Maid to Perfection
Chapter Two: Power Times Two
By: Queen Beryl

Well, maybe not catastrophic, but it sounded like a good pun, right?

Soon, the felines were swarming me. I back flipped out of the middle of the group, only to stumble my landing and squish on one of the cats. I hoped it wasn’t Hex.

“So, you think you can avoid my minions, do you?” Cat Eye lowered the pan flute from his painted black lips. I stood up and placed my hands on my hips.

“Using animals like this is against the ASPCA!” I cried out, stamping my foot.

“In that case…” Cat Eye closed his eyes and played a different tune on his flute. The cats began to form a circle around me, leaving a radius of about three feet. They all sat down, motionless, and stared at me. I was about to step forward and attack Cat Eye, but I realized that I couldn’t move. My legs wouldn’t cooperate with my brain signals.

Suddenly, the tune changed just a little, and my arms stretched out to my sides. My legs began to bend and move around against my will. Cat Eye was now using his magical flute to make me do his bidding, which, at the moment, was dancing! Normally, I wasn’t too bad of a dancer; I mean, I couldn’t possibly win competitions or anything, but I had some rhythm. Now, I looked like a monkey. I was embarrassed as well as furious. How on Earth was I supposed to defeat him when he had control of my every move?

The dancing was, of course, quite embarrassing, but then he made me dig into my pocket, which procured my switchblade. I was relieved he was didn’t know I knew a little magic; otherwise, I’d be demolishing walls of important buildings like the bank.

I opened the switchblade and twisted it expertly in my hand. I wished I was coordinated enough to do that on my own. I held out my wrist and slowly the knife made its way until it was resting on the light brown flesh that covered my vein. My eyes widened, and my knife-wielding hand shook in protest. He was going to force me to slit my wrists!

“Surely there has to be another way to kill the hero.” A new voice declared from off to my left. I sighed heavily; I knew that voice well.

“And who are you to give out such pointers?” Cat Eye questioned, his music stopping. I flung my knife into the crowd of cats to get it away from me.

“It is I, the champion of goodness and hope; I am-”

“Captain Justice.” I seethed. The masked hero looked over at me with a grin.

“You know my name!” He cried with happy surprise. I rolled my eyes. I was doing that a lot lately.

“Of course. I have to – you’re my rival in heroism.” I retorted shortly.

“How wonderful; now I can kill you both at once!” Cat Eye put the flute to his lips.

“Cover your ears!” Captain Justice yelled, his hands flying to his ears. I followed suit, hearing just two notes before the suction cup sound hit my ears. The music was muffled, and apparently was not working, unless he wanted me to stand there and stare at him. His cat-face distorted in anger; then the cats attacked. They came after Captain Justice and me. Well, not him, but he used the cats against us.

“What’s the worst he can do?” Captain Justice demanded, throwing the cats off him. One of the cats hit Cat Eye, startling him into ceasing to play.

“He made me dance!” I said incredulously, standing up.

“That madman must be stopped!” Captain Justice exclaimed. I could tell he was being sarcastic. I glared at him behind my mask. What an idiot.

“I’m gonna go now.” I informed him as I turned back to the villain at hand.

“No, wait, don’t go. I need your help in fighting Cat Boy.”

“It’s Cat Eye!” Cat Eye called out sensitively. “If you’re going to insist on believing you can defeat me, at least refer to me by my correct name.”

“I wonder if he’s just an irate English teacher.” Captain Justice mumbled, shaking his head. “He speaks too… arrogantly.”

“I am not arrogant!” Cat Eye shouted, putting the instrument to his lips. The cats became a mass of, no, wait, it was like a giant cat, only it didn’t take the form of a cat. It was a gaggle of cats – and they collapsed onto Captain Justice and me.

I struggled against the heavy weight of the cats and burst through their body barrier. I stood, surrounded by cats that I was sure were quite injured.

“What, my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?” Cat Eye questioned, finally lowering his flute. I glared at him. I hate it when villains quote Shakespeare. Especially when it’s an insult to me.

“Look, Catty, I don’t have time to just mess around.” I leapt into the air, over the cats, and rushed to Cat Eye. He began playing his flute just in time. I stopped, just feet from him, unable to move.

“Women never learn.” Captain Justice said, appearing just above Cat Eye. He picked him up, startling Cat Eye into dropping his flute. I collapsed forward onto the asphalt street, skinning my knees. I grabbed the instrument and held on tightly; there was no way Cat Eye was ever getting hold of it again.

Captain Justice was about ten feet in the air before he smirked and dropped Cat Eye. The villain fell with a hard thud and a groan. He struggled to get up, but Captain Justice landed swiftly on top of him with one foot. He whistled – the signal for the police. Several officers came to arrest Cat Eye.

“I believe that a ‘thanks’ is in order.” Captain Justice smiled at me as the cops dragged Cat Eye to his feet. I blanched.

“I didn’t need your help, so no ‘thanks’ will be given. I was perfectly capable of handling the situation.” I replied smugly.

“The lady doth protest too much,” Cat Eye stated as he was guided past us. I reached over and punched him in the jaw.

“Villains and Shakespeare just don’t mix.” I glared after him before brushing off my hands. I knew somehow that Captain Justice just wouldn’t let this “I helped you” thing dropped. So, I swallowed my pride.

I reluctantly stuck out my hand towards Captain Justice. He grinned roguishly and shook it slowly, deliberately lingering. I sighed resignedly. I wanted to tell him my alter-ego had a boyfriend.

“Thanks for the assistance.” I said instead. He nodded as I yanked my hand out of his.

“No problem, Omega Guardian. We heroes should stick together. What do ya say about teaming up?”

“Absolutely not. I work alone. Always.” I emphasized. Captain Justice looked a little surprised that I’d turned him down. I’d only met him four times before, and somehow he’d ended up annoying, arrogant, and saving me. I’d rather not make it a permanent thing.

“Oh well, perhaps next time.” He smiled before leaping into the air and taking off. I glared after him. How about Captain Conceited? That name suited him better.

I frowned and ran home, making sure I wasn’t being followed. I was a couple of houses away when I dashed into the backyard and just jumped fences until I was in my own backyard. I leapt into my open bedroom window. I sighed heavily and collapsed on my bed. Just then, someone knocked at my bedroom door. I scrambled up and rushed into the closet to change into lounging clothes.

“Alicia, honey, are you awake?” Mom’s voice was muffled by the closed door. I rushed out of my closet and opened my bedroom door.

“Hi, Mom.” I greeted, smiling.

“Are you okay?” Mom asked, feeling my forehead.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“Because I just got a call from Toby and Gabriel, and they were asking if you felt any better.”

Crap! I’m supposed to be sick! Darn my forgetfulness!

“Well, I went to sleep for a little and now I feel just fine. It might have been over-excitement.” I lied as best as I could. Mom nodded with a knowing smile.

“I forgot; it’s your one-year anniversary today, isn’t it? Tell me all about it.” Mom came in and sat down on my bed, ready to hear about my anniversary celebration. I sat across from her and related the whole story, leaving out the part where I changed into my hero-ego and went to fight Cat Eye. Nobody knows about my hero-life.

“I like Toby.” Mom said at my conclusion. “He’s such a thoughtful boy.”

“Do you want me to hook you up?” I smiled. “He’s single, too.”

“I only go for older men.” Mom grinned, lightly slapping my knee.

“Do you think you’ll ever start dating?” I questioned seriously. “I want to see you happy.”

“Sweetie, I am happy. I have the two sweetest daughters in the world. I had the love of the greatest man I’d ever met – what more could I possibly want?”

“But don’t you get lonely?” I asked. Mom brushed her dark brown hair away from her face and smiled.

“Never. When your father died when you were still in my stomach, I missed and mourned him; however, I had your sister to keep me company. Then when you came, I had you and her. I go on knowing I’m raising the children of the only man I’ll ever love. I miss him everyday, but I am never, ever lonely. Now, come help me make dinner.” Mom jumped up and headed for the kitchen. I smiled; I wish I could be like her. I know I couldn’t do it – I needed someone. I didn’t like not having anyone to hold on to.

“Alicia!” My sister, Kina, called. “Come help!”

I sighed and pranced into the kitchen. I paused once I entered the room. There stood Toby. Oh joy.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded. He blew me a kiss.

“Your mom invited me for dinner when I called to see how you were doing.”

“But then why isn’t Gabe here?” I asked Mom.

“He said he had something to take care of and would love a rain check.” Mom stated, setting random vegetables out for a dinner of vegetable stew. I rushed over to the carrots she’d put out after I ran my elbow deliberately into Toby’s back.

I sat down on the barstool and clutched the carrot to my chest. Toby sat next to me.

“Ah, it has been so long since I have caressed you.” I whispered.

“Me or the carrots?” Toby questioned.

“The carrots.”

“You’re insane.”

“And yet I’m the one with the boyfriend.”

“I don’t want one.” Toby shrugged.

“Admit it – you’re jealous that Gabe and I kiss and you and Gabe don’t!” I laughed and took a bite of the carrot I’d stolen.

“You’ve caught on. I’m completely jealous. Give him back to me.” Toby rolled his eyes and plucked the carrot from my hand, taking a huge bite.

“Hey!” I protested, reaching for the carrot.

“Hay is for horses.” Toby shoved the rest of the carrot into his mouth before I could get it. I punched his arm. I stood up and stole a cookie that was cooling.

“Eating that’ll make you fat, you know.” Toby stated smugly.

“It’s better than paying attention to you.” I countered.

“Ouch, I’m hurt.”

“Just your pride; you’ll get over it.” I sat with a seat between us, slowly eating my cookie in his face to show I didn’t care.

“You know, you two act like brother and sister.” Kina pointed out.

“Good thing we’re not.” Toby replied.

“Yeah, I might have to see you more than I do now.” I patted Toby on the back. He sighed, but didn’t say anything. Maybe he was sick.

“Alright, no more banter. Help me with dinner, my children.” Mom tapped her wooden spoon on the pot she’d pulled out from the cupboard.

“Anything I can do, Mrs. Salazar?” Toby offered.

“Don’t be silly, you’re my guest.” Mom waved a hand dismissively at Toby.

“Let me do something, at least.” Toby urged. He was always so nice to my mom. I could never understand it; it was so… anti-Toby.

“Stop staring,” Kina whispered to me as she passed behind me. I jumped and turned my eyes away from Toby; I hadn’t even realized I was watching him so closely.

“Meow.” Hex suddenly appeared and jumped onto the kitchen counter right in front of Toby. She purred deeply and rubbed against Toby’s arms. Toby petted her slowly.

“Hey there, pretty girl.” Toby grinned, putting his face close to Hex’s. She rubbed her face against his and purred deeply. I glared. That cat was blatantly flirting with my enemy! Well, I guess it was better than working for Cat Eye. I smiled at Hex; I just couldn’t stay mad at her.

“Alicia, go feed Hex.” Mom ordered, dropping cut-up carrots into the boiling pot of water. I got up and headed for the garage where we stored the cat food. I grabbed Hex’s bowl and began to fill it.

“Hex!” I called, turning around with the full bowl. I sighed. Usually she came running. I had to resort to drastic measures. “Toby! Tell Hex to come eat!”

“Hexy, go eat.” I heard Toby command. Hex trotted toward the garage door, where I’d set down her dish a few feet away. She sniffed airily, as though she was doing this as a favor to Toby. I shook my head. Hex was driving me bonkers.

“Why don’t you show me any respect?” I whispered heavily at Hex, who, of course, ignored me.

“She likes you, you know.” Toby commented as he leaned against the wall behind me. I jumped.

“Where did you come from?” I demanded.

“The kitchen.” Toby stated matter-of-factly. “Hex does like you, even though she doesn’t show it. There’s no need to be jealous.”

“Jealous?” I scoffed. “Of you? Ha! Don’t make me gag.”

“You know, you’re cute when you’re envious.” Toby winked dramatically. I wanted to poke out his eyes.

“I wish I knew the incantation to make you disappear.” I said as I skipped back to the kitchen. Toby chuckled and followed me. He thought I was joking, but really, life would be better if he wasn’t hanging about. At least Hex would like me better. Maybe.

A/N:

Thanks to my three reviewers: Pumpkin Pie Eyes, Crewger, and IndigoAzucena.