Flash Fiction #578 -- Neko's Vacation/4

 

It was only when they were halfway across the sound that Luna stopped looking over her shoulder as though she expected her enemies to show up at any moment.
After that, they found a quiet spot and discussed magic.  Neko thought Colin was starting to look a bit worn from all the magic used that day.

Neko had an idea, but he needed some answers, first.

"Where will you go when we reach New London?" Neko asked.

"There are some shelters in the area, and since I am getting there so early, it should be easy to find --"

"Do you drive?" Neko asked.

Colin started to say something and stopped.  Luna looked confused.

"That's not a bad idea," Colin conceded.  He smiled at Luna.  "It is a long drive to California.  Having a second person to drive means we could cover more distance in a shorter time."

"But you could get another fae, couldn't you?" Luna asked.

"We are trying to keep others from noticing us," he admitted.  "Or at least what we are doing."

"So you take along a talking cat?  You think that won't draw notice?"

"Two things," Colin said.  They were drawing closer to docking.  "First is a spell.  Once you move more than fifty feet away from Neko, you will forget that he talks or what you discussed with him."

"No!" she said, seriously appalled.

"Second," Colin continued.  "Neko is the perfect cover for a cross-country trip.  He was trapped by a spell in a single building for centuries.  Of course, he wants to get out and see things."

"And that's true, too," Neko agreed.

"I could call in more fae," Colin admitted.  "And I might, depending on what we find.  However, if we head out with that much magic, it is going to draw attention."

"I have magic," Luna reminded them.

"So do I," Neko added.  "But we aren't fae, so it is not the same.  If anyone with power does notice us, they'll see a human, a cat, and a fae."

"I don't know --"

"If it isn't working, you tell me, and I'll put you on a plane for wherever you want to go.  Take my hand.  You'll know the truth."

She did.  Colin repeated what he'd said.  She smiled brightly.

"Road trip!"

"Do you have a driver's license?" Colin asked.

Her emotions dropped.  "Not a current one."

"No problem." Colin pulled out his own license, looked it over, and passed his other hand over it.  Now there were two.  Colin studied Luna's face, which made her nervous.  Then he swept a tiny bit of magic over one card and held it out to her.

"Wow," she said.  "This looks perfect, except that the picture is too good.  No one's picture on these things look good."

"It'll pass any test," he promised.

"But you don't know if I can really drive or not!"

"The truth is that the car does most of the work on its own.  If you -- or I -- fall asleep at the wheel, it will simply pull off to the side of the road and put on the emergency blinkers.  We also won't need fuel, but we'll pretend we do if I suspect we're being watched.  We are not in a hurry."

"Good," Luna said.

They were soon off the ferry and into an area of red brick and white buildings.  Neko watched from Luna's lap.

Everywhere we have gone has looked different," Neko said.  "And how did there get to be so many people?When Maude and I arrived, there might have been 200,000."

"What was it like?" Luna asked.

Neko told her part of it and Colin filled in a few points of his own.  She soon caught on that he'd been around for centuries, too.  For some reason, she took the knowledge about Neko better than the same facts about Colin.

They did well, though. Late that night, they stopped at a small town hotel, got two rooms, and didn't leave again until late morning.

The two traded off driving.  They were soon on the back side of the Appalachians, despite having stopped many times along the way.  Neko thought the scenery gorgeous, and Colin found some of the locals fascinating.  Neko wasn't certain he gained any real information ... but they were not in a hurry.

Except Neko started getting an odd feeling as they crossed the mountains. He settled in the back seat  and watched every vehicle or group of tourists.

And the horses.

"Neko?" Colin said.  He might have said it once or twice already.

"Sorry -- distracted.  I don't know if you two can feel it, but there is some really old magic in these mountains, and it doesn't have a happy feel."

"Kind of a sting in the back of the head?" Luna asked.  "I always thought it was the start of a migraine."

"Do you think we can get clear of it, Neko?"

"I fear it's tracking us.  I can't decide if it's nebulous or corporal, though.  I suggest you find a good spot and see what it wants. It might just want us out of here."

"Maybe I should just drive on -- ah.  No."

Something appeared at the side of the road, a massive shape -- there and gone again.

Luna made a slight yip of sound.

"There is a pull off," Colin said and began angling that way.  "I'll step out to discuss the situation.  Luna, take the controls and be ready to run.  Neko, don't go out.  This is an apex predator from what I can feel.  She's not going to take a talking cat very seriously."

"She?" Neko asked.  "Spearfinger?"

"I get the feeling of ... a metamorph.  She might be what is left of many legends."

"And our magic could make her strong again," Neko added.

"Colin agreed with a silent nod.  He pulled over, but did not turn the engine off.  As he got out, Luna scrambled over to the driver's seat.

Something came to the edge of the woods.