Fire Ban

Summary

A person's relaxing reading session is interrupted by the alarming discovery of their cat, Chloe, nonchalantly standing over a candle flame, leading to a frantic rescue and a bewildering pondering of the cat's motives.

Abstract

While enjoying a serene afternoon of reading accompanied by the comforting scent of a "Blueberry Pie" candle, the narrator is jarred from their tranquility by an unexpected burning smell. To their dismay, they find their elderly cat, Chloe, perched precariously over the open flame of the candle. In a panic, they save the cat from potential harm and avert a possible fire, only to be left with a lingering sense of confusion and relief that Chloe is unscathed except for some singed fur. The incident prompts a single, perplexed question: "Why?"

Opinions

The author conveys a mix of humor and genuine concern over the cat's safety and the potential fire hazard.
There is a sense of affection for the cats, as they are referred to with endearing terms like "chubby gray cat" and "furry psychopath."
The incident is portrayed as both an amusing anecdote and a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of pets.
The author seems to have a fondness for dramatic flair, as evidenced by the description of the cat's actions as an "intentional" and "eldritch" act.
The use of hyperbolic language, such as "hurricane of fear," "adrenaline-fueled flail," and "shellshocked brain," emphasizes the narrator's shock and urgency during the event.

Fire Ban

The perfect pastry haze of a “Blueberry Pie” scented candle hovers in the air. The day is bright outside, and the window blinds are lifted to allow you to bask in the sun as you read with a glass of sweet tea perched next to you.

Curled in the cozy comfort of your favorite blanket, a chubby gray cat stretched across your feet, you begin to realize a new smell has covered the day-dream inducing scent of your candle.

Ash: a 13 year old electric blanket enthusiast

In fact, you know that acrid aroma. It almost smells as if your candle has caught something on fire, despite all precautions you’ve taken to avoid that very scenario.

You frown. You attempt to deny reality. You set down your book and turn to look for the fire. But it isn’t a fire you find.

No, a simple fire would be too ordinary—too plausible.

Rather, with dawning horror, you realize that burning smell is coming from the waif-thin calico standing directly over the candle’s flame. She stands there like a statue, eyes distant, unbothered. The fifteen year old cat either hasn’t realized the situation she’s in… or (more likely) this is intentional.

Chloe: a 15 year old eldritch horror

Your horror gives way to a tangled hurricane of fear, concern, panic, and self-preservation. You have to save the furry psychopath before she’s seriously harmed or has a chance to set your apartment on fire.

In an adrenaline-fueled flail, you practically fall from bed to scramble for the cat and yank her off the flame. After frantically blowing out the candle, you examine the cat, your heart beating thunderously in your throat.

The scent of her singed fur is a black cloud oppressing your bedroom.

But, to your amazement and relief, other than the hair turned charcoal covering the cat’s chest, the cat is unharmed. As you pet her, telling yourself that it’s to calm and comfort her when you’re clearly the only one shaken by the incident, your shellshocked brain can only comprehend a single question:

WhY?

FINALIST IN MOMENT OF 2023—SWEET.PUB WRITING CONTEST

Fire Ban