Chapter 4

I woke up to a foul smell. Caleb had retaliated. He had systematically urinated on every piece of new clothing the family had bought for me, which was neatly folded in the open suitcase on the floor. He' d also soiled the corner of the expensive rug.

He was perched on the wardrobe, looking down at his handiwork with smug satisfaction.

How do you like that, hillbilly? he gloated. Now you can wear your own filthy rags.

I didn't get angry. I got even.

I moved with a speed that caught him off guard, grabbing him from the wardrobe before he could react. I held him by the scruff of his neck, his legs dangling.

"Bad idea," I said calmly.

Then I started shaking him. Not violently, but with a steady, firm motion that rattled his teeth. His eyes went wide, then unfocused. By the time I stopped, he was dizzy and disoriented, his body limp in my hand.

I heard footsteps in the hall. Gabrielle. Perfect.

I quickly arranged the scene, laying the dazed cat on the soiled rug, and mussed my own hair, putting on a look of deep concern.

Gabrielle knocked and entered without waiting for an answer. "Ryan, is everything... oh my god, what is that smell?"

Her eyes fell on the mess, then on the "sick" cat.

"I don't know what happened," I said, my voice laced with worry. "I woke up and he was like this. He's been throwing up and... well, you can see. I think he's really sick."

Gabrielle rushed over, her face a mask of horror and pity. "Oh, Caleb! My poor baby!"

She scooped him up. Caleb was too dazed to do anything but moan weakly.

"We have to get him to the vet, right now!" she cried.

"I think so," I said, looking down at my ruined clothes. I put a sad, dejected expression on my face. "It's a shame. All these nice clothes you bought me... they're all ruined."

Guilt washed over her features. It was exactly what I wanted.

"Oh, Ryan, I'm so sorry," she stammered. "Don't worry about that. We'll get you new things."

"I wouldn't want to be a bother," I said meekly. "But I don't have anything else to wear."

"No, no, it's our fault," she insisted, pulling out her wallet. "Here." She handed me a thick stack of cash. "Go buy whatever you need. Please. Just take care of things here while I take him to the vet."

I counted it after she left. Five thousand dollars.

I immediately sent a picture of the cash to my mentor. Phase one complete. First funds secured.

Then I went online and wired the entire amount to an account my "brother" in the community had set up for the well project.

I looked around the stinking room and smiled. This was going to be easier than I thought.