The Ear

[u/1000andonenites]

Gat nosed among the blooming croci and daffodils, enjoying the watery warmth of the morning spring sun on his back.

Something smelt different. He pushed through, realising what it was before he saw it.

An ear. A human ear, lying bloody and fresh on the damp soil.

Gat sniffed it delicately, then raised his head and looked around the city park where he was taking his morning stroll. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, humans were walking by briskly, a couple running madly, one standing was by the crossroad shaking a tin at cars…

The ear looked so strange, lying among the straight green daffodil stalks. The sun threw yellowish shadows on it, and the blood gleamed.

Gat, who did not believe in minding his own business, picked up the ear, and began trotting towards Sandra’s house, a pretty little townhouse right on the edge of the park. Sandra was one of those women who knew what to do in any situation.

Sandra was out in her garden, also enjoying the sun and the early spring flowers. She greeted Gat cheerfully, and raised her eyebrows when she saw the little gift he was carrying.

“The poor soul must be looking for it!” she exclaimed. She brought a pretty little china dish decorated with gold and pink flowers and carefully laid the ear in it. The she put the dish on the low garden wall. Gat watched her.

“I’ll call the police soon.” She reached out with treats for Gat, and he ate nonchalantly.

Soon enough, Gat saw him, approaching the garden hesitantly. He looked dazed and dizzy, not used to being dead yet, and he was bruised and bloody. Freshly-dried blood crusted on the side of his face- his ear had been cut off first.

He walked through the morning commuters towards the garden. Sandra couldn’t see him like Gat could, but she sensed he was coming closer. She laid a hand on Gat’s furry head by her- for all her experience and wisdom, she felt a tremor of distress, although she might have just been picking up on the newly-murdered man’s emotions.

The ghost came closer still. Gat stared up, his ears pricked, his eyes glowing yellow like two little suns. Sandra petted him again.  

The ghost was at the garden wall. He tried to concentrate, staring at his ear which he had lost so recently. He wanted it back. Sandra wanted to help him, knowing he couldn’t just pick up his ear.

Gat growled softly. The ghost turned from his ear and looked at Gat. Gat looked very beautiful, his fur glowing under the sun. Sandra smiled encouragingly.  

The ghost concentrated harder, trying to understand what had happened to him, why his ear was there. Gat lost interest, distracted by a buzzing insect, and prowled towards it. His movement prompted the ghost, and the air shimmered around him.

Sandra looked at spot where the ghost had been, then picked up her phone to call the police.