Your Cat

by Beth Cato

• Release: 21 September 2021
• Format: Flash Fiction
• Genre: Science Fiction
• Audience: Adults
• Content: Definite Time Travel
• Original Language: English

You have traveled thirty years back in time to save your cat.

VARIANTS

1 English variant

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

• Unspecified Year

Timeline Models

• Multiple Naive Timelines: Given that the adult-you in the story is making the past materialize that he or she knows did materialize, I’d say that story is nicely set up to have a single static timeline. But neither adult-you nor the writer seems to realize that is even a possibility given the line: In some alternate universe, Malibu's prognosis must remain grim beyond this date.

Time Travel Methods

• Time Booths, Wardrobes, et al.: Although not described as a booth, it is claustorphobically confined for the traveler and the cat together.

Themes

• Animals or Small Children Sense Time Travelers: Malibu recognizes adult-you.
• Save Your Family!: Yes, we think your childhood cat is in your nuclear family.
• Self-Visitation: At the end, you hand Malibu to your younger self.

Groupings

• Daily Science Fiction (periodical): 29 October 2021

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

1. From a lab, in an unspecified year ⋙ to near your childhood home, 30 years in the past. Round trip.