Chapter 2 Answers

Momma came in a bit later and rubbed my back. When I felt myself want to purr I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Why me?" I whimpered to her. I just wanted to be normal.

She explained that when one parent is human, only about one in ten babies born are werecats. That is how the werecat population is thinning out. Werecats were despised and feared among supernatural creatures because of their numerous abilities. She had heard of some distant family of hers that were "peculiar." She would try to contact them in the morning.

She made sure I understood that no one could know any of this. I could only talk to her, and only when no one else was around. No diary, no drawings, no internet searches. The need for secrecy was so important. I couldn't even let my brothers know. They were already mad that I was starting to out-do them. It would become impossible to deal with them if they discovered their complaints were justified.

"What are abilities?" I whispered, my childlike voice echoing in my ears. I was afraid to know more but couldn't resist my curious nature.

"Well," she began, "Having claws for starters. Being able to climb a tree so quickly is a result of those claws. Also, I've heard you purr in your sleep for a while now. This is the reason I could never allow any sleepovers with the other girls on your team."

She took a deep breath and continued listing my abilities, "I don't know if you've noticed yet or not, but werecats are typically quick learners and very agile. You have always been good at school and sports. And..." she paused here and narrowed her eyes, "After today's behavior you are obviously able to transfer your thoughts....that was completely unacceptable by the way!"

"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't know it would really work." I let my real feelings out, "Now I will ever know if I would have won on my own. That Championship Title will always be tainted."

Looking away and willing my tears to stop threatening to spill, I tried to think of something else, something positive. I had noticed that most things came easily to me. Embarrassingly enough, I was pretty quick to point out my greatness to others. Humbleness had not entered my vocabulary. I had an advantage over the human kids and that was a sour pill to swallow. I wonder how I would rank with kids that had werecat blood. After all, I was only half werecat.

I could have added to Momma's list but I didn't really think that not sleeping at night, or loving fish would be considered an ability. I certainly didn't mention how I love to sneak out at night for no other reason than to prowl around the park and climb trees. I could have told her how I only ever wanted milk for meals, or how climbing trees calmed me and made me feel safe. I didn't mention any of these things, instead I thought, "What a whack job!"

The kids in my school always ignored me anyway, they thought I was weird. It didn't bother me though. I like being in my own company and never saw the need for a friend. None of the other kids could keep up anyway. Even the girls from the gym were irritating with all their fears. I often inwardly sneered when a skill scared them. I would use their fear to press my advantage. Coach loved my fearless attitude and little by little I was becoming the star. I adored the attention I received when I excelled. I could have cared less that not one of them considered me a friend....I cold sure use a friend now.

I looked up at Momma with big pleading eyes. I finally felt the fear I ridiculed the others for. "Please find out more momma, I'm scared."

As I lay there going over all this, I realized I was scared. I did not want to be the freak. What if I became a cat right in front of everyone at school? I longed to go back in time even one day, where I thought I was a great little human. Never again would I be able to think the same on this. I would have to hide my non human abilities from curious eyes. My stomach was in knots as I thought of all that meant. I snuggled in closer and tried to fall asleep. Momma went right on rubbing my back, and for this night I stayed home.