Destiny of the Alley Cats || A Destiny Series || Book 1

- CHAPTER TWO: Shifting Shadows -

Two days later..........

Heartily glared at Blossom, her fur bristling. Skyler wove in between them, glancing at one another before tilting her head and meowing, "I don't know if that's guilt or innocence." She grunted, narrowing her eyes at Heartily. Blossom huffed, unsheathing and sheathing her claws repeatedly.

"I know Heartily put those flea's in my nest!"

"Oh? Why would I do that to my own sister?" Heartily protested, her ears laid back flat. The grey and white furred cat opened her jaws to argue, and most likely make a stinging retort, but Heartily already whipped around, stomping away and hurt for being accused of doing such a thing. She heard a faint murmur from Blossom; "I'll get her back. . .I'll-"

Heartily gulped, not wanting to hear anymore. She adventured down to the deeper, darker parts of the Alley, wishing for once she didn't have a cat on her back, yapping at her. 

She slowly came to a halt, listening carefully and glancing around cautiously at the huge red stoned buildings lining the Alley. She jumped, startled as a loud bang sounded behind her. She slowly peeked behind her shoulder to see an empty can rolling along the ground.

"Whose there?" She meowed quietly, seeming surprised to hear her own voice echo off the stone walls surrounding her. She saw a few shadows shift along the walls, moving behind large empty sodden boxes, and gross stinking garbage piled atop it.

She took a step back, wanting to tell herself she wasn't afraid if someone or something was there. Suddenly a snuffle sounded behind her, and she turned around to see the shadows dashing passed her. She sniffed the air.

Stinking stench! She scrunched up her nose. Suddenly a squeal burst out and a large rat lunged at her, its teeth bared, and its long naked tail streaming out behind it. Its beady eyes told her nothing but menace. She screeched, jumping in fear, as the rat landed on her face, digging its tiny claws into her cheeks. She thrashed around, terror and pain seizing her cranium.

"Help! Help! Someone! Help!"

Her wail echoed along the walls. She hoped someone heard her. She closed her eyes, shielding them from any bites the rat may attempt. The ugly rodent squealed again, biting into her ear. She made an unusual gurgling sound and flailed around, trying to buck the rat off her face, yet its grip grew tighter.

"Leave her alone!" A huge roar made Heartily jump higher then before, and she felt the rat free from her face. She trembled, opening one eye to see a huge orange furred cat ripping apart the rat, his teeth stained with the dirty blood of the rodent. She realized this was Tony. He spat out the fur of the dead creature, his tail lashing as he fluffed up his fur. He looking up, staring into Heartily's scared, green eyes.

"Are you okay?" He rushed forward, his deep voice almost making her jump again.

"Y-yeah. . ." She stammered, feeling pain sear along her face. 

"It got you good." He grunted. "Your father will be worried." He picked her up by her scruff, carrying her gently back to the others.

A few moments later....

      He laid her down in a sunny spot near a small water puddle. Gentle paw steps approached and Heartily looked up to see her mother bending over her, her whiskers twitching. Lily groaned, misery shadowing her eyes.

"You little rascal! Have I never told you not to go wandering off by yourself in the darker parts where rats could KILL YOU?" Lily cried, pressing herself against her daughter, licking the top of her ruffled ginger head, then washing her face with licks, trying to clean off the blood bubbling from her ripped ear.