Strays and Runaways

Cracking Sticks Lead to New Friends

Test Tube scampers through the underbrush, tail swishing wildly as she makes her way to Fans bush in leaps and bounds.

When she reaches the shrubbery behind the big orange house, she sticks her head into it and calls out, "Hey! Where are you?! You've got to see this!"

A sleepy Fan pricks his ears up, yawning and stretching before trudging over to her, weaving between branches as he does.

When he finally exits the bush he nuzzles his head against hers, before pulling back to hear what she has to say. "What is it?" He asks, sitting and pulling his tail close.

"There's humans! And they're in the woods! I found them sleeping near my log!" She explains, bouncing a bit on her paws.

Fans' tail twitches in excitement and the tiredness in his eyes dissipates, replaced quickly with interest.

"Well this is awesome! I haven't seen humans in these parts since my owners stopped looking for me. I wonder what they're doing out here?"

"Well come on, let's find out!" Test Tube exclaims, running behind Fan and gently pushing him until he stands up.

The two laugh a bit before they start galloping towards Test Tubes log, slowing down when they get closer. At least, close enough to see the two kids very awake.

Fan skids to a halt and dashes behind a tree, and on his way to the tree he steps on a dry stick causing it to crack.

Test Tube on the other hand is left to freeze up when the shorter child looks over at her, dropping the stuffed animal she was holding and yelling something to the taller, who appears to be elbow deep in a large backpack.

The shorter turns to the taller, and Test Tube takes her chance to run to the tree Fan is behind.

"What is wrong with you?!? You left me to confront them alone!" She hisses between pants.

"I'm sorry I just freaked out!" Fan apologizes.

Test Tube gives him a playful bat, "It's fine, just don't pull something like that again."

—-----

"I swear Painty! It was a pretty green cat!" Lightbulb repeats, pointing at where she saw the cat.

"Look, it's probably a lost cat, or an indoor-outdoor one. I think we should leave it alone." Paintbrush says calmly, pulling out a zip lock and two energy bars, "Pick up Baxter and come over here."

Lightbulb nods and grabs her stuffed crab, skipping happily over to Paintbrush, who hands her a sandwich and energy bar.

Lightbulb pulls some off the lunch meat out of the sandwich and rips it, throwing a bit towards where she saw the cat. Paintbrush watches amused, but not willing to crush their friends' hopes.

They eat in silence for a few moments, both sets of eyes fixed on the lunch meat.

Suddenly a small red snout pokes out from behind a tree, a green one following shortly behind, until the green cat enters into the clearing, a smaller red one behind.

Lightbulb watches as the cats poke at the food, recoiling at every bat as if they could be attacked at any moment.

Paintbrush giggles in amusement, and Lightbulb tries to get the cat's attention. Successfully gaining the red long haired cat's gaze, she pats on the ground in front of her.

"Pspspspsp come here kitty… I'm not gonna hurt you." She calls out in a hushed tone.

The cat's ears perk up, and they slowly begin approaching. When they're at arms length away, she reaches out and pets them. 

Turning back toward the book bag they were looking in, Paintbrush is surprised to see the green short haired absolutely fascinated by keychain accessories dangling from the zippers. 

Smiling, they hesitatingly reach a hand out, too scared to actually pet it despite Lightbulb having no problems with the other.

When the cat notices the outstretched hand, they immediately bump their head into it, a soft purr rumbling from their throat. 

Paintbrush looks at Lightbulb, almost as if they need confirmation that a stray cat likes them. When they look though, she's busy showing the long haired pictures of the pets she had.

A wave of sadness washes over them as they make a decision.

They're going to find a way to bring the cats.