When I first moved into my apartment it was lonely. The only other living things in the place were two plants that I had boosted from the grocery store. Used to always having Rowan underfoot I decided to get a pet. Dogs weren’t allowed here so the next solution was a cat. The bonus was that the mice disappeared from the outside hallway. Because of the WTF year I had had, I named them Karma and Jinx. Their names a product of my twisted sense of humor. Hell, I’d been jinxed and karma had taken me out so many times I figured I might as well invite them to live with me.
They were identical and impossible to tell them apart so I got different colored collars and gave them each their names. I would know which one was an issue by looking at the collar. It was perfect. It wasn’t too long before I realized I had named them correctly, or they decided to develop in their own personalities which suited their names perfectly.
Karma: Very much judge and jury. She sits at the window and watches the people go by, almost judging them. She is truly a bitch and refuses to let you touch her unless SHE wants it. She makes the calls. Dinner time she is very territorial and will only let her sister eat when she is ready to share.
Jinx: Is the troublemaker. She thrives on chaos. She systematically will get on the counter, table or on the fridge and bat things off onto the floor. The more noise the happier she is. She loves to cuddle, but occasionally she bares her claws and look out. She will do anything for a treat and teases her sister unmercifully.
Both will run to the window when someone knocks. I get all sorts of unsavory individuals knocking on my window looking for their old drug dealer. Many are unaware that the previous tenant, their beloved drug dealer was raided and sent to prison, for what? Dealing drugs and unregistered weapons. They both judge the visitors from their perch at the window. Karma wondering what they want and if she can possibly get them. Jinx, says look a playmate and paws at the window so they will take notice. Both equally expecting attention, neither getting what they wanted.
The visitors used to come nearly every day. Now it’s slowed down to once or twice a week but the cats lie in wait for their next victim. Each time the visitors ask the same thing, where’s Dave and I need a fix. My answer always the same, sorry pal he moved out and there are no drugs here.
The worst visitor I received was through my bedroom window. I woke to someone halfway through my bedroom window asking for a fix. Karma looked ready to prosecute. Jinx looked thrilled.
It’s almost become routine. I would have expected after living her for five months the word would have gotten out. They can find their dealer in prison a few towns over. But Karma and Jinx still wait for the knocks on the window. I almost expect it now, especially after dark. I thought of putting a sign in the window saying He Moved, No Drugs Here. But I am afraid it will draw attention to me and the apartment and it’s scary enough around here. At least my apartment is safe.
No one from my past life knows where to find me, so the visitors are never for me. But maybe one day someone will give me a gift instead of asking for their fix. Not the life I had planned when I moved in, but the cats are entertained. If the universe wanted me bored, it shouldn’t have given me Karma, Jinx, and a front‑row seat to chaos.
From the outskirts of hell, with Karma and Jinx at my side,
K.
I'm Still Here. Somehow... 