Chapter Text
Your paws hurried along the side of the fence. You ducked as a stick went sailing above your head.
Laughter and jeers called out behind you as your tail twitched from side to side, maintaining your delicate balance on the thin surface. A harsh impact hit your flank.
You stumbled, losing balance and falling into the backyard of a human home. You landed on your paws, but the harsh sting of the wound made you hiss lightly.
“Ha! Didja see that! I won fuckers, pay up!”
“Fuck you that was my shot!”
“Fight me asshole!”
The young humans flung profanities at each other as they argued.
You took advantage of their distraction to slip away.
Groups of adolescent humans enjoyed prowling the streets at night ‘til the early morning, chasing the many stray cats that roamed the streets in search of food. While your territory was in the better part of the city, there was still the danger of being spotted and hounded by the humans.
You limped away from them into the back alley. Thankfully they were too distracted by their argument to notice you slipping away.
Another failed hunt.
You probably should have been keeping an ear out for humans, but that mouse was so close.
You were starving, it had been a week since you were able to scourge up some food. A tom had invaded your territory and while you defended it successfully, you were also badly wounded leaving you unable to hunt for a few days.
You were finally well enough to move and this happens.
While you were focusing all your attention on the mouse, you had forgotten to check your surroundings and the humans had found you and proceeded to chase you.
Your head ducked and your eyes lowered to the ground. Life was tiring. It felt like everything was against you and even if you tried your hardest, life just wanted to screw you over again and again.
You sniffed the ground hopefully, trying to pick up the scent of prey or any wafting food scent from the garbage cans.
You headed towards Trash Alley. It was one of your best hunting spots, most rats congregated there due to all the trash that is continuously dumped there.
A tiny skitter caught your attention and you froze trying to pinpoint the sound. Near the garbage cans on the other side of the alley was a small brown rat.
It was oblivious to your presence and you sank to a crouch, slowing moving forward while it was occupied.
If you could snag this meal, you would be good for a few days.
You moved swiftly, ignoring the pain in your flank. The rat never even heard you. One snap, one killing bite was all you needed to end its life and secure your meal. But as you lifted your head, you heard a soft hiss.
You turned towards the sound, tightening your grip on your kill. There was a female in the Trash Alley. In your territory, and from the looks of it, she wants your kill.
You dropped the rat and kicked it behind you, sizing your opponent up.
You were not going to give up this prey.
You needed this prey to live.
You were filled with PERSEVERANCE.
You stepped towards your opponent, ears flattened and eyes narrowed. When she didn’t move you let out another warning hiss. She backed away just an inch. You took that inch and fluffed up your fur to appear bigger. Greyed out oranges, blacks, and whites puffed out and the other female backed away letting out a light hiss in response.
You were getting tired of her stalling. She was in your territory. Threatening your food supply. You took a step closer baring your teeth at her and flashing your fangs. She narrowed her eyes and glanced behind you.
The rat was laying there behind your hind legs. The female looked starving, but this was your prey, your catch, in your territory.
This intruder had no right to be here.
You lashed your tail angrily and her narrowed eyes turned back to you, inching forward another step as if gaining confidence. You let out one last long threatening yowl. She ignored it.
You refused to give in.
You would fight to defend what you own.
You lashed out, quick as a snake, and she reeled back with bared teeth, before meeting you and raking her claws into your fur.
Fur flew as you grappled with her, rolling on the ground and snarling. Your claws scored her sides and your fangs were at her neck. The next instant you sprang apart and sized each other up again.
She looked more ragged than you did. Her eye was partially closed. You must have skimmed it with your claws in the clash.
She was looking back and forth between you and the rat. You knew she couldn’t win this fight.
She lowered herself so that you were taller than her. She backed away, silently. You hoped she wouldn’t dare step foot in your territory again. After watching her slink away, you turned back towards your hard won meal.
Hunger gnawed at your insides and you devoured it quickly. Bones gave way between your fangs.
Nothing was wasted.
You knew how valuable a meal was.
Who knew when the next time you could find food?
Who knew how long it would be until you next ate?
…
You headed towards your den in the park when a tingling sensation filled the air. A slight rumble shook the ground behind your paws and you puffed your tail out in alarm.
You fled under a bush and watched as a couple of humans looked around in confusion.
You felt a slight tug. You looked to where the tug was pulling you towards. There was a mountain that overlooked the city.
The tug was gently guiding you there. But you didn’t want to go.
You resisted and returned to your den. It didn’t seem like anything dangerous was coming. If anything, there was the faint out-pouring of joy coming from the direction of the tug.
Not like it mattered to you. You just ate, successfully defended your home, and now dawn was approaching. It was time to sleep.
You returned to your empty nest.
There was the hollow feeling you remembered.
You were alone.
So alone for so many years, you couldn’t remember your birth mother nor any cat that you could turn to for comfort and companionship.
The humans were cruel, kicking at you, throwing things at you, calling you profanities, and slinging hate-filled words at you.
They set up traps to catch you and you’ve seen what happens to a cat that is caught. The trap was there again, but the cat was not.
You knew to avoid all things human, but still you longed for someone to share the burden of the days. It didn’t matter who or what, just someone you could feel like you belonged to.