Written for the challenge at The Domain.
Sky
Light drifted downward through the trees, illuminating the woodland with its soothing glow. Birds sung as they do every morning, welcoming the sun and hoping for a day of successful hunting. A slight breeze whispered quietly, rustling leaves and small branches as it passed.
All was well. Or, it should have been.
Beneath the birds and the trees, a cat lay motionless on the forest floor. Her pelt was caked with mud, and one of her ears had been reduced to a bleeding, ragged stump. Her side had a large gash on it that consisted of four slightly curved lines, and blood dripping from various wounds had tinted patches of her fur to a deep mahogany color.
Slowly, a moan escaped from her open mouth. She cautiously lifted one eyelid, and then closed it again. A chill crept up her spine, and she shivered softly, even the slight motion sending dust spiraling into the air.
She took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. Dust filled her lungs and she began to cough violently, each breath sending a pang through her chest. Eventually, her coughs subsided and she panted heavily. Still lying on the forest floor, she swiveled her head to scan the surroundings, but saw nothing other than trees and wilted grass.
With a deep sigh, she stretched out her limbs and staggered to her feet. Instantly, a jolt of pain shot through her leg. She let out a raspy yowl, her voice cracking due to a dry throat, and her legs crumpled beneath her. She felt the breath escaping from her lungs, and began to desperately gasp for air. Eventually, the pain settled down and her breathing returned to its normal pace.
She blinked several times, her mind spinning wildly. How will I eat? How will I survive if I can't even walk? She thought bitterly, This leg should feel better after a while… But I'll be dead before I can actually get anywhere on it.
Snarling to herself, she twisted around to look at her leg. Nothing appeared to be wrong on the outside, but if it moved past a certain angle, the pain returned.
She sighed again, and set her head down on the soft dirt. The last thing she saw before she passed into unconsciousness was the sky. There was nothing unusual about it, it was just the same sky she saw every day. But this time, when she saw it, it held new meaning for her.
Under her breath, she cursed the sky.