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Word Count: 750

Being cooped up all day was seriously annoying so when he could Mel would slip out anyway possible and make his way about the city. That is exactly what happened this particular day, that's how he ended up weaving his way around an open air holiday market in one of the many parks in the city. He was hiding under tables and booths, keeping out of people’s feet as best he could, and thoroughly enjoying the food that distracted shoppers dropped. Everything from popcorn and roasted nuts to cotton candy and even a funnel cake that some kid dropped. He would have much prefered some of the fish tacos one of the food trucks were serving but he was hungry and choosers couldn’t be picky… or something like that. He was also getting a good view of the various wares the vendors were offering, it almost made him wish he was human so he could buy some of it. Pretty hair stuff that he knew Siti would like, clothes galore, Holiday Ornaments, Toys, Art, there was even a guy selling movies and DVD’s. Mel was particularly interested in that booth, he saw several complete series sets that the guardian cat was practically salivating over. Columbo, Poirot, Criminal Minds, and even Perception. He had them all saved to the DVR but to own them… to actually be able to look at them in their pretty cases and say that they were his. Oh how he wanted them.

He was tempted to just saunter up to the fellow and convince him to give them to him for free but Mel knew better. He knew he couldn’t blow his cover as ‘average cat’. It would put his girl at risk, as well as any other powered fighter in the city and that was a BIG no, no. One even he couldn’t forget or ignore so with a sigh, a rather loud one since it drew the attention of a toddler who giggled and made grabby hands towards Mel, the cat made a quick retreat. Moving on further into the market where he promptly became fascinated by a mini drone a toy guy was demoing, at least until a shout drew his attention.

“STOP! THIEF! He stole my purse!”

The scream was followed by a guy running past with a woman’s handbag clutched to his chest like a football. We can’t have any of that! Without really thinking about it Mel gave chase, ignoring the shouts of surprise and shock when he was spotted weaving in and out of the milling crowd, slowly gaining on the purse snatcher. Taking a shortcut between two booths the large cat finally got in front of the thief where he promptly set about tripping the fellow. The guy landed on his face hard, a loud groan proving that he wasn’t dead, and when he tried to weakly get up Mel promptly sat on his back, gently using his claws to encourage the poor man to remain still until the proper authorities arrived. Which they did rapidly, they must have been close by. Letting out a proud Mreow Mel waited patiently for the praise he totally expected was forth coming as he watched the police approach cautiously.

“Jesus Mac… What is that thing?” “I think it's a cat.” “Ain't never seen a cat that big.” “It's a cat I tell you. Doesn’t matter animal control is on its way.”

The guardian studied the two blue clad policemen, unhappy with what he was hearing. Apparently they did not appreciate Mel doing their job for them. They even called Animal Control. Mel didn’t like Animal Control. They were just so uncivilized. Like he really needed to be put in a cage like some common cat, Mel completely forgot that as far as the normal population he was some common cat… well as much as a cat the size of medium size dog can be common. With a sound that was as full of derision as a cat could make Mel jumped from the guy’s back and quickly made himself scarce, his sharp ears catching the curses of the cops and the static of the radio as the called in the ‘big ******** cat is on the loose’. He needed to get back home, or at least really far, far away for a while. He really didn’t want to end up at the pound by accident. Siti would never let him live it down.