'What the…?' I thought. 'All of the strawberries are gone!'

I had just arrived at the biggest strawberry patch in the area around my secret hideout. I loved using strawberries to cook, but the bushes had been stripped clean! I dropped my basket then searched the bushes more thoroughly. Nope. Nothing.

Sniff.

My head shot out of the bush I had been searching. Had the bushes next to me just sniffed? Then I heard a soft crying noise.

"Is someone there?" I whispered, getting ready to fight if necessary.

The crying grew louder.

"F-F-F-Farrah? Is that you?" Said a small, timid voice.

A little head poked out of the bushes.

"Ah!" the little girl cried when she saw me.

"Shhhh! Its ok! I'm not going to hurt you!" I said, hoping the girl wouldn't attract unwanted attention, by yelling again.

"Wh-Wh-Who is you?" She asked, not coming out.

"My name is Tara," I said softly, "What is your name?"

"Tessi"

"Ok Tessi, Where are your parents?"

This question brought a round of sobs.

"Hey, it's ok! You don't have to tell me if you don't-"

"no, it ok. My mommy and daddy don't want me. My sissy and I ran away. Now I'm lost! – Wait,"

She poked her head out. When she did, I saw the little cheetah ears poking out of her blonde hair. She was like me!

"Uh oh! Oh noes! You-you-you not like me! I gotta get outta here!"

She jumped out of the bushes and began to run away. She didn't get far. She tripped and fell on a branch. I jumped in front of her.

"No, no! It's ok! I am like you! See?"

I took off my glamour spell, revealing my Snow Leopard ears and tail. Tessie's little eyes opened wide.

"Wow! You are just like me! Oh, wait until Farrah hears…" She stopped abruptly, and more tears began to flow.

I crouched down by her.

"Is Farrah your sister?" I asked softly.

She nodded, then said

"Uh huh. She's fifteen and I'm four. I can't find her. Can you help me? Pwease?"

"Absolutely. And if we can't find her before the sun sets, I'll leave a special message for her, and then she can come find you at my house."

"Tank you!" she said, now much happier. "C'mon! Let's go!"

I laughed as she tugged me along, deeper into the forest.

That was three years ago. Tessie, Farrah and I now stay in my secret hideout. Every once in a while, I go back to the strawberry patch with Tessie and Farrah, where we snack on berries and remember the day our lives changed forever.