Twiggy

Chapter 6

      I blinked awake as Comet leapt out of the den and raced around, Silver Sky following after her. I stayed in my nest panting heavily. My mind whirled with all the thoughts, all the possibilities, and I just about fainted. How did it happen?
      I knew this was more than a normal dream. A normal dream wouldn't seem so real, and in a normal dream I wouldn't wake up like this, even from a nightmare.
      That voice, or cat, or whatever it was, had seemed so friendly, but when the comet came closer it held me down for me to die. Who would do that?
      Silver Sky and Comet seemed to be having fun outside tumbling around, playing with moss-balls and I didn't want to distract them. They looked too peaceful. I leant my head back onto my nest and sighed. Why? That was the important question. Why had they sent this vision to me? They could've given it to any cat, but I was the one. They took my Mother and most of my new brothers and sisters. Why did they choose to ruin my life?
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      Silver Sky pushed into the nest, Comet closely behind, gasping as she saw me. "What's wrong?" She asked. I didn't want to reply, so I shook my head and closed my eyes again. Silver Sky impatiently began pacing on her small paws. I sighed and lifted my head. "Ok." I replied. "I'll tell you."
      Silver Sky's eyes lit up. Her tabby pelt glistened in the weak sunlight of the before-day. "Tell me then."
      I closed my eyes before opening them again. This is going to be hard. I raised my gaze to hers. "I had a vision." I hoped I sounded quite sure of myself. I guessed I did, because Silver Sky gasped. "There was a voice talking to me," I glanced to make sure Comet was still playing on the other end of the den. "and it asked if I was taking proper care of Comet. I said yes, of course, but it wouldn't leave me alone. It kept distracting me until the comet in the sky was so close. I started edging away, but claws grabbed me and shoved me to the ground, and . . . and the comet crushed me." I scrunched my eyes up after, expecting the earth to devour me or something equally scary.
      Silver Sky looked very worried. "Are you sure it wasn't just a normal dream?" She questioned.
      I growled. How could she think this? I was so terrified, so clueless as to what would happen, and she thought it was a normal dream! "Yeah." I meowed sarcastically. "I'm sure you're right. You always are after all. Although there's one slight thing. It wasn't your dream!"
      Silver Sky sniffed the air, then whispered. "Look I'm sorry. But we have to hide. There's fox on the air."
      Comet's eyes widened as she neared. I could tell she'd heard Silver Sky. "It's fine," I assured. "We'll just stay here and we'll be fine."
      Comet didn't seem so sure, but she nodded and went to her nest. She curled up and closed her eyes for a nap. Silver Sky and I waited by the den entrance carefully hiding our scent. If the fox came I wanted to have the advantage of surprise.
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It was almost the next morning and there was still no sign of fox. I was starting to wonder if Silver Sky had made it up when I scented it too. I was on the edge of my paws ready to fight. I could hear it barking in the distance, being the annoying thing it is, but couldn't sense it coming any nearer. I shrugged, closing my eyes and began to drift to sleep.
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I woke to the sweet scents of Silver Sky and Comet. Silver Sky curled around me lightly while Comet lay at my belly. The sunlight drifted in through the den entrance. Comet made little snoring noises, and I didn't want to wake either of them, but I would have to. I gently stood, Silver Sky whining quietly. Neither woke.
I stretched the sleep from my pelt and walked towards the den entrance, sniffing for the rank scent of fox. The only smells left were those from last night. I hoped it wouldn't return.
I jumped in surprise as I felt a precede beside me. I heard a meow of amusement from Silver Sky. "It's just me."
"I know that now," I hissed. "Just please don't sneak up like that anymore. I'm frightened enough as it is."
Silver Sky looked in with sympathy. "I'm sorry," she said. I could tell she meant it. You could tell that kind of thing with Silver Sky. Suddenly Comet yawned from the nest and I glanced at my mate with amusement. Her sorries, they almost made me forget what she had done to me all those moons ago. . . . And honestly, it wasn't that bad anyway.
"I'm going hunting." I told them. Silver Sky had worry in her blue eyes, but she nodded anyway. Comet purred. "Have fun, big brother."