The tom kit saw the bird in front of him. He was so close he can taste it. Suddenly he let out an alarmed yowl when rough hands grab him. Before he can react, he felt darkness covering him. His fur bush out as he became fully awake. His claws pierce the soft walls as he felt motion but he is still blind. He can hear his twolegs and realize what a fool he been, falling asleep on the chair. He heard the cruelty in their voices as he felt like last night meal was going to escape his throat.
Where was the mother twoleg? He wonder as the motion finally stop. Feeling dizzy, he try to run out but couldn't find the exit. The cruel twolegs kits open the end and he rush out, straight into a wall. His paws didn't feel like they didn't belong to him as he lay there, listening to the cruel laughter as he black out. He needs to escape this place was his final thoughts. The next time he open his eyes, he can hear the mother twoleg yelling at the kits. He quickly ran to his only safe spot in the house, under the stairs where he can see the front door. Due to his fur, he can hide in the shadows as long as he close his eyes. Clawing the floor impatiently, he wait for his moment with his tail lashing. He knows the pattern well. The older kit will stomp out of the house and he only got a moment to get out.
He can feel his muscles tensing as he wait. The time seem to slow down as the door open. Without missing a beat, he ran as fast as he can towards the door. He felt the twoleg paw brush his back fur but it was too late. Using everything he had, he ran to a nearby bush, knowing that twolegs can't reach him here. His ears twitch as he heard footsteps coming close to the bush. He held his breath til they seem to give up and move away. He knew if the mother wasn't there, the kits would kick the bush to scare him out. Peace envelop him as for the first time in his life, he felt safe and free. Looking out, he saw the large pine forest in the distance, wondering what was in there. He wait to hear the door close before coming out of the bush. He walk to the house next door, wondering if barry was outside and he can grab some food.
"Thought I heard some noise out here." A mew interrupt him as he jump on the fence. Looking down, he saw barry laying down in a patch of sunlight, opening one eye staring at him.
"Sorry did I mess up your nap? Maybe I should keep my escape quiet." He mew back sarcastically. He jump down into his yard, sitting in front of him.
"Answer is no." Barry let out a yawn as he stretch and sat up. He begin to clean himself.
No? what does he mean by no. He didn't ask a question yet. His tail begin to lash before he got his emotions under control.
"Every time you escape, you come to me for food. Because of you, they give me less food! So no." Barry was cleaning his ear as he look at him.
"Sorry about that. But this time is different. I'm not going back. Getting out of here. Tired of the kits playing with me like I'm a toy. Maybe I can stay with you?" He said with a pleading look.
"We already tried that once. And your kits snuck in during a day to get you. My twoleg kits still have nightmares of that day. You made too much of a mess. Besides you always go back after disappearing for two or three days." Barry scoff as he turn to go inside.
"Fine. I will prove you wrong. Just you wait til I come back from the pine forest." His fur was bristling as his tail lash.
"The forest? Are you crazy? There are wild cats who eat other cats live in there." Barry stop and turn around, staring at him in shock.
"That is foolish. Cats don't eat other cats. But I'm sure it not that bad. Going to go and find out." He had a smug smile as he jump on the fence.
"Nice to know you black cat!" Barry yowl out. He twitch an ear before leaping back down to the other side. He can do this. Live on his own, even get his own food. After all he is six moons old. Looking at the pine forest, he start to get a sense of danger as he walk towards it.
The wind begin to blow towards him and he smelt many cat scents close to him. Putting his nose on the ground, he saw it was like a border. So he is safe if he don't cross the border? Looking back, he saw barry on the fence, watching him, his green eyes narrow. He knew what he was thinking. All that talk and he can't even cross the border. He quickly step over it, giving a small purr to himself when nothing happened. His stomach growl and he look at barry, waiting for him to go back into his yard before walking to his brother's house. Charlie will feed him. He also went back over the border, keeping an eye out for these wild cats. Good thing his brother lives around the corner from him, he thought as he jump into the yard. Besides it was still sunhigh so he might go when it is night and those wild cats be sleeping. Wild cats are still cats so they have to sleep.
"Charlie!" Are you home?" He yowl at the door. Sometimes his brother be gone, saying he exploring the twolegplace. His twolegs usually leave the cat door open so he probably won't mind if he go and eat some food. He look around, perking his ears to hear anything from the other side of the door. After a few minutes, he went through the cat door, heading straight to the food bowl. Before he reach it, a yowl sounded as a weight landed on his back. He quickly roll over to dislodge the weight, hissing loudly. He face his attacker, being surprise it was his brother.
"Black cat? you should know better than to come in without me knowing. I'm sorry." Charlie mew as he calm down. Charlie sat down, licking his chest in embarrassment.
"Charlie. What is wrong? You never just straight up attack before." His heart was beating fast as he sat down, smoothing down his fur. Looking at his brother, he saw that it look like he got in some fights. His fur was torn and he had old wounds on his back. No wonder he seem so jumpy. His movements was wary, like he expecting an attack to happen. But he is in his house. Houses are suppose to be safe.
He got up and rub his fur against his brother's side to relax him. He wrap his tail around his brother body until he felt his fur smoothing down. He knew that he can't force him to tell him what is wrong, so he led him to his cat bed. Maybe there is something to those wild cat rumors than he thought.
"Here charlie. Just go to sleep and I'll be right by your side." He look worriedly at him since he haven't spoke.
"Thanks black cat. Just been a crazy night. You can have some food if there is anything left. Just need to rest." Charlie murmur before closing his eyes.
He look down at him, wondering what exactly is going on. He went back to the food bowl, letting out a sigh at the one pellet that was left. Well it is better than nothing, he thought as he ate it. Heading back, he curl up besides charlie, knowing he needs to ask questions of these wild cats.
He slowly woke up, looking around before remembering he is at his brother's house. Charlie was still sleeping peacefully. He gave him a lick, whispering goodbye before leaving the house. He ran to the pine forest, crossing the border before he stop, looking back at the fence. He can hear the mother twoleg calling for him, shaking the food dish. Not this time. Not going back. He is leaving and maybe they will do better for the next cat. He quickly ran far before he can change his mind, passing by many trees until he was deep in the forest. Looking up, he smile as he saw the full moon. At least there is light enough to see, he thought to himself before starting to walk. His whiskers twitch anxiously as he heard an owl call and frogs croaking.
His ears perk as he heard soft pawsteps coming towards him from the dark path ahead. He raised his hackles, letting out a hiss as the wild cat appeared. It is an dark ginger tabby molly that had mouse in her mouth. She put it down as she glance at him with her dark green eyes. A real wild cat, he thought as his fur begin to bristle.