Brokenmouth paused at the edge of the forest, his tall frame trembling with uncertainty. He'd heard tales of the forest and the feral creatures that lived within and called themselves cats. The size of monsters, with thorn sharp teeth and a hunger for blood, these were supposedly his ancestors. At least, he'd been raised to believe this. Did he have a choice though? Even now, as he hesitated there between the dark trees and noisy grey behind him, he could hear his clan yowling his name. He knew that if he returned he would be killed for deserting them, he had to push on.
The litter-choked grass of the street gave way to the shaded pine needles and thick underbrush of the forest, and instantly his anxiety calmed. The sounds of his old home faded away, replaced by birdsong and the wind playing in the branches high above his head. It was like he was finally safe, finally home.
Brokenmouth walked for a while longer, stopping only when he reached a soft stream and splashed into the cold waters. He flopped onto his side, letting the soothing liquid run along his body and numb his sore paws. Lids drooping, the tom fell asleep there in the river. He only slept for what felt like mere moments before he was being nosed awake, a group of ethereal cats gathered around him with stars caught in their fur and galaxies in their eyes. Some part of Brokenmouth wondered if he should be worried that he wasn't afraid of them.
"Are you alright, Dovewhisper? We were worried about you..." One of the cats spoke, their voice layered thick with other voices as if several cats spoke from one. Brokenmouth blinked, confused. Who was Dovewhisper? Why did these cats pretend to know him? He stood, stepping out of the river and shaking the water from his pelt. It was clear he wasn't dreaming, as he shivered and winced as he stepped on a jagged stone with his raw paws. Though still, all around him were these starry creatures, cats and prey alike.
They led him back to their camp, but once he arrived there he found cats who were very much alive and just as irritated at his intrusion. Their leader, however, had been apparently expecting him and welcomed him readily. He, too, called Brokenmouth the name Dovewhisper, though the tom never once argued. He was glad to have a new name, just as he was glad his starry friends never seemed to leave. [ 419 words ]
The litter-choked grass of the street gave way to the shaded pine needles and thick underbrush of the forest, and instantly his anxiety calmed. The sounds of his old home faded away, replaced by birdsong and the wind playing in the branches high above his head. It was like he was finally safe, finally home.
Brokenmouth walked for a while longer, stopping only when he reached a soft stream and splashed into the cold waters. He flopped onto his side, letting the soothing liquid run along his body and numb his sore paws. Lids drooping, the tom fell asleep there in the river. He only slept for what felt like mere moments before he was being nosed awake, a group of ethereal cats gathered around him with stars caught in their fur and galaxies in their eyes. Some part of Brokenmouth wondered if he should be worried that he wasn't afraid of them.
"Are you alright, Dovewhisper? We were worried about you..." One of the cats spoke, their voice layered thick with other voices as if several cats spoke from one. Brokenmouth blinked, confused. Who was Dovewhisper? Why did these cats pretend to know him? He stood, stepping out of the river and shaking the water from his pelt. It was clear he wasn't dreaming, as he shivered and winced as he stepped on a jagged stone with his raw paws. Though still, all around him were these starry creatures, cats and prey alike.
They led him back to their camp, but once he arrived there he found cats who were very much alive and just as irritated at his intrusion. Their leader, however, had been apparently expecting him and welcomed him readily. He, too, called Brokenmouth the name Dovewhisper, though the tom never once argued. He was glad to have a new name, just as he was glad his starry friends never seemed to leave. [ 419 words ]