This piece was inspired by a writing prompt that I found while browsing websites for something to inspire me as I have recently been running low on unique ideas. The prompt was really unique sounding, and I immediately had an idea for a short story, thus, this was born.

Of Cats And Competitions

Cassandra Titus was the most sought after woman in a small town called Aria. Her eyes were the brightest blue and they shone like diamonds. Her hair was golden and fell to her waist in perfect curls. One day she sent out an announcement saying that she would marry whoever could open her front door with the key that she had put on her cat's jeweled collar.

After the announcement, many men tried to catch or trap the small cat, but the cat was always too quick or too smart for them. It always seemed to know exactly how to get around the traps or where they were hiding to jump out and catch it. The small cat could easily escape most of them without problems and it would be gone in a flash of orange and white before they could get a better grip on it. Most were beginning to give up on the cat, seeing it as an impossible task. One man, Bradley Spartos, thought he had it figured out.

Bradley knew better than to chase the cat. It was pointless. The orange beast was much to fast for him to be able to catch and it was also much too clever to fall for any trap that he could think up. There had to be some kind of trick to it. That was when he realized it. The cat would freely let someone take the key. All he had to do was befriend it. He grinned softly to himself as he went out to buy some treats and toys for the ginger cat.

The next time he saw the cat he rolled a ball of yarn to it and set down a few treats before walking away. Bradley repeated his actions over and over again every time he saw the cat and eventually, it started to come to him before he even showed the toy or treats. After that, it didn't take long before the cat would let him pet it. He rubbed the cat's head and walked off.

Soon, the cat would be content to lay in Bradley's arms and he would carry it around with him. He gently took the key off the cat's collar. The cat let him before jumping out of his arms and rushing off. He watched quietly before he headed off to Cassandra's house. He took a deep breath before he put the key into the lock and turned it. He gently pushed open the door and looked in.

Bradley had expected to see Cassandra waiting there, but she was nowhere to be found. He called out for her, but he got no response. He frowned softly and turned to leave. He stopped when he noticed the cat was now sitting on the doormat. He started to lean over to pet it but stopped when it started to give off a faint glow. The glow kept getting brighter and brighter until he was forced to look away.

The light soon faded and Bradley turned back. He gasped in shock when he saw Cassandra standing there. A soft smile crossed her face as she looked at him and spoke the two words he never thought he would hear since she had made the first announcement,

"You win."