Demeter wasn't sure where she was, she wasn't even sure she wanted to know. The table she was being held upon was metallic and felt icy beneath the pads of her feet. She was being restrained by stubborn humans who refused to let her go, no matter how much she squirmed and complained. They were speaking to each other, but just like in the alley, Demeter could not understand them.
"What do you think we should do? She looks well fed, not too many fleas, and she's quite a pretty cat. I wonder if she's got an owner." One veterinary technician commented to another vet, only he was in a white coat. The technician firmly held Demeter down.
"No, she has no collar, no microchip. She's a stray. Shelter policy states that any animal brought in off the streets must be given immediate care, and that includes spaying."
"It's what's best. I'll get the paperwork started." The vet technician removed her hands from Demeter. The tortoiseshell thought it would be the perfect chance to escape, but before she could move a single inch, the vet with the white coat took over for the technician, and Demeter was stuck there on the table, totally vulnerable and defenseless.
The technician returned with a clipboard. As she entered the room, the door jammed, and it knocked into her, sending the clipboard clattering to the ground, all the papers that were attached to it floating down to the polished floor like leaves falling from a tree in autumn.
The vet instinctively went to help the technician tidy up the mess, leaving Demeter on the table with no restraint. She didn't want them to notice, she wanted to be still so they wouldn't realize their mistake. As they continued picking up the forms, another technician opened the door. Demeter didn't know for what reason, all she knew was there was suddenly a gateway to freedom and she was going through it.
The people in the clinical office immediately stared at her as she frantically ran around the building, searching for an exit. Her paws were moving double-time, and her head turned in every direction so her eyes could scan her surroundings. There were tables, chairs, other people with animals, even cats in cages! Strangely the felines didn't seem bothered by their current situation, they were all intrigued by Demeter's attempt. Some were barking, some were chirping, others just watched in bewilderment.
The secretaries from behind a desk came running around the corner towards Demeter, but she was too fast for them. She darted left and right, in a crazed zigzag fashion. Her energy was depleting, but she wasn't about to give up.
She noticed a window, slightly open. It was enough for her to squeeze through so she charged towards it. She was about to launch herself upwards to the windowsill when a pair of legs stepped in front of her. The vet with the white coat was standing in front of her with a net. She cautiously backed away from him, the other staff members joining him by his side as they closed the gaps between themselves. They were cornering her… at least that's what they were trying to do…
Just as the vet threw down the net, Demeter ran to the side, slipping between the legs of a stunned secretary. She'd fallen on her bum, which Demeter didn't plan for, but it was another distraction, for the other people were helping her up as the front door was opened by a customer, unaware of the chaos taking place inside.
Finally, Demeter could escape. She ran through the door and through the parking lot, disappearing into the surrounding woods.
The veterinary hospital staff were all standing now. The secretary was brushing herself off, and the technician turned to the vet, "She had someplace to go, don't you think?"
"I'll say." The vet in the white coat scratched his head. Never in his life had he seen such a determined animal. Wherever she was going, he hoped the ambitious cat reached her destination.
A/N: There was a vet clinic in this chapter, so I feel I'd be failing as a Companion Animal Science major if I didn't point out that you should spay/neuter your pets! Too many of them are winding up in shelters, don't get adopted, and end up euthanized! There are also health benefits to spaying/neutering. I have two cats and a dog and they are "altered" and remarkably healthy. Still unsure? Do your research! Only 2% of cats in shelters and 15-20% of dogs actually get adopted. Spaying and neutering will lead to less animals in shelters, and less animals euthanized! Sorry, but I had to get that out. Thanks for reading!
