Maybe it was my fault? If I did something different would I still be at home in my comfy bed? Surrounded by humans who love me? Did I do something wrong? What did I do to deserve this? The place was very large and full of cats and dogs barking and meowing. The cage I was in had a soft blanket and two metal dishes with food and water but it felt like a prison. A place for bad cats and dogs. My human Emily brought me here who knows how long ago. It could have been a day maybe months. I've never been good at keeping track of time it all seems to go by so fast.

"Don't worry Crystal, you will find a good home soon. I'll miss you, be good." Is what she said before she turned around and headed for the exit. I put my front paws on the metal bars and watched her leave. I clawed at them trying to escape.

"Emily! Don't leave me!" I meowed sadly watching her. She stopped for a second to look over her shoulder. Her eyes showed sadness as she whispered.

"I'll come back for you..." I believed her for a long time. I waited day after day for her to return, but she never did. It took awhile but I soon faced the fact that she was never returning. I felt betrayed and angry. She left me here and said she would come back but hasn't. My anger soon melted away and was replaced by a great sense of loneliness. A lot of the other animals in here seem mean or not interested in talking so I kept to myself.

I can't take this anymore, I have to escape from here. I thought to myself. After that I planned my great escape. Everyday a human wearing a green outfit would come and give us new food and water. When the human approached my cage and opened it I hissed pouncing at the human. It was risky but what choice did I have. I needed to get out. The human screamed in pain as I clawed at her arm and tried to push me away. While her guard was down I ran out of the cage and scrambled around the room. All the other animals in the room made a huge ruckus. The room was unfamiliar so I ran around trying to find an exit with the humans trying to grab me. One of them stood in front of me and lunged forward trying to grab me but I was too fast.

A window high up in the room was open a crack, That's my way out. Leaping up onto one of the cages I made my climb up towards it. It was difficult, the humans called to me trying to reach up and grab my leg but I hissed smacking away the hand. Going to the window I started to shuffle my way under the crack. I got stuck for a second but with a good shove I managed to break free. Once my paws hit the grass I ran, ran for a long time not looking back, scared that the humans might be close behind. After I felt like I was at a safe distance I stopped in an ally. My white fur was all mangled and covered in dirt from the streets. Going over to a puddle I knelt and lapped at it thirstily.

Now what do I do? I have no where to go from here. Do I stay in the city or move on somewhere else? All I know is that I belong on my own. From that point on I started telling myself you are a lone cat. No one will ever hurt you again, trust no one and keep moving. It worked for a long time to, I wouldn't go near any humans and if they came close I would hiss at them and run off. But things got tough from then on. Food was hard to find and when I did find something I had to fighting for it. I almost didn't get away from a fight with a fierce lone cat. My fur was matted with blood and a deep cut went down my side. I flinched with almost every step and found myself wondering in the woods in hopes for a mouse or rabbit, but I was getting weaker everyday. Where will I go from here? Is this the end of the road for me...