That Cat Is Acting Strange
Chapter 1
My husband’s ex-girlfriend’s cat was breastfeeding my daughter.
I grabbed my phone and livestreamed the whole creepy thing.
The livestream blew up, and someone offered me a fortune for the cat.
I agreed to sell it, but my husband went ballistic, clutching the cat and yelling that it wasn’t for sale.
Even my usually doting sister-in-law, Sarah, chewed me out, saying I was out of my mind.
I’d seen this all before. In my past life, I’d discovered the cat, Mittens, nursing my baby girl, Lily. The look of contentment on Lily’s face had terrified me.
What was even more horrifying was that Mittens’ chest was completely hairless, smooth and pale like a nursing woman’s.
And this same cat usually hissed and scratched at me, preferring to cuddle up with my husband, John, every night.
The memory made my skin crawl. Back then, I’d decided to get rid of the cat.
But John, normally so mild-mannered, had become enraged.
“I raised this cat! She’s like my child!”
“If you get rid of Mittens, we’re through!”
Sarah had also urged me to keep the cat, even giving me a sleeping pill, saying I was stressed.
That night, Lily died in my arms, and I died of grief soon after.
After my death, I learned the truth: Mittens was John’s ex-wife, Jessica, somehow inhabiting the cat’s body, and Lily was the key to her getting mine.
Their goal was to steal my life.
Now, I was back.
A sharp knock startled me back to the present.
Sarah’s face peeked through the cracked door.
She glanced at Lily in my arms, then whispered, “Dinner’s ready, Amy.”
“Come on out.”
She beckoned me excitedly.
“Eat up before it gets cold.”
My mind raced as I automatically got up and followed her.
On the dining room table, Mittens sat perched on the head chair, licking a plate.
John, beaming, offered her a piece of pork.
Seeing me, she looked up, her eyes full of defiance.
A chill ran down my spine.
I was reborn!
On our wedding night, John had brought home a huge Siamese cat.
He’d said, “My ex, Jessica, passed away. Her parents can’t take care of Mittens, so I brought her here.”
I loved animals and believed in trust between husband and wife.
So I agreed, even setting up a special space for the cat.
Soon, though, I realized something was wrong.
Mittens hated me.
She’d hiss and swipe at me whenever I came near.
And every night, she slept curled up in John’s arms.
Sometimes, I’d hear soft, almost human-like murmurs from the cat in the middle of the night.
After I got pregnant, I told John the cat couldn’t sleep in our bed anymore.
Mittens had lunged at me, claws out, ready to attack.
If John hadn’t intervened, my face would have been shredded.
Furious, I wanted to get rid of the cat.
But John pleaded with me. “Cats are smart. She understands you.”
“You hurt her feelings when you talked about sending her away.”
Sarah had chimed in, “You’re okay. Mittens is a special cat, very intuitive.”
“She’d be a stray if you got rid of her. Think of the poor thing!”
I softened, hesitated, and finally agreed to keep Mittens.
But on one condition: she stayed out of my bedroom.
John agreed, but then he started sleeping in the guest room with Mittens.
I was angry but focused on my baby.
Then, after Lily was born, things got weirder.
I couldn’t breastfeed, so I bought formula.
Lily refused to drink it.
I tried different brands, but nothing worked.
Just as I was about to take her to the doctor, I saw it: Mittens was breastfeeding Lily!
She’d positioned herself over my baby, and Lily was happily suckling.
Gulp after gulp of cat milk.
And there it was: Mittens’ hairless, smooth chest.
Like a woman’s breast.
I almost lost it, screaming that the cat had to go.
But John had yelled at me, “You’re so petty! Can’t you even tolerate a cat in this huge house!”
I tried to explain what I’d seen, but he just scoffed, saying I was crazy.
Sarah had calmed me down, giving me a sleeping pill.
“You’re just stressed. Postpartum depression.”
“Cats can’t breastfeed babies!”
She’d soothed me, and I’d felt better.
But later that night, I woke up to find Lily cold and lifeless.
I tried to scream, but no one was home. My breath grew ragged, and I died beside my daughter.
Only in death did I learn the horrifying truth: it was all a twisted plot!
John, Sarah, and Mittens—they all wanted my body.
Lily and I were just sacrifices in their sick game.
My fists clenched at the memory.
Looking at the two humans and the cat at the table, a wave of hatred washed over me.
But I thought of my daughter, still alive in her crib, and forced myself to calm down.
This time, they would pay.
“Amy, what are you standing there for?”
“Sit down!”
Sarah handed me a bowl of dark, murky soup.
“Drink this while it’s hot. It’s good for you.”
“It’ll help with your milk supply.”
She nudged the bowl towards me, her eyes expectant.
Before, I would have drunk it without a second thought.
But now, I set the bowl down gently. “It’s a little hot. I’ll drink it later.”
That soup was designed to dry up my milk.
After drinking it in my past life, I’d been unable to breastfeed.
That’s when Mittens had taken over.
Sarah looked disappointed. “Okay, just don’t forget.”
I ignored her and sat down next to John.
I nuzzled my face against his, saying sweetly, “Honey, I’m craving your pot roast.”
I felt him stiffen.
His first reaction wasn’t to answer me but to glance nervously at Mittens.
The cat noticed, baring her teeth in a snarl.
Her eyes turned vicious.
“Honey? Are you going to make it for me?”
“I’d also love some ribs and stir-fried bok choy.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder, my hand casually stroking his abs.
My eyes never left Mittens.
She was now fully bristled, emitting a strange, guttural growl.
It sounded less like a cat and more like a low, distorted woman’s scream.
I’d provoked her, but it wasn’t enough.
I stared at her, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
She lunged.
I dodged, hiding behind John.
Mittens didn’t want to hurt him, so she braked hard, but momentum carried her forward.
She knocked the bowl of milk-drying soup to the floor.
I seized the moment, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck and throwing her to the ground.
“You’re living under my roof, not on it!”
I kicked her hard in the chest.
Mittens yowled in pain, her bravado gone.
John shoved me hard. “Are you crazy?!”
“What’s wrong with you?!”
Sarah shrieked, scooping up Mittens.
“Amy, you’re insane!”
“Why are you torturing a cat?! You could have killed her!”
John was livid, his eyes red with rage.
I smiled, looking at the disheveled cat, saliva dripping from her mouth.
Sarah sobbed, cradling Mittens. “Don’t argue! We need to get her to the vet!”
They scrambled for their coats. As they left, John snarled, “If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive you!”
I watched them go, my heart pounding.
I immediately called a security company.
“I need five hidden cameras.”
“Yes, with audio.”
“How soon can you install them? I’ll pay extra for a rush job.”
Once they confirmed, I finally relaxed.
Lily’s cries echoed from the bedroom.
I rushed in, picking her up and soothing her.
I tried breastfeeding her. Seeing her latch on and drink contentedly, I burst into tears.
After Lily was asleep, Sarah called.
“Amy, did you drink that soup?”
“There’s more in the pot. Make sure you drink it.”
I kept my voice even. “I will, Sarah.”
“I promise.”
“How’s Mittens?” I sniffed, pretending to cry. “I’m so sorry, Sarah.”
“I’m just stressed. It was a moment of weakness.”
“Is she going to be okay?”
A pause, then a heavy sigh. “She’s fine. Just shaken up.”
Her voice sharpened. “Don’t ever do that again!”
“Do you hear me?”
“Yes. When are you coming back?”
“Tonight. Remember the soup.”
She hung up.
The security guys arrived.
By the time they finished, it was almost 6 PM. I had them dispose of the soup on their way out.
John and Sarah returned around 11 PM.
Seeing me waiting by the door, John clutched Mittens protectively.
I apologized profusely, saying I was wrong.
“You think a simple ‘sorry’ cuts it?”
“That’s a living being! What were you thinking?”
“Luckily, she’s okay! If anything had happened… I… I wouldn’t have let you get away with it!”
I saw a flicker of something dark, something almost murderous, in his eyes.
Mittens, nestled comfortably in his arms, blinked at me, sticking out her tongue.
She placed a paw possessively on John’s chest.
Sarah went straight to the kitchen. Seeing the empty pot, she smiled and came out.
“Amy, you finished it?”
I nodded. She exchanged a look with John.
“Good. We’re going to bed.”
“It’s late. You should too.”
John carried Mittens into the bedroom. Just before the door closed, I saw him kiss the cat’s face.
At 1 AM, I was wide awake.
Lily’s feeding time was in half an hour, and a knot of dread twisted in my stomach.
Ten minutes later, my bedroom door creaked open.
John whispered, “Amy? Amy?”
“Are you asleep?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, not daring to move.
He tiptoed in, thinking I was asleep.
I peeked through half-closed lids as he gently placed Mittens next to Lily.
Mittens arched her back, then lowered herself, positioning her chest over Lily’s mouth.
The moonlight filtering through the curtains illuminated her smooth, hairless chest.
It looked like a fully developed woman’s breast.
Lily stirred in her sleep, her mouth opening instinctively.
A soft, pained cry escaped Mittens.
John tensed. “Baby? What’s wrong?”
“Does it hurt?” he whispered to the cat.
Mittens shook her head, whimpering.
Lily, not getting any milk, sucked harder.
Then she started to cry.
I opened my eyes, and John quickly picked up Mittens.
“What’s going on?”
He looked panicked. “Nothing. I just missed you. Wanted to sleep with you tonight.”
He kept glancing at Mittens.
“Since Lily’s awake, you take care of her.”
“I’ll just go…”
He hurried out, cat in arms.
I nursed Lily, my heart aching, and opened the camera feed from Sarah’s room.
“No milk? Impossible!”
“She should be overflowing after that potion!” John’s voice was frantic.
“Lily sucked until her mouth was red, and still nothing!”
Sarah sounded bewildered. “How can that be?”
“What about Amy? Does she have milk?”
John hesitated. “I… I think so.”
“I didn’t check!”
“Don’t worry. Maybe I didn’t use enough of the herbs in the soup.”
“I’ll give her more tomorrow. That’ll fix it.”
Watching them, I felt sick.
I opened my livestream. It was already packed.
John would never know that I’d broadcast Mittens trying to nurse Lily.
People were asking if the cat was for sale, sending private messages with exorbitant offers.
I chose a buyer in my city.
“One hundred bucks. She’s yours.”
He seemed skeptical. “A cat this special… for so little?”
“Yeah. I don’t want her.”
I sent him my address. “She’s not easy to catch. Bring some friends tomorrow.”
“Make sure they’re all men. 7:30 AM sharp.”
I closed the app.
Lily, fed and content, was fast asleep.
But I couldn’t sleep. I lay in bed, anticipating the morning.
At 7:20 AM sharp, Sarah entered my room with another bowl of dark soup.
She insisted I drink it.
I refused, and her face hardened. “You will drink this!”
A knock at the door.
I pushed past Sarah, baby in arms, and opened the door.
Seven or eight large men stood outside.
The one in front grinned. “You the one selling the cat?”
I nodded and ushered them in.
Sarah, sensing something was wrong, woke John.
“Who are these people?”
“What are they doing here?”
Mittens padded out behind him.
I said casually, “They’re here to buy the cat.”
I glanced at the lead man. “There she is, the special, intuitive one. Go ahead and catch her.”
“If you can do it barehanded, she’s free.”
The men, already excited, sprang into action.
Mittens was quick, darting around the room, making it difficult for them with John and Sarah trying to interfere.
But there were too many of them. Finally, one man grabbed her tail, holding her upside down.
She struggled, swiping with her claws.
He smacked her on the head, and she went limp.
John lunged for the cat, but the man tossed her to a friend, turning to me with a grin.
“Got her! Free of charge, right?”
Before I could answer, John grabbed me by the shirt.
“It was you!” he hissed.
“Why would you do this?”
“Give her back! Now!”
He couldn’t take on the men, so he turned his rage on me.
“Answer me!”
Lily, woken by the commotion, started wailing.
Sarah tried to take her from my arms.
“Amy, this is wrong!”
“That cat isn’t yours, and it’s not John’s either.”
“It’s Jessica’s!”
“She may be gone, but the cat is still hers!”
“What gives you the right?”
I wriggled free of John’s grasp.
One of the men took Lily from me.
“She’s not mine, but she lives under my roof, eats my food.”
“That gives me the right.”
John pulled out his phone.
He grabbed my arm. “Fine! Fine!”
“I’m calling the cops!”
He glared at the men. “This is breaking and entering! Theft!”
“That cat is my property!”
“I’m calling 911!”
He fumbled with his phone.
Sarah chimed in, shrieking about how heartless I was.
“Do you know why my brother can’t stand you?”
“Because you’re a horrible person!”
“You have no soul!”
I laughed. They weren’t even bothering to pretend anymore.
As he was about to dial, I said calmly, “Go ahead.”
I pulled a small knife from my pocket, holding it against Mittens’ belly. “If you call the police, I’ll gut her right here, right now.”
“No!”
“Don’t!”
John dropped his phone, his hands raised in surrender.
“I won’t call! I won’t!”
“Please don’t hurt Jess… don’t hurt the cat!”
“Amy, please be reasonable.”
Sarah’s face was ashen, her body trembling.
She reached out tentatively. “Please, Amy, it’s a living creature!”
Mittens, stirring, opened her eyes and struggled frantically.
But her paws were bound, her body held firmly.
Her belly and chest were fully exposed.
John dropped to his knees.
He clutched my leg. “Amy, I know I haven’t been the best husband.”
“I know I’ve neglected you because of… because of Mittens.”
He choked back sobs. “Please, just let her go.”
He held up three fingers. “I swear.”
“After this, I’ll be a better husband. I promise.”
Mittens howled as he spoke.
Combined with Lily’s cries, the house was in chaos.
Sarah joined him on her knees, tugging at my other leg.
They both begged me to spare the cat.
“Cats are spiritual beings, Amy. If you kill her…”
“She’ll come back to haunt you!”
I glanced at the buyer, and he shook his head subtly.
I put the knife away.
John scrambled to his feet, trying to soothe me.
“Amy, I know you’re a good person.”
“Just let her go.”
“Her owner is already dead. She’s been through enough!”
I couldn’t stand to listen anymore, so I shoved him hard.
“Enough, John! And you!”
I pointed at Sarah. “Are you done with this charade?”
“Is that a cat, or a person?”
“Don’t you think I know?”
“Remember, if you don’t want her dead, don’t call the cops.”
I turned and walked away.
As I left the complex, Mittens was still thrashing, her face contorted in pain and hatred.
I pointed at her. “She’s all yours, Mr. Moneybags.”
The buyer, whose name was actually Frank, grinned. “Don’t you worry.”
“I’ll take care of this. And you? You need to divorce that creep.”
I nodded, clutching Lily close.
While messaging Frank yesterday, he’d told me the cat was possessed and he knew how to deal with it.
That’s why I’d given him my contact info.
“Does your cat seem… human?” he’d asked.
“She’s breastfeeding your daughter to weaken her, to make her body more susceptible to a takeover.”
“Your daughter is the vessel, you’re the anchor. You’re connected.”
“Killing your daughter is the first step in possessing you.”
Frank had given me so much information in just a minute.
I knew I’d found my answer.
I’d told him everything.
“The cat is my husband’s ex-wife, Jessica.”
“And my ‘sister-in-law’ is actually Jessica’s real sister.”
They’d tricked me during the divorce.
The marriage certificate was fake. John had a friend forge it.
The whole thing was a sham.
I’d been so blinded by love that I hadn’t seen through it.
The thought made my stomach churn.
“Give me your address,” Frank had said. “I’ll bring some guys and get that cat.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t worry.”
I’d given him my address and number.
“Don’t worry about the cat,” he’d assured me. “I’ll handle it. You should take your daughter and hide somewhere safe for a while.”
I’d thanked him, and now, I followed his advice.
Fearing John and Sarah would follow, I took a cab to a hotel.
I couldn’t go to my parents; they were too old for this stress.
I settled Lily in the hotel room, a nagging unease in my gut.
Around 10 PM, Frank called.
His voice was frantic. “Amy, I messed up!”
My heart sank. “What happened?”
He was silent for a moment. “I lost the cat! She got away!”
“But don’t worry, I’ve got people looking for her.”
“I’m so sorry, Amy!”
I barely heard the rest of what he said.
My mind raced.
Where was Mittens?
I looked at Lily, sleeping peacefully. Where was that cat?
Was my daughter in danger?
Fear clawed at me.
Then John called. I didn’t want to answer, but he kept calling.
“Amy, where are you?”
“Lily’s just a baby. You can be mad at me, but think of her!”
His voice was gentle, concerned.
But underneath, I heard desperation.
“John, how dare you?”
“You’re still pretending!”
“I know everything! I know about Jessica!”
I lowered my voice, hissing into the phone. “That cat is your ex-wife, isn’t it?”
“You want to sacrifice me and Lily to bring her back!”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Silence. Then a scuffle.
Sarah’s voice, shrill and high-pitched, filled the line. “Amy, it’s Sarah.”
“Where are you?”
“It’s so late! You can’t be alone with Lily!”
“You’re still recovering! What if something happens to you?”
Her voice cracked. “I understand you’re angry with John.”
“You don’t like Mittens? Fine!”
“John and I talked. We’ll get rid of her! We’ll come get you and Lily!”
“Just come home! Don’t put us through this, Amy!”
“It’s late! We’re worried sick!”
“Stop pretending!”
“I told you, I know about your plan!”
More silence. Then John’s voice, exploding in rage. “You bitch! Where are you?!”
“Are you at your parents’ house?!”
“I’m outside right now! If you don’t come out, I’m breaking in!”
I could hear the madness in his voice.
There was no reasoning with him.
“Do what you want.”
I hung up, blocking both their numbers.
I called my parents to assure them I was okay.
“If he bothers you, call the police.”
“I’m fine. I’ll explain everything later.”
I hung up, lying back on the bed, my mind a whirl of fear and uncertainty.
Where could Mittens be?
I felt dizzy.
I got up to get some water.
A scratching sound came from the window.
Not the sound of wind.
Something was clawing at the glass.
I pulled back the curtains.
Mittens was on the ledge outside, staring at me with furious eyes.
I gasped. “How did you find me?”
She understood. She tilted her head, a snarl twisting her lips.
Then she swiped at the screen, ripping it with her claws.
Again and again. I didn’t dare try to stop her.
Her claws were sharp, and she clearly wanted to hurt me.
My fear gave her the opening she needed.
She jumped inside.
Her fur was on end. She looked around, her gaze settling on Lily in the crib.
I scooped up my daughter and ran to the bathroom, slamming the sliding door shut.
Mittens howled and scratched at the door.
Frank’s phone call was a lifeline.
“Frank, she’s here! The cat’s here!”
“What do I do?”
“What do I do?!”
