Prompt: A mysterious Christmas present
The snow crunched under my paws as I walked down the darkened alley. My stomach turned painfully, keeping me constantly aware of how empty it was. At the end of my little alleyway, I could hear humans passing by in great hordes, rushing hastily back and forth. There used to be a time when I would try to join them, but sadly I learned the hard way that wasn't a good idea. My ears popped up on top of my head as a crash echoed from the entrance of my snow covered home. Curious, I poked my small head outside of the box I was occupying at the moment. A little human was franticly picking up bags full of colorful boxes, and I noticed a trashcan strewn on its side a little farther in. 'It must have knocked the trash over,' I thought. Not surprising, humans are notoriously clumsy creatures. As if to prove my point, the little human choose that moment to stumble off, dropping one of its colorful boxes in the process. After a few moments I slide out of my hiding place and trot over to the colorful box. It was covered with snowflakes, and had a bright blue ribbon tied around it with a sticker placed on top. "Looks like you found a Christmas present." I turn around quickly, my tail swishing behind me. The big Tom Cat gave me a toothy grin, walking closer to inspect the 'present' as he called it. "Smells odd," He purred, rubbing his noes against the snowflakes. "You should return it," He said suddenly, pointing his calico tail in my direction. "And why should I? What has that human ever done for me, hmm? Besides I have no idea where it went, so I couldn't return this 'Christmas present' to it even if I wanted to." I retorted hotly, my maroon eyes blazing. "I know this human, trust me, you want to return it. She lives up the road, in a big white house with two doors." And with that he turned to leave, stopping only to rub his head against mine playfully before disappearing around a wall. 'Stupid Tom Cat' I thought, wiping my head off with my front paws. I stared at the 'present' for a minute before sighing and dejectedly walking over to it. Gently, I took the ribbon between my teeth and started down the road. About five minutes of walking later and I found myself in front of a big white house with two doors. Hesitantly, with the 'present' clutched tightly in my teeth, I headed onto the porch. Gently siting the 'present' down I turn to leave when the door in front of me opens. "Oh what a cute kitty cat! Are you out here all by yourself?" The small human asks before bending down and scooping me into its arms. Oh wait, Tom Cat called it a she, so make that her arms. "Huh? What's this?" She asks no one in particular, bending down to pick up the 'present' I had so kindly returned. "Did you bring this back for me?" She questioned, looking down at me. I just mewled in response, trying to wiggle out of her hold. A smile split her face, lighting up her faded blue eyes, and she cheerfully took me inside, closing the door behind her. "Mama!" She called, "I found a kitty outside, and she brought me the present I dropped. Oh can we keep her mama, please!" The girl begged as a bigger human entered the small room. "Calm down Cree. Let me see her." The girl happily handed me over to the bigger human, who looked me over carefully. "Alright," she said. "We can keep her." "YAY!!" the girl cheered, taking me back into her arms. "I'll name you Noel, because you're like a little angel." She said, and it made my chest feel warm on the inside. She went into another room and set me down on the ground. A few moments later a bowl of tuna and a bowl of milk were placed in front of me. "Eat up Noel, you're way to skinny. Poor little kitty, you probably haven't eaten in days." She sat watching me as I ate my food, and when I was done she brought me back into the first room, where she sat next to a colorful tree, gently petting my fur. 'Am I heaven?' I thought. 'This is everything I've ever wanted.' "Told you you'd want to return it." Whipping my head around, I see Tom Cat lying next to my new girl. " You were right," I purred contentedly. "Thank you for telling me." And to think, I got all this because of a Christmas present.
Authors notes: This one was the first, for my step-dad Joey. Constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged.
