El Gordo A Cats Tale.

By Barrel Coops

In the bustling heart of a city that never sleeps, where humans dwell in their confined walls, oblivious to the mysteries beneath their feet, a tale unfolds. A story not of people, but of one remarkable cat, and a journey that defies all odds. El Gordo, robust, indomitable, and as his name would suggest, a bit on the hefty side, lived a life both ordinary and yet, entwined with a string of inexplicable events. His eyes, pools of inquisitive amber, have seen more of the world's wonders and threats than most cats would in nine lifetimes.

In the aftermath of the unfolding apocalypse, through the hidden nooks and secret pathways of the unsafe city, the whispering of the trees tells tales of courage, perseverance, and a love that knew no bounds. El Gordo, a rather plump feline with a coat as mottled ginger, encounters adventures that take him through the stirring alleys of the metropolis to the tranquil, enigmatic countryside, where his path crosses with beings of various threats, each contributing a chap,ter to his epic journey.

Through dense forests where danger lurks behind every tree, across vast fields under the luminous moon, he sought something indefinable, something that lingered in the air, a fragrance, a memory, a ghost from the past. Little did he know, his pursuit would lead him into worlds unknown, to faces friendly and foul, and challenge the very core of his instincts and desires.

Rachel, a girl with a heart as boundless as the skies, casts a shadow that reaches far beyond her physical existence, painting a beacon of hope in El Gordo's determined quest. Their bond, unspoken yet undeniably profound, becomes a key that unlocks doors to realms uncharted, where beliefs are defied and the supernatural becomes the norm.

What mysteries await in the veil of the unknown? What trials lie ahead in El Gordo's path? And where does the key to the secrets of his enigmatic journey lie?

Join El Gordo as he embarks on a voyage where every turn is a puzzle, every face a story, and every beat of his heart a step closer to the destiny that awaits. A destiny that is as unfathomable as the universe itself, underlining the unspoken truth that sometimes, the most ordinary beings, perhaps a ginger tabby cat, could be the centrepiece of stories most extraordinary.

The tale is set; the pages are waiting, and El Gordo's adventure is about to begin... Will you join him on this bewitching journey to uncover truths hidden in the delicate fabric of the universe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barrel Coops
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223167228

Barrel Coops

After the tragic loss of my girlfriend as a teenager, I sought an escape. My pub upbringing introduced me to a traveling gypsy family, and they allowed me to join their journey under one condition: I had to contribute. Soon, they discovered my talent for spontaneous storytelling, known as "pantsing." In villages and towns, I showcased this gift, crafting stories based on audience suggestions after Mahala's performances. My dyslexia prevented me from pursuing writing as a profession, given the cost of ghostwriters and publishing. Now, with five children and a 50th birthday surprise, I've told countless imaginative bedtime stories. Reflecting on my time with the gypsy family, I've realised the profound impact of storytelling on people, contemplating the possibility of chronicling that journey someday. Throughout my 30s and 40s, I occasionally returned to the stage for charity events, driven by my love for storytelling. My daughter encouraged me to write a novel, leading to my first series under the pen name Barrel Coops, named after her. It took just five months to write five books, with four more for editing, mainly due to my struggles with spelling and punctuation. After extensive feedback and courses, they are being rewritten for release in early 2024. Despite dyslexia being a constant challenge, I'm committed to writing. I hope my stories will captivate and inspire you, bringing enjoyment to your life.

Book preview

This is a spin-off from the Bella Series Box Set.

Prologue.

In the bustling heart of a city that never sleeps, where humans dwell in their confined walls, oblivious to the mysteries beneath their feet, a tale unfolds. A story not of people, but of one remarkable cat, and a journey that defies all odds. El Gordo, robust, indomitable, and as his name would suggest, a bit on the hefty side, lived a life both ordinary and yet, entwined with a string of inexplicable events. His eyes, pools of inquisitive amber, have seen more of the world’s wonders and threats than most cats would in nine lifetimes.

In the aftermath of the unfolding apocalypse, through the hidden nooks and secret pathways of the unsafe city, the whispering of the trees tells tales of courage, perseverance, and a love that knew no bounds. El Gordo, a rather plump feline with a coat as mottled ginger, encounters adventures that take him through the stirring alleys of the metropolis to the tranquil, enigmatic countryside, where his path crosses with beings of various threats, each contributing a chapter to his epic journey.

Through dense forests where danger lurks behind every tree, across vast fields under the luminous moon, he sought something indefinable, something that lingered in the air, a fragrance, a memory, a ghost from the past. Little did he know, his pursuit would lead him into worlds unknown, to faces friendly and foul, and challenge the very core of his instincts and desires.

Rachel, a girl with a heart as boundless as the skies, casts a shadow that reaches far beyond her physical existence, painting a beacon of hope in El Gordo’s determined quest. Their bond, unspoken yet undeniably profound, becomes a key that unlocks doors to realms uncharted, where beliefs are defied and the supernatural becomes the norm.

What mysteries await in the veil of the unknown? What trials lie ahead in El Gordo's path? And where does the key to the secrets of his enigmatic journey lie?

Join El Gordo as he embarks on a voyage where every turn is a puzzle, every face a story, and every beat of his heart a step closer to the destiny that awaits. A destiny that is as unfathomable as the universe itself, underlining the unspoken truth that sometimes, the most ordinary beings, perhaps a ginger tabby cat, could be the centrepiece of stories most extraordinary.

The tale is set; the pages are waiting, and El Gordo’s adventure is about to begin... Will you join him on this bewitching journey to uncover truths hidden in the delicate fabric of the universe?

Chapter One.

Living in a Box.

El Gordo, a robust ginger tabby, sprawled on his less-than-luxurious bed in the cat home. Oh, be assured, it was no royal chamber, but surely a vast upgrade from the gritty streets. This new abode boasted the distinct luxury of being dry, no more yucky damp mattress or the delightful, not, drip drip drip, of rain leaking through a myriad of holes. Truly, he was living the dream, wasn’t he? Every day brought a feast fit for, well, a cat, food in a bowl and clean water that didn’t taste of the last rainstorm, out of a muddy puddle. Splendid! But oh, the noise, those clanging cage doors and the ceaseless babble of humans were enough to fray even the most composed feline nerves. A cat's got to nap, after all! How was any respectable tabby expected to catch his beauty sleep with this incessant racket?

Humans, they were the problem. They liked to wake him up or stare at him through the bars, often saying not-so-nice things. Now, he knew to keep away from the edge of the cage when they were near. He did love sunbathing, but after a few humans poked him once too many times, he learned his lesson. They’d call him old... was he really old? All he ever heard was, We are looking for a kitten. Hey, I was a kitten once, not that long ago, he thought, and besides, what’s so special about a kitten?

His cage wasn’t big. He could walk around it in thirty steps. There was a raised shelf on one side, just big enough to snooze in the sun, and it was handy to dodge humans since it led to his sleeping box. The concrete floor was chilly on his paws, and he wasn’t a fan, especially when it was wet. For some reason, humans scrubbed it with a brush every day, but since he had to go down every morning for his food and drink and to use his tray, he didn’t have a choice. He’d have to deal with it, as nothing was going to change anytime soon. Now, he’d mastered the art of doing everything in one fell swoop, only going down once a day. No need to waste precious sleeping time or get too tired since exercise just ate into the valuable twenty-three hours of sleep, he needed every day.

Sometimes there'd be another kitty in the next cage, but they obviously didn’t like it because they were never there long. Humans would take them away. It seemed crazy - the cages they were placed in were even smaller than his bed! Where would they put their litter tray?

El Gordo was just gearing up for the most delightful moment of the day - the first bite of his meal. Oh, how he hoped it was fish today. But just as he was about to descend from his lofty perch, the cage door creaked open. It was her, the pointer woman. She often pointed at him, usually accompanied by other humans who’d shake their heads, and she'd move on to the next cage.

Only once before had she invaded his space, and that was when a tiny human yanked at his fur. After he nipped at the little-one, he was shoved aside. But since then, he considered himself lucky. They only pointed after that incident, and aside from the man human who fed him and cleaned his tray, he didn’t have to interact with them much.

But today, a different man human intruded into his private quarters, catching him completely off guard and having the nerve to lift him up. Couldn’t he see that El Gordo was about to dine? These humans have no manners, he mused. The audacity! Resisting the urge to unleash his claws on the impertinent human, he thought better of it. A fall from this height might be uncomfortable, even though he knew he could handle it. Besides, he had experienced being lifted before. The woman who used to feed him often did it, strangely enough, caressing him, which, for an unknown reason, he somewhat enjoyed. Thankfully, she'd quickly grow bored and set him down. She vanished one day, sending this man human in her stead; a man who barely ever entered