Mystery
and the
Rainbow Bridge

“By the Rainbow’s Colors, he sure sleeps a long time!” squeaked a high-pitched voice right next to his ear. Mystery grumbled and shook his head. Someone nudged him. He blinked awake and found himself face-to-face with a cat. Fiery yellow eyes sparkled just a few paw-lengths from his nose. Startled, he squeezed his eyes shut again. Who was that? Maxie, his buddy back home, had yellow eyes too. But his fur was coal-black, not white like this stranger’s coat. No, this wasn’t Maxie. Besides, he was much slimmer. This cat was big—really big.

Mystery peeked cautiously through his lashes, fighting the instinct to leap away and seek cover. The stranger looked calm. If he meant harm, he surely would have done something by now.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just…” The cat hesitated. “I think it’s important that you drink some water. You’ll feel better afterward. Come on, right up here.”

Mystery slowly relaxed and looked around. He was lying on a stone ledge in a deep, rounded hollow. A long blade of grass poked through the moss padding and tickled his nose as he scanned his surroundings, ready to flee if needed. A cat’s length below stretched an uneven rock floor, almost circular in shape. Across from him lay a second stone bench, similar to the one he rested on. The mouse-gray walls and the ground faded into shadow. To the right, it was brighter: a narrow passage seemed to lead outside. He sighed softly, longing for the warm sunbeams of his favorite spot at home.

The white cat sat beside him, casually grooming a front paw. His fur shimmered in the dim light. Across his back lay a large black patch shaped like a cape fluttering in the wind. A dark stripe ran between his ears and ended beneath one eye, giving him a bold, slightly roguish look, as if he wore an eye patch.

Mystery yawned deeply. The muted colors of stone and moss, the dimness—all tempted him to drift off again. But curiosity stirred restlessly inside him and kept him awake.

“You look like a guy I saw on TV once,” he blurted, “when I was curled up next to Mom on the couch. His name was Zorro or something. Who are you? And where are we?”

“Zorro?” The cat chuckled. “Hehe, not bad, but nope. I’m Mookie, and I’m here to look after you. Let’s get you something to drink. I’ll explain the rest later.” With a quick leap, he jumped onto a narrow ledge above them that traced the cave wall.

“Here’s the water. Come on.” Impatiently, he flicked a few droplets in Mystery’s direction.

“Do we have to do that now? I’ve had so much water lately, I’m sick of it.” Mystery’s stomach growled so loudly that Mookie’s ears folded sideways like little sails.

“Why don’t you tell me where we are first? And I really need something to eat. My name’s Mystery, by the way.” He nestled deeper into the soft moss.

“Mystery. That’s quite an unusual name,” Mookie said. “But I like it.”

Suddenly Mystery shifted his weight, moved closer, and stared intensely at Mookie.

“Hey! Don’t stare. It’s rude,” Mookie protested. “I’m only trying to help.”

“Don’t move!” Mystery whispered urgently. “My breakfast is sitting right next to you. Talk about perfect timing.” His tail lashed wildly. Ignoring Mookie’s horrified expression and raised paws, he lifted his hindquarters and prepared to pounce.