A frail, grey cat could be seen in the forest, trudging alone. His pelt hung onto his body, and his bones could be seen. Life was hard during Winter, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The loner was starving to death. He had barely caught anything for days, and was bullied by the Housecats wherever he went.

Hearing his stomach grumble again, the tom decided to try a different route and head over to the bright twolegplace where the rain falled freely onto the ground. Away from the shelter of the trees, the cat shivered as cold raindrops fell onto his flank.

Rushing over to a nearby shed he slowly padded in side and plopped down, cuddling with his tail for warmth.

"Who are you?" A voice interuppted his peace. Jumping up, he looked around and saw a dozen of other eyes, like yellow lights lighting up the dark. Shivering, the grey tom backed up, only to be blocked by more black cats.

"Who are you?" The voice spoke up again, this time more annoyed. Padding forward, the loner could see that the other cat was stronger and more sturdy than he.

Gulping, he opened his mouth and squealed, "I am Stone." Before whimpering quietly.

"Hello, Stone. I am Lithe. Though I am not lithe at all." Lithe laughed, before turning serious again. "Why are you here, Stone?"

Stone shivered at Lithe's deep, crackly laugh and replied, "I just wanted somewhere to rest. May I stay?"

The bigger tom laughed again, this time loudly, before quieting down. "Of course you may. But under one condition; you are our prisoner for now. Come." Lithe finished before even letting Stone answer, and the loner couldn't help but feel disrespected. But he followed the leader and hoped for the best.

"You may stay here. Where the elders are." Lithe meowed and guided the smaller tom. The shed was actually bigger than it looked. Stone spotted many other cats look up at him, bfore continuing on their daily chores. No one seemed to be happy.

But Stone still felt at home. He felt safe here. Though his rank was quite low now, who knows what could happen?

He would just hope for the best.