Chapter 8: On the Road Again.

A week has passed since we fled from our home. The close encounter at the car has kept everyone on edge, the guards are patrolling the areas we spend the nights in an almost constantly never ending cycle. The colony is exhausted, we have traveled for days on end with little rest, only fueled by the dream-or should I say illusion—No, not a illusion. We continue our march towards our new home; I only pray that, for our sake that we are going in the right direction. And that it is not far.

Jonathan was exhausted. He had been running on minimal sleep, barely three hours at most, and was running around in a daze. The colony hadn't found any substantial shelter from the elements or NIMH. Since the car that they had called home for the winter was now a smoldering husk, the scientists that had found it had speculated there must still have been gas in the rusting tank, and the fire the rats had created finally sent a spark into the tank, and it had exploded, as far- fetched as it sounded it was the only thing they could go on. Jonathan was more than relieved when they had called off the search for good. But it still didn't solve the dilemma they now found themselves in; they had no idea where Thorn Valley was, or how to discover where it was.

At least its summer, Jonathan thought as he ran through a field of short green grass. The colony had hunkered down along the tree line to the field, and Jonathan was doing what he did best; scout out ahead. He traveled in a lackadaisical manner until he saw, or rather heard, the creak of rusted hinges and a rolling river combined. He reached the far corner of the field, and the sound got louder as he approached a flowing river. He discovered where the sound of flowing water had come from, but was surprised what was accompanying it. There stood a monolith to human ingenuity; on the other side of the river stood an ageing water mill, its wheel still turning with rusty hinges as the water flowed over the wooden wheel. It was obvious it had been abandoned for a while, the wood structure was sun bleached and dry rotted, and the wheel being submerged in the water was tinged green with the brown wood.

It was quite a sight, Jonathan found himself overwhelmed with curiosity, and the need to find a place to call home. He loved wandering out in the wide open, more so than Justin or any of the other rats for that matter, but even a wandering soul needs to find a place to rest his head.

Crossing the river was easy enough, finding a safe entrance was another. The original entrance up the stairs had collapsed, and the foundation was overgrown. However, Jonathan did find a way in, in the form of a board that was once a section of siding that had broken off and formed a perfect improvised ramp into the building. He stood before the building, peering in, sniffing the air for any signs of inhabitants or danger. All Jonathan could smell was the musty air. The sun had started to go down, bathing the near colorless floor in a deep orange through and casting harsh shadows on the inside where the broken siding was not reaching. The room was anything but empty; containing old rope hanging from the rafters; collections of aging fishing gear were strewn about the floor, along with other odds and ends dotted the place. Jonathan recognized the battered remains of a table and chair, mostly trash. Everything else like the metal gears and cogs that transferred the power of the river through to a mechanical saw, or whatever the system was hooked up to, had been removed. A gaping hole dominated where the complicated machine once stood, reflections of water underneath the building where the hole was caste blue and green water reflections onto the top of the ceiling. Jonathan gingerly dropped from his entrance, the boards creaking even under his light frame. This was less than an ideal place for a night's rest, but still, he wanted to explore the space. The colony had gotten used to his extended 'tours of duty', and they wouldn't be expecting him for a while. Besides they're grown up now, they can take care of themselves. And even if they get rowdy, Justin and the rest of the guards can keep the peace.

He darted between the rusted minnow traps and fishing reels. Perhaps the string could be salvaged? Should we start harvesting fish? These were the thoughts that drifted through his mind as he relaxed his stance and strolled between the debris, as the boards creaked under his feet. He walked to the back of the mill when his thoughts turned inward once again. Will I remain with the colony after we find Thorn Valley? And even after that, will NIMH finally relent and let us live in peace? He then remembered reading in a discarded newspaper last week about NIMH finding the burned out husk in the woods, and how they suspected they're escaped test subjects blew themselves up. Jonathan laughed on the inside. As long as they believe we're dead, I'm fine with them calling off their search.

He stepped over to the massive hole in the floor and peered down. He cautiously edged closer to the rotten boards, watching where he placed his feet as the boards continued to moan. It was easily a good ten or so foot drop down into the still blue water underneath the mill, the water wheel churning just outside.

His curiosity slated, he gingerly found his original entrance, and used it to leave. The sun was barely peaking over the horizon, a purple and red sky was slowly beginning to give way to the black of night, and Jonathan figured it was time to return to the colony, no doubt worried sick by now, so he followed the river bank back to his crossing. What he didn't notice however was a large, furry, hungry being was stalking him in the long grass just out of sight.

Jonathan had his mind on other things to notice, he was deep in a trance, wishing it wasn't so far to travel back to the tree line. The lack of sleep was catching up to him and it had hit him all at once. He was so out of it he didn't hear a stick snap behind him.

Oh what I would give for a hot meal, a pillow, and a sleeping bag, Right now. He groaned and threw his head back as he walked along the bank, he was about halfway to the crossing, and too far away he whined.

The being slinked in the grass, muscles tense under the black fur. A pair of yellow eyes barely visible over the grass as it inched ever closer to the unsuspecting mouse.

The air smelled so sweet this time of year; the flowers reaching bloom, the stench of a cat in the air— a cat?

Jonathan snapped out of his state, a cat? Why do I smell a ca- Oh no… He froze in mid stride and spun around. His heart pounded in his ears as his eyes darted around his surroundings, looking for the source of the smell. He couldn't spy anything out of the ordinary in the tall grass, but it was the wrong time of day to see clearly through the thick grass, the sun had gone down, limiting his vision. He started to panic. No, get a hold of yourself Jon! You can't start panicking now you idiot, just breathe… He forced himself to shut out the outside world, every reflex and instinct screamed at him to run, but he had to calm his furious heart and racing mind. If he started running without knowing where the cat was, he could find himself running straight into it. He drew in a deep sigh, and let it out slowly. Jonathan's heart rate was nearing normal, when out of the grass in front of him a deep growl that shook Jonathan to his core. He opened his eyes as fast as they could physically go, and stared into the dark. The wind came up, but Jonathan didn't avert his gaze from the field, trying to pierce the thicket with his gaze. Then he saw them. Two yellow orbs gleamed from the darkness, a slim shadow swished behind the eyes, the beasts' tail.

Jonathan's blood ran cold and his heart stopped. The orbs seemed to notice Jonathan's change in stance, as the orbs narrowed slightly. He kept his head pointed in the creatures' direction, while his eyes darted to his left towards the river crossing. It was too far away to dash from his location, he knew the cat was bigger and faster than him by tenfold; it would catch him before he even reached the river. He swallowed, his eyes shot to the right, the mill was marginally closer. He could possibly make it back to the mill, but didn't know for sure. He was, quite literally, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Instinct screamed at him to move, he started to formulate a plan that, hopefully, would throw the cat off momentarily and give him a small window of opportunity. He calmly breathed in, his eyes on the slowly widening orbs, and slowly raised his left foot in the direction of the river, never removing his sight from the predator. The orbs reacted, descending lower to the ground. It was preparing to jump. Jonathan's brows slowly started to furrow as his raised foot touched the cold soil, willing all the courage he could muster for what he was about to do.

Come on you big stupid pussy cat, take the bait…

The creature roared as it jumped out of the darkness, deadly sharp claws extended anticipating Jonathan to dart left and fall into its grasp.

Jonathan was momentarily stunned by the size of the cat and how quickly it moved for its enormous size. He didn't dwell on it long, as he pushed off his left foot with all his might, kicking up dust, and took off to his right towards the mill.

The cat landed on the empty spot it thought the mouse would be, taking in a mouth full of cold dirt instead of a small, warm, and delicious mouse. It recovered, spat out the dirt, let out an enraged roar and took off after the prey.

What kind of cat roars like a dragon?! Jonathan thought. Adrenaline filled his veins as he ran full speed on all fours for the safe sanctum of the mill. He heard the angry beast come thundering from behind, gaining fast. The cat howled as it jumped for him again. Jonathan thought fast and shot left, into the field the cat had emerged from. The cat landed with an earth shaking thud, missing Jonathan by mere inches. The long grass slowed him considerably, needing to weave in and out of blades that blocked a straight running path. He clambered over bundles and crawled under others, desperate to reach safety he tried to keep the mill's roof protruding over the tall dark blades in front of him as often as possible. He was maybe ten or so feet from it, give or take. A claw cut through the grass in front of him, missing him, but interrupting his train of thought. Math can wait; I just need to reach that mill in one piece.

Suddenly the cats head burst from where the claw burst forth, yellow enraged eyes darted around, looking for its meal. Jonathan thought quickly, he knew if he were to stay in the thick grass he would be slowed down even more, and his window for escape would close completely, if the window hasn't closed on him already.

The cat turned and roared as it spotted Jonathan. The cat lunged for him. Jonathan, without hesitation, jumped up with all his might as the sharp blades of teeth dove for his flesh. The cat bit down on a group of grass stocks, and Jonathan didn't waste any time kicking the cat in the eyes as he ran over its head. The cat reeled as Jonathan ran down the length of its back, struggling to keep upright because the hairy beasts' fur was matted beyond belief, and because the cat was thrashing as it yowled from the pain of Jonathan's twin feet. Jonathan touched down behind the animal and continued his dash for survival towards the mill, the board he climbed earlier beckoning him into the building once more. He didn't slow down as he hurled himself at the ramp and ran, the dark opening continued to beckon him.

The cat had recovered, and seeing its dinner nearly out of its grasp, grew even more infuriated with its own incompetence. It ran at the prey as it neared the opening in the wall.

Jonathan was so close, he was almost to the entrance when an unearthly roar caught him off- guard, and he stumbled. No, of all the times! He cursed as he tried to get his legs out of flight mode, and back underneath him. His claws on his hands dug into the board, holding on for dear life as he managed to get back onto his feet and continued to safety.

The cat dove for its meal, sharp claws extended for purchase on the fur of Jonathan's back. The mouse managed to get its footing and managed to stumble out of reach. The cat's already bruised face ran into the improvised ramp, missing the mouse by a large margin. The board shattered under the force of the body. Jonathan was flung into the air, just shy of the entrance.

No! Jonathan's hope shattered like the ramp as he flew through the air.

He tumbled down, passing his opening to the mill just out of reach, and landed on the ground in an unceremonious heap. He recovered quickly however, and saw a new opening for escape underneath the flooring to the mill. He didn't hesitate as he shot for the new escape. He found himself in the dark recess under the mill, unable to see anything past his own paw directly in front of him. But he didn't care as he tripped over debris and anything else in the dark to escape his chaser. He remembered the alcove under the mill, if he could reach that and dive into the water below, he might be safe. He had to get there first. He risked a glance over his shoulder to see his pursuer, and was pleasantly surprised by the sight. The cat had not recovered from smashing its head into the board; the cat lay on its stomach, yowling in agony as it laid there in a dazed state. Jonathan couldn't help but start feeling incredibly smug.

"Ha!" He gloated, "Outsmarted by me you jerk!" He flung his hands in the air in the shape of a popular gesture humans used to show their disgust. Or in this case, proving who won this battle. He continued his victory dance as the ground underneath him flexed.

"Serves you right you overgrown furry piece of—"

The ground underneath his feet collapsed, and he tumbled into darkness.