Arthur and the Djinn -Series 1, Chapters 2 and 3

Chapter 2

Isabelle arrived at work and Cath greeted her warmly with her big dramatic smile.

'Good morning Isabelle!'

You could never tell if she was pissed off or not. She might have kept Isabelle on her toes and wondering about her own actions but Isabelle felt like she could be herself at work and that Cath was mostly accepting.

'You have made it! Good to see you', said Cath tilting her head. Cath then suddenly stepped in front of Isabelle, stopping her. Cath held her hand up and was tight lipped and frowning. 'Woah! Stop. No you don't. What is that?', asked Cath, pointing. 'Show me'. Cath eyed the way Isabelle had the bottom of her jumper bunch up and waited to see what Isabelle would say.

Isabelle unballed her jumper to expose the young kitten she held inside.

'Oh Isabelle... really?' asked Cath, screwing up her face. Cath called to a woman in the corner who was folding a newspaper returning it to a stack. 'Tanya. Please come here. Can you take this?'

'Hi Isabelle' smiled the woman warmly.

'Hi Tanya' greeted Isabelle, relieved. Isabelle knew Tanya was a Veterinarian. This was how it worked. There was always a series of coincidences after you helped Leonard. They used to be interesting but now it felt like a charade. 'Oh I'm so glad you are here' she forced herself to say, as if concerned 'I found this kitten.'

Tanya looked at the kitten and took it from Isabelle who felt glad that it was over.

'Oh' said Tanya looking over it slightly. 'I'm on my way to work now. I'll give her a health check' said Tanya on her way out.

Isabelle grinned and waved. 'Good riddance' she thought.

'Just swing on by afterwards and then come pick her up.'

'Oh... no...' fumbled Isabelle. 'You've got it all wrong. I can't keep this. I don't want a cat.' Tanya just smiled at Isabelle like she said something funny and then walked out.

Cath then swarmed Isabelle, flapping her arms, shooing her in to the back of the shop. Get that filthy jumper off and go wash your hands.

Isabelle pulled a face and glared at her Rebecca who giggled at her from behind the coffee machine.

'It's too hot anyway'

Isabelle was suddenly very glad she didn't mention where she found the cat. No one goes to Queens Square anymore, as strange as that sounded, even though it wasn't that far away.

Chapter 3

Isabelle stared at the bundle of blankets she had placed in the box that had swaddled the little kitten and remembered how much she hated Leonard right now.

'Leonard. What the hell?' she sighed, shaking her head.

Isabelle had seen Tanya after work and was told it that the kitten appeared to be in perfect health but had an irregular heartbeat and was unlikely to survive very long. Tanya had given Isabelle (who refused to take the kitten home) food, bedding and litter while apologising that she could not care for the cat and was 'not a babysitting service', while ushering her out the door. The kitten had cuddled in to her and fallen asleep after brining her home, only to suddenly stop breathing, much to Isabelle's horror, while she was still holding her.

Confused and a bit disorientated from the whole experience, Isabelle fumbled through her actions which followed such as considering calling Cath in case she knew Tanya's phone number and preparing to throw the cat in to the garbage bin outside. Isabelle found herself walking in circles.

'What does everyone else do when their cat dies?''. She then returned the cat to the box of blankets and stepped back. 'Yuk'.

'Oh come on. Don't tell me you've never seen a dead body before?' came a voice from the side of Isabelle.

The Djinn stepped forward from the wall and walked towards Isabelle slowly. Isabelle peered at the Djinn. Even though she had never seen one before, she had seen enough weird creatures in her time since knowing Leonard that she knew not to show fear or come off as too brave or ready for battle. It was always better to be underestimated but if you could help it maybe also not too vulnerable.

'You're not welcome here' said Isabelle.

'I'm here for the cat,' said the Djinn. 'Are you ready?'

Isabelle was not in the mood for this.'Just take your cat and go' she said frowning at the Djinn.

The Djinn smirked 'I'm not taking your cat. I will help you. See?' said the Djinn.

The cat changed. It grew larger and its fur became dark, smooth and shiny. It then began to move, stretching it's legs and then got out of the box and licking itself.

'Oh,' said Isabelle, with a palm extended towards the cat, now definitely sick of it. This was as annoying as hell. 'Well it is definitely not the same cat now so please, take your cat.... and go.'

'Oh Isabelle,' said the Djinn. 'I'm on your side. Why are you always trying to get rid of me?' The Djinn pouted. 'Pathetic', thought Isabelle.

'Name the cat and I promise to give you whatever you want.'

Isabelle laughed sarcastically. 'Ok then.... Nightshade..... and I want the power to freeze time.'

The Djinn rolled her eyes. 'Isabelle. Not yet. Try again.'

'A real skeleton key, made of the bone of a real witch' dared Isabelle. 'I want a key that has access to any door I wish, even if it doesn't have a keyhole. No exceptions. No weird shit'

'Oh goody' clapped the Djinn excitedly and handed Isabelle a white key with carved intricate designs. 'I love this one. Let's go!

Isabelle stepped out of her front door and on the street with the Djinn and Nightshade following silently. It had rained today and a strange mist lifted from the road. She preferred to walk. It felt good and she could focus on her surroundings better. Isabelle stopped four metres along the footpath at a postal box, crouched down and tried her key.

The Djinn clicked her tongue and shook her head 'What a waste Isabelle. You could have asked for anything.'

Isabelle frowned at the Djinn and the ignored her. She had gotten used to dealing with Leonard in the same way.The key turned in the lock and the access door opened. Isabelle looked inside, mainly out of curiosity before closing it again and standing up.

Isabelle looked around and waited a few short moments before Leonard appeared.

'Lenny' cheered the Djinn.

Isabelle looked on.

Leonard was silent.

Isabelle knew that Leonard would let her lead this time.

'Now we're talking'