Prologue
"Mom!!!" I screamed. "I'm going exploring!"
"Ok Aylena!" Mom called back. "Don't go too far!"
"I won't" I called, hiking into the woods, paper in hand. Before I left this forest to return to the camping site, I vowed myself I would see a bird, poison ivy, a squirrel, a chipmunk, and a cat. Yes, I know there are feral cats in the woods that people have let loose, and I wanted to see one!
* * * * *
I checked my watch. I had been in the woods for an hour. It was time to head back, and I still hadn't seen a chipmunk or a cat.
Suddenly, a chipmunk raced across the path.
"Chipmunk, check!" I said. Suddenly, three cats leapt out of the bush on the side of the path and raced after the chipmunk.
"Whoa! Three cats!" I yelled, "I gotta go after them!" With that, I scrambled after them.
* * * * *
"Nice catch Pouncepaw." I praised, "You'll be a warrior in no time!"
"Really? Thanks Shockheart!" Pouncepaw beamed.
There was a rustling behind us. A smallish twoleg popped out of the bush.
"Twoleg! Run!" I yowled to the rest of the hunting patrol. They scrambled toward the camp.
"No! You'll lead it to our camp!" I screeched, but they were too frightened to listen to me.
We tore into the camp, yowling, "There's a twolge after us!"
The twoleg swatted away the thorn barrier, leaving the camp exposed to anyone who wished to enter.