The Secret Country

Ben tried to step forward a pace, but something - someone ? - was holding him back... It was a cat. A small black-and-brown cat with shiny gold eyes and a remarkably determined arm. It appeared to have reached out of its cage and snagged its sharp little claws in his jacket. He smiled. How sweet ! He made an attempt to pry it loose but it clamped its fist together even harder. The fabric of Ben's jacket became rucked and furrowed. Ben's smile became a frown. "Let go !" he said under his breath, picking at its powerful claws. The cat looked at him unblinking. Then it said very distinctly, in a voice as harsh and gravelly as any American private investigator with a bad smoking habit, " There's no way you're leaving this shop without me, Sonny Jim ". A trip to the local pet shop is just the start of an amazing adventure for Ben Arnold, as a talking cat shows him the way into a magical secret country...