500 Words 2024/25: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

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This story was chosen as a top 50 finalist for 500 Words 2024/25.

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

Thumbed Cat by Michael M.

Scientist Dave lived alone in Surrey with his cat whom he loved, they're best friends.

They only had each other and his Cat Max loved being at home as much as Dave.

Dave only left home to go to work at science future technology factory from 9 to 5 each day, rest of the time Dave and Max were together eating, playing and hugging each other.

One day Daves boss give him a task to go Austria for 4 weeks to help build a teleporter. He asked if cat could come too, his boss said "No!". His boss added; "If you don't go to Austria, you're fired!"

Dave didn't know anyone to catsit Max and Max wouldn't get in a cat carrier to go to cat hotel for 4 weeks Dave would be away, so Dave came up with an idea so Max could stay home alone for 4 weeks and take care of himself for going to toilet, washing and feeding himself.

Night before Dave flew to Austria he gave Max general anaesthetic and got in his home lab and made two metal thumbs to replace two of Max's Paw digits on his front legs.

When Max woke up from his medicine, he was a thumbed cat.

Dave says; "You can take care of yourself now Max, see you soon, don't get into any trouble".

Dave flies to Austria, leaving Max to it. Max the cat then tries out his thumbs.

First he uses them to open cans of food, he even uses a spoon to eat with.

Then Max lets himself in and out the house to poop on the lawn, he even decides to bag up poop and bin it.

Max then decides to ditch the plastic mouse on a string toy and decides to play playstation and use the remote control for TV.

Max decides he wants to wear clothes from watching TV people clothed. He spots people on TV pay with contactless by card. He finds Daves' credit card.

No clothes in his size at home, he gets Daves' car keys but in car feet can't touch pedals so he gets a bus and does 'tap and go', then he goes to baby shop and buys clothes.

He pays by contactless; he does same on the bus trip home.

At home he's fully clothed, looks around he doesn't like the walls and shakes his head at the furniture so he goes on computer pays by card for new wallpaper, new bed cover and new furniture from website.

Weeks later Dave's home, looks around and cat images are on the bed, the sofa, the walls and Max is clothed drinking a mug of tea.

Then the bank bill comes through the post. It's £5,000 in debt.

Dave turns to Max; "I'm changing you back".

Dave chases Max. Max makes it difficult. Dave; "I created a monster".

Max then writes on a piece of paper - I'm keeping the thumbs.

Dave falls to the ground crying in despair.

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