Being Wild

In the meadow

Sparta was going to inspect the tall grass with her nose, but Rocky stepped in front of her.

-Before we go in, though, I have some rules.

Sparta stepped back to sit beside Minka, who sat up close to her. Rocky started talking.

-Now, you never know how big a meadow is unless you see from above. This one happens to be a small part of the big meadow, but it still holds dangerous things in there. First off, never go in alone. You must stay together. You might get lost, unless you are an expert in finding your way in there.

-Two, never run in the meadow. Like the first, you might get lost. Three, don't explore things that are unfamiliar to you. Seek advice from another cat to know if they know the object.

-Like who doesn't know that, Minka muttered.

Sparta shot a surprised glance at her friend. Minka never, ever spoke like that. It wasn't in her character.

Rocky's last rules brought her back.

-Last, you must watch out for snakes. Be alert for anything smooth and thin under your paws. Okay?

Sparta looked astonished. What were snakes? Never heard of them.

-What...what are snakes? Sparta asked curiously.

-Snakes are creatures with no legs, they don't blink and they slither. One bite could kill you, Rocky replied.

Minka's black-white fur started bristling.

-Don't worry, Minka, we'll all be together, he meowed. Then he whispered so quietly that the black cat could almost not hear, especially you. Sparta noticed a small spark of admiration in Minka's eyes as she lowered the fur on her shoulders. No, no ,no, Sparta thought. Not that lovy-dovy business. Then, to get them going, she stood up and brushed past Minka to wake her up from her daydreaming. Minka shook her head and stood up. Rocky lead the way.

Walking through the grass, it felt nice. The wind whispered, and the change in the air pressure showed that it was going to rain soon. But walking through the meadow brought her back to her catpet days, sitting on the lap of her beloved Tallperson. That was gone though. She had chosen to live in the wilderness, where food and warmth was not given freely.

Then Rocky halted in his tracks, making Sparta butt her face in his rear end. She instantly felt more pressure as Minka did it to her, and she jumped.

-What's up?, Sparta asked as calmed down from the sudden scare.

Rocky didn't answer. Instead, he stepped back, arched his back, pelt bristling. Both she-cats smelled the air, and there was an unfamiliar smell. Could it be a snake?

Then, a black shape slithered out of the tall grass. No legs, and as Sparta inspected its amber eyes, they didn't blink. Suddenly knowing what it was, she stepped back, hissed, and lashed out a paw. In return, the small lithe shape waved its forked tongue out to smell. Once the tongue returned inside the mouth, it set its gaze on Sparta and hissed in return. Minka shrank at the sound, and the black cat came to stand by her side protectingly.

Rocky backed up to stand beside Minka and hissed quietly, - Run, run as fast as you can. This thing is fast.

-What is it?, Minka asked.

The black curve covered in scales lunged at Rocky, startling all three cats. Instead of holding his ground, he swerved in direction that they came and yelled, - Snake! Follow me!

Unfortunately, the black-white she-cat was so startled, she did not run in the same direction as Rocky.