Chapter 17
It was the middle of the night. I was somewhere in the twolegplace. I didn't see my friends. I did see a strange she-cat.
I stood up. I felt my leg and back ache. My legs felt weak. I kept myself up.
"Where am I? Who are you? Where are my friends?" I asked the she-cat.
"You're awake!" the she-cat exclaimed. "Sit down and I'll answer all your questions."
I sat down. I wasn't sure if I trusted her, but my questions needed answered.
"One question at a time. You're at our camp. We are free cats. Those are cats who don't live with the smallpelts," she explained. I guess that's what they call twolegs. "I'm Catnip. I've been taking care of you for a few days. As for your friends, I sent them to get some rest. They have been here from the time they wake up until I send them to sleep."
"A few days?" I asked. I hadn't been out that long surely.
"Yes. Plus it took Hunter a day to find me. Luckily he found me when he did or we might not be having this conversation now," Catnip said. "You're alive and that's what counts. We can't live our lives thinking of what would've happened." She yawned. "I'm going to sleep."
I was tired too, surprisingly enough. I fell to sleep.
...
"You didn't tell us she was awake?" Silentstorm asked. "I would've actually slept last night if I had at least known!"
"I can't say I've slept well either with all the worry I had. It would've been nice to know," Songheart said.
"I'm sorry. I honestly was not thinking about that. I wasn't thinking much at that point, being up all day and night," Catnip said.
I sat up. Silentstorm and Songheart both noticed immediately.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Songheart said as she and her sister rushed over.
"You had us worried sick," Silentstorm said.
"My dad won't let me out of his sight for a moon once he hears about this," I said.
"As soon as you can leave we will," Silentstorm said. "I don't like this place."
"Why? Is it because of Hunter?" Songheart asked.
"Be quiet," Silentstorm said.
"He's been asking her to go hunting every day. She's been saying she isn't leaving you," Songheart told me. "She needs a new excuse."
"Please, be quiet," Silentstorm said.
"What's been happening in the past few days?" I asked, turning the conversation.
Nothing was too exciting. They had mostly spent time watching me. At least it stopped Songheart from teasing her sister more.
"I just wish that stupid dog didn't think it was a good idea to chase us," Silentstorm said. "I want to get out of this place."
"It won't go messing with cats anytime soon," I said.
"And that almost cost you your life," Silentstorm said.
"But it didn't," I said. "Listen, I want to get out of here as much as you do. I'd go now, but I doubt you'd let me."
"You are not ready to travel yet," Silentstorm said.
"I'm okay with it," Songheart said. "Let's see if my sister can deal with it."
"Honestly, it's a good thing Silentstorm. If it wasn't for Hunter's crush on you who knows what would've happened," I said.
"I might've asked for directions if it wasn't for that," Silentstorm said. "Then none of this would've happened."
"And hedgehogs would've flown through the skies," Songheart said.
"No cat believes that," I said.
"Whatever. We just need to leave as soon as possible," Silentstorm said.
"Right now we just have to make the best of the situation," Songheart said.
"Hello," Hunter said, padding up. "Storm, would you like to go hunting? Take a walk? Anything?"
"Sorry, I haven't slept since Shade was injured. I need a nap," Silentstorm said. She walked off.
"I'd be happy to have a cat like me," Songheart commented.
"Any cat in particular?" I asked.
"No," Songheart lied. There was no point in pressing. "I'm going to catch up in some sleep too." She quickly disappeared leaving me wondering who she had her eyes on.