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Vision 2

18 years ago in Harrow, London, in a small brick house, Amanda Lawrence was laying down in her bed staring out of her window as the sun slowly rose up from the tall hills in the scenery. The white cat was sitting upright against a few pillows behind her with both hands on her outstretched stomach. She gently rubbed the white fur of her belly hoping to make an intimate connection with her young kitten cradled within her. Her stomach moved and deformed a little, causing Amanda to smile, even with an exhausted look in her eyes. Soon, the door opened and a gray cat slowly walked inside holding a tray of scrambled eggs, ham, pancakes and syrup with a glass of grape juice.

"Hello dear." Amanda said slowly wagging her tail.

"Hello honey." He said. "How are you feeling?"

"Ugh, fat Howard. I feel fat." Howard could only laugh. "And I see you're here to fatten me up even more?"

"Oh, calm down now. You love my pancakes, right?"

Amanda chuckled slightly and said.

"Well, I married you for a reason."

Howard then sat next to her and placed the tray on the bed. Amanda then grabbed the plate of food and placed it on her extended stomach.

"Wow, I can't believe how big he's gotten." Said Howard.

"Thanks Howard, that makes me feel better." Amanda said while taking a bite out of the eggs.

Howard then kissed her cheek and said.

"Don't worry honey. The doctor says that you're almost due. We'll soon see our little kitten running around this small house."

Amanda smiled back and kissed Howard back, then continued with her breakfast. Howard then reached down for his pocket and grabbed a pill bottle. Amanda then sighed angrily.

"Howard, really?" She said. "I'm getting tired of those damn pills."

"Now you know what the doctor said." Said Howard. "This pregnancy is taking a lot of your energy and these pills are supposed to help you."

Amanda stopped eating and pouted a little, but she did realize that she has been in bed for two full weeks, not having the energy to get out of bed by herself. She even struggled to go to the bathroom by herself. Once she thought it over, she then took two pills and swallowed them both along with her grape juice.

"There you go." Said Howard. Amanda continued to look outside the window. A smile reappeared on her face.

"Howard?" She said.

"Yes?" Howard answered.

"I had that dream again."

"What dream?"

Amanda then rubbed her stomach and said.

"I saw him...in my dreams....and we talked."

Howard let out a long sigh.

"Okay Amanda." He said. "I know you don't believe you're actually taking to him. I mean I know he's inside you, but don't you think that's a little crazy?"

"You think I'm crazy." Amanda said with a little disgust.

"No, it's not that."

Amanda took in a deep breath and said.

"I wish you could see him Howard. He's so beautiful.....and it was like we could......talk to each other. Like we were connected."

The two were quiet for a few moments, not looking at each other. Once Amanda was done eating, Howard finally spoke.

"We have to start thinking of a name soon." He said.

"Michael." Said Amanda.

"What?"

"He likes the name Michael."

"How do you know that?"

Amanda then glanced over at her pregnant belly and said.

"He told me."

At the moment, her stomach moved again and all Amanda could do was rub her belly some more and smile. Howard then cleaned up the bed and took the plate and tray away.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone then." He said. Then he went over to kiss his wife's stomach and walked out of the room. Amanda then took a very long yawn and tried to stretch her arms and legs. She then closed her eyes and tried to gather herself again. She was tired. She knew something was a little off about her pregnancy, but she didn't mind.

"If you can understand me, I want you to know that I will do everything I can to make sure you have the best life possible." She said while rubbing her stomach softly. "I promise."

She then felt a soft kick where her hand was. Amanda smiled, then slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

After a full day in bed once again, Amanda was asleep in her bed as nightfall began. Howard was peacefully reading a book on the other side of the bed. The house was quiet and Howard enjoyed the soothing sound of Amanda sleeping. But suddenly, Amanda screamed.

"Ah!"

Howard was so surprised that he dropped his book on the floor.

"Baby?" Howard said. "What's wrong?"

"Oh!" Amanda yelled. "My water brook! The baby, he's coming!"

Howard wasted no time to get out of the bed and help Amanda to her feet. She was struggling to stand for a while, but Howard quickly helped her on to a wheel chair.

"Alright Amanda, just breathe, okay?" Howard said. "Breathe."

Amanda started to breathe calmly as she was wheeled out to the car.

In a matter of 20 minutes, Howard quickly brought Amanda to the hospital. A few nurses quickly helped Amanda to a delivery room and prepped her. Howard was told to wait outside the room until she was ready. Howard nervously paced back and forth, waiting for anyone to let her back in. Suddenly, a paw reached out and pulled him inside the room. It was a nurse and the first words she said was:

"The baby is crowning! She wants you now!"

Howard then quickly ran over to Amanda. She was screaming in pain. Howard held her hand tight and Amanda held it tighter.

"Howard!?" Said Amanda.

"I'm here Amanda. I'm here. It's okay."

Amanda screamed again.

"Okay Amanda." Said the doctor. "I need you to push, okay? Push and breathe."

Amanda screamed again. Then she started to breathe in a quick pace. In, in, out, in, in, out. Then she screamed even louder. Howard held her hand and breathed with her.

"Okay Amanda, you're doing great. Just one more big push, okay?" Said the Doctor.

"You can do it Amanda." Said Howard. "One more push."

Amanda took a deep breath and then screamed even longer, holding Howard's hand tight. She used as much energy as possible until, finally, the sound of a young kitten crying could be heard. Amanda finally laid back on the hospital bed and looked up at the ceiling in exhaustion. The doctor then stood up with the small kitten in his arms.

"It's a boy." He said.

Howard smiled with tears in his eyes.

"We did it Amanda.....It's a boy." He said.

Amanda didn't answer.

"Amanda?"

Amanda was still staring up at the ceiling. Howard then noticed that her grip on his hand was week.

"Amanda? Amanda?!" Howard said, now screaming.

"Amanda?" Said the doctor. He then gave the baby to a nurse and the doctors surrounded Amanda.

"Amanda? Amanda can you hear me?" Said the doctor.

Howard was slowly moved away by a nurse and told to leave the room. Howard tried to see what was wrong, but all he could see was Amanda's blank stare at the ceiling.

An hour went by. Howard was left outside the door, sitting down and trying to wipe tears from his face. Soon, the door opened and the doctor walked out towards Howard. Howard quickly stood up and said.

"Is she.....is she....at least is she?"

"She's very week.....and her heart rate was slowing down." Said the doctor. "We didn't know why....but she's still breathing."

The uncertainty in the doctor's voice made Howard uneasy, but he was still able to ask one question.

"Can I....show her the baby?"

"Of course." Said the doctor.

Moments later, Howard walked through the door with their baby in his hands. He looked at Amanda. Her eyes were closed, but the steady beeping of the heart monitor gave Howard confidence. He slowly walked over to her. The little kitten moaned softly and made a few sounds, but Howard moved closer. Once he was close enough, he spoke.

"Amanda?" He said.

No answer. He tried again.

"Amanda? I have someone who wants to see you."

Still no answer.

"I....I have Michael. He's here."

In an instant, Amanda's eyes opened.

"Michael?" She said.

Howard was shocked, but all that mattered to him was seeing Amanda happy.

"Yes, here he is. Our baby." he said.

"Let me see him.....please." Said Amanda.

Howard then slowly handed the kitten wrapped in a blanket to Amanda. She held him in her arms and began to cry. The kitten then looked into her eyes and began to smile. Amanda did the same and the too cats took a moment to just stare at each other with amazement and with love. The kitten then reached out his small paw and Amanda let him grab her finger. He laughed. Howard was amazed by the whole scene. The two were so lively when they were together. Their bond was so strong that it even made a newborn kitten smile and laugh.

"Hello Michael." Amanda said. "It's...amazing to finally meet you, after all the dreams."

Howard now felt relieved. Then Amanda spoke again.

"I want you to know that......whenever you're scared, whenever you're sad, whenever you're lost.....just close your eyes and I will be there. I promise. I promise to always be there whenever you need me. To protect you.....and to love you."

She then kissed the kitten's head and said.

"I love you Michael....I love you......I....love you."

Howard then noticed Amanda's slow speech. He then heard the heart monitor slow down.

"Amanda?!" He screamed.

The heart monitor was even slower.

".....I love you." She whispered.

Howard then grabbed the kitten before Amanda could drop him. The kitten began to cry. Amanda closed her eyes once more, now with a smile on her face.

"Amanda!" Said Howard as his voice quivered. "Please, no....please!"

The heart monitor slowed down even more. Doctors and nurses rushed inside to tend to Amanda. Howard slowly backed away and stared at what would soon be the last image he would see of her. The last time he would see her smile. The monitor flat lined. Howard left the room.

"Daddy, are we getting close?"

Howard sighed, but kept a positive tone in his voice.

"No Michael." He said. "I told you that this would be a long drive."

The five-year-old kitten was fidgeting in his seat.

"But daddy, we've been driving for days."

"It's only been an hour."

The little kitten then looked puzzled.

"How many hours are in a day?" Michael asked.

"24."

"Is it going to take 24 hours?"

"No, Michael...why don't you go back to your coloring book."

Michael moaned impatiently and said

"Okay."

The young kitten grabbed his coloring book and his crayons and continued to color in a blank picture of a fire truck. Michael usually loves coloring. It would keep him occupied for hours, but he was growing more impatient and curious the longer the drive was.

"Daddy?" He asked.

"Yes Michael?" Answered Howard.

"Am I sick?"

"Do you feel sick?"

"No."

"Then why do you ask, son?"

"Well, we keep going to doctors all the time. Does that mean I'm sick?"

Howard was a little hesitant to answer. His eyes were still fixed on the road as he struggled to answer the question.

"No Michael." He said. "I...just want to make sure you are okay."

"Okay daddy." Said Michael.

The drive took another half hour, but the two finally arrived at the hospital. The building stood thirty floors tall and was in the middle of Southwark. Howard helped Michael out of the car and grabbed his hand.

"Bring your book, okay?" Said Howard.

"Okay." Said Michael.

The two hurried inside the building and Howard looked for the receptionist. The lobby was a bit crowded, but Howard was able to reach the front desk.

"Hello?" Said Howard

The female receptionist perked her ears and answered:

"Hello sir. How may I help you?"

"Um," Howard tried to lower his voice to not let Michael hear him. "Um, where is the cancer center with Dr. Sharma?"

"Oh, it's right on the 21st floor. Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, for 3 o'clock."

The receptionist typed on her computer for a while then finally said:

"Okay, he's ready for you now."

"Thank you." Said Howard. "Come on Michael."

Howard led Michael to the elevator and they continued to walk through the building. Michael was quickly walking behind Howard and trying to keep up with his fast walking pace. Finally, the two reached the office. There was a glass door with the words "Southwark Cancer Center. Dr. Sharma." Howard opened the door and was met by another receptionist behind a desk. Howard noticed that the room was empty, so he didn't worry about introducing himself

"Hi, I'm here to see Dr. Sharma." He said.

"Okay." Said the receptionist. "I'll tell him you're here."

"No need, Rebecca." Said a voice.

Howard looked to his left to see Dr. Sharma himself. The brown owl displayed a look of professionalism with his grey suit and tie.

"Good to finally meet you Mr. Lawrence....and this must be little Michael." Said the old owl.

Michael hid behind his father's leg. Howard just laughed.

"He's just being shy." He said. "Now Michael, I have to go talk to Dr. Sharma for a little bit okay? Can you stay here?"

Michael was quiet.

"Of course he can wait here. Rebecca can watch over him." Said Sharma. "Go on and play little one. This won't take long."

Michael then looked at his father's face. Once he saw his father's smile, he felt more relaxed and walked over to the table to color. Howard then walked inside Dr. Sharma's office.

"Please take a seat Mr. Lawrence."

Howard did as instructed as the owl fixed his tie and slightly ruffled his feathers.

"Now, about your son." He said.

"You did get the MRI? Right?" Howard said

The owl sat down at his desk and sighed.

"Yes...yes I did." He said. "Mr. Lawrence, I'm going to be honest with you...I've never really seen something like this before."

Sharma shuffled through his papers while Howard held his paws together tight.

"Ah, here." Said Sharma holding the picture of the MRI. "If you look here, see, this is the tumor we found, but it was acting in a very unnatural way."

"I'm sorry, you said the brain tumor was...acting?" Said Howard.

"Yes. Here, look at these."

Sharma then took out five more pictures and layered them all out on the desk.

"See anything different?"

Howard looked over all of the photos. He was still lost on the point of showing him the same five photos of Michael's brain.

"I'm not understanding what I should be looking at." He said.

"Here, I'll explain." Said Sharma. "We found the tumor here, on the occitpal lobe. Normally, our other patients would experience homonymous hemianopia or other major problems with their vision...but you told Michael's doctor that Michael has shown no symptoms of the sort."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Well, with a tumor of this magnitude...that is surprising, but I was most intrigued by these MRI scans....look closely."

Howard studied the pictures even more, but then he noticed something different about them.

"Wait..." He said. "Is the tumor...."

"Moving." Interrupted Sharma. "Deforming and molding in every picture."

"...do you know....how long it was doing this?"

"Judging by the times these picture were taken, we estimated about a two centimeters per second."

Howard was speechless. He felt so scared and so heartbroken about the situation. Dr. Sharma took off his glasses once he noticed Howard's distress.

"It's a theory, but I believe that due to the tumor's...activity, it is somehow preventing Michael from experiencing any symptoms....but it's just a theory."

Howard was still silent and staring at the floor, trying to hold back tears. Sharma continued.

"Now Mr. Lawrence, what I'm about to ask you is the same question I've asked many families before you. It is a simple yes or no question."

Howard looked up at Sharma's eyes.

"We can start giving Michael our usual treatment plan and I can go in and study this tumor better to find the proper treatment for him."

"And.....What is the other option?"

Sharma sighed and said.

"Well....we wait. We wait and see if anything strange or abnormal happens to Michael and we can start from there."

Howard looked back down at the floor again. Then, out of the short silence, the two could hear Michael's laughter outside the door. The short laugh was enough to make Howard smile for just a second.

"Now Howard." Said Sharma. "I know you don't want to see your son on a medical bed...but I'm afraid that if something does happen to Michael in the future....there will be nothing we can do."

Howard stared at Sharma again, and then slowly glanced at the door behind him, knowing that his son was out there playing in is own world, not knowing about the strange tumor in his brain. Howard then looked back at Sharma and said.

"Then we wait."

Sharma sighed in disappointment.

"Very well." He said. Then he pulled out his card. "Here is how you can contact me. I want you to call me if anything out of the ordinary happens."

"Will do." Said Howard.

Then the grey cat stood up from his chair and began to walk out of the door.

"Be careful Mr. Lawrence." Said Sharma.

Howard nodded his head in agreement and walked out of the office. The first thing he saw was Michael still busy working on his coloring book. Soon, Michael noticed his father and ran towards him.

"Daddy, daddy look!" He said.

Then, the little kitten held up his coloring book to show Howard the brightly colored fire truck he worked so hard on.

"I finished it, Daddy." He said.

Howard looked at the picture for a moment and smiled. He then noticed the three stick figures with tails.

"Who are these cats, Michael?" asked Howard.

"That's you driving the truck and me and mommy are on the top riding the on the truck." Said Michael.

Howard fell silent, but kept the smile on his face. Michael then put down the picture and saw his dad's tears.

"Daddy? Are you okay?" He said. "Am I in trouble?"

Howard quickly rubbed his eyes and said.

"No, Michael." Said Howard. "Lets go home son."

The drive home was filled with questions from Michael. At first they were normal questions that first appeared in his vast imagination, but then one question caught Howard's attention.

"Daddy, was mommy nice?"

Howard thought of a good answer for Michael's curiosity. The young kitten was already aware of his mother's death, but he still wondered so much about her. Howard finally spoke.

"She was a very lovely feline...and she loved you more than anything."

Michael smiled.

"I love her too, Daddy." He said.

A few days went by and Michael still appeared healthy and happy. Still, Howard would stare at Dr. Sharma's card, wondering if he made the right choice. Every time when he looked at his son, he would constantly remember the MRI scans and the mysterious thing in his head, but Michael still seemed okay...until one night. One night, Howard was preparing Michael for a bath. He finished filling the tub and got the soap ready.

"Michael!" He called out. "Michael, time for a bath!"

He heard no answer. Howard then stood up and dried his arms.

"Where is that kitten?" He said to himself.

He then walked through the hall calling for him.

"Michael?"

He soon reached Michael's room and slowly opened the door. The room was dark. Only the moonlight from the window provided any light. Howard slowly walked into the room then looked for Michael. Finally, he found Michael looking out of the window, his back facing Howard.

"Michael?" Asked Howard. "Why is it so dark in here?"

"Well, at first, I couldn't really see her." Said Michael.

Howard was confused.

"What?" He said.

Michael didn't answer.

"Come on Michael, it's time to take a bath."

"But Daddy...I can see her."

"Who...who can you see?"

"Mommy...I can see mommy."

Michael then turned around to face his father, but his eyes were...different. It took Howard a few moments to realize that Michael's eyes were solid black with no white to be seen. Howard jumped up in fear, but Michael didn't seem to notice anything. The small kitten just continued to smile with the glare of his soulless eyes.

"You were right Daddy." Michael said. "She is beautiful."

Howard took no time to run out of the room as fast as he could. Michael seemed confused and ran after him.

"Daddy?" Michael said.

Howard ran to the bathroom and quickly closed the door. He leaned on the sink breathing heavily. He was at a lost of words and he was scared...of his own son.

"My god." He said softly under his breath. "I...I should've took him to the doctor....his eyes....oh god."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Howard knew it was Michael. He tried his best to calm down.

"Daddy? Daddy, what's wrong?" Said Michael

Howard took a deep breath and unlocked the door.

"Mi...Michael? How are you feeling?" Howard asked.

"I'm fine Daddy. Mommy says that it's okay."

Howard didn't know what to say. He soon came to the conclusion that Michael was somehow hallucinating. At least that's all he hoped was happening. Howard slowly opened the door and looked for Michael. He was standing there waiting, his eyes still blacked out.

"Come inside Michael...and...close your eyes okay?" Said Howard.

Michael did as he was told and closed his eyes. Howard led him into the bathroom and sat him down on the toilet.

"Okay, okay, okay....just...um...just stay here okay Michael?"

"Okay Daddy." Michael answered with a smile.

Howard then quickly ran out of the room and rushed downstairs. He went through the living room looking through the draws and shelves frantically. After searching for a few minutes, he finally found it. Dr. Sharma's card. He quickly moved to the kitchen and looked for the phone. Once he found it, he dialed the number and waited. Finally, he heard an answer.

"Hello, you reached Dr. Sharma's office at the Southwark Cancer Center, may I ask who's..."

"I need to talk to Sharma, it's an emergency!" Screamed Howard in panic.

"Sir please calm down. Just tell us what's wrong and we can schedule an appointment."

"I don't need an appointment damn it. My son, Michael, he's...

Suddenly a voice caught Howard's attention. It was Michael.

"Daddy?" He said.

Howard jumped again and ended up dropping the phone to the floor. Michael stood a few feet away from Howard, near the entrance to the kitchen.

"Michael." Said Howard. "What are you doing down here?"

"Mommy told me to come down here." Said Michael. "She...wants me to talk to you."

"Michael, I need you to go upstairs. okay? You're not well."

"I'm fine Daddy. I feel fine."

"Michael!...Please!"

"Daddy?" Michael said as he walked closer to him.

Howard backed away quickly.

"I know you're scared." Said Michael. "But...Mommy says that it's okay."

"Michael! Stay back!"

Michael still walked forward. Howard could see nothing in his eyes. Just a black shade that clouded any existence of the small kitten's innocence.

"Michael! Get back, now!" Howard said.

Michael didn't listen as he walked closer. Howard was still backing away from him. Then, finally, Howard backed up to a draw that he wished he would never have to open. Once he realized it, he quickly opened it and threw some things out of the way until he finally pulled out a small handgun and pointed it at Michael out of fear. Michael stopped walking and froze at the sight of the gun.

"D....Daddy?" He said.

Howard stood his ground and said.

"Stay.....stay back Michael."

Michael was trembling. He couldn't believe what was going on. He couldn't understand what was wrong.

"Are...are you going to.....shot me?"

Howard couldn't say anything. He was as scared as Michael was and it was only fear that was keeping the gun pointed at him.

"Michael, just.....please stay back." Said Howard.

"....Are you scared of me?" Asked Michael

Howard didn't answer.

"Daddy?.....Are you scared of me?.....Mommy wants to know."

Howard stayed silent. His hand trembling. Then, Michael moved in closer. Howard panicked again.

"Michael!" He said.

"It's okay Daddy." Said Michael. "I promise."

Michael moved closer. Howard continued to yell and scream, but Michael kept walking. Howard shook even more and then, without realizing, he pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang and then silence. Howard had his eyes closed the whole time, but when he opened them, he was even more afraid to see that Michael was still alive. The bullet he fired was just floating in mid air between the two cats. There was silence. No one said a word. Then, tears began to roll down Michael's face. He finally spoke.

"You....you were....going to k....kill me?"

Howard stood there frozen. He was shocked at the whole event and couldn't save himself with any words. Once he finally decided to speak, Michael's crying grew louder. Howard was then going to walk towards Michael, but suddenly, the bullet that was floating in a stand still instantly vanished. Something was happening. Then, Michael began to scream loudly. Howard was startled. He tried to go calm him down, but soon, his vision began to blur. He was slowly seeing less and less around him. What was first fear and confusion quickly became a sharp pain in his head. Howard fell to the ground in agony, screaming for mercy. Michael kept crying. Soon Howard was completely blind and his head began to hurt even worse. He laid on the floor, screaming and twitching during the whole terrible process. It just seemed to continue to get worse and worse the more Michael cried. The pain continued to worsen and worsen, until finally, Howard was silent. The twitching stopped. He laid there on the floor, gun in hand, eyes closed. Howard was dead. All Michael did now was fall to the floor and cry.