadows watching, waiting, calculating.
Their plan had been weeks in the making. It began with the mysterious disappearance of the feather toy, followed by the silent relocation of the treat stash from the kitchen drawer to beneath the bed. Marlowe played the part of the distraction, charming with his tilted head and dangling paw, while Selby executed the maneuvers with surgical precision.
Tonight was the final act.
Marlowe locked eyes with Selby across the room. No words passed between them none were needed. Selby leapt from her box, landing with the grace of a practiced acrobat. Marlowe slid from the couch, his movements fluid and deliberate. Together, they padded toward the closed pantry door.
A soft thud. A calculated push. The door creaked open.
Inside, the treasure awaited, a forgotten bag of salmon treats, sealed but vulnerable. Selby took the lead, her claws working the zipper with practiced ease. Marlowe stood guard, ears twitching at every sound.
Success.
As they feasted in silence, the fireplace crackled behind them, casting long shadows across the floor. The couch, now empty, bore witness to the brilliance of their scheme. Two cats, one plan, and a pantry no longer secure.
Tomorrow, they would return to their posts Marlowe to his throne, Selby to her box. But tonight, they were legends.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
