Twiggy

Chapter 9

      Since I had woke with the gashes on my stomach and neck, I was quite paranoid. Every time a leave rustled or a mouse ran across my path, I jumped, tail puffed and growling. I guess I was just nervous because I thought anything could hurt me now. . . .
      I hadn't traveled far from my den under the pine and I wanted to get further by night. The only problem was that when I saw a bird, I jumped under a bush and hid for what seemed like forever.
      Every little while I would feel safe again, but then my wounds would start bleeding and i'd be reminded that I wasn't. I would never be. And that I never actually had been. It was really just a cold reality.
      My strengths had been washed away and my fears had multiplied. I was weak, and I didn't want to be. A shrew scurried by and my eyes widened. It's going to hurt me, no, no. . . .
      That was when I realized it was just prey and went to catch it. Even as I stalked it, I quivered and shook. My whiskers buzzed with fear and my nose went wet.
      I dug my shaky claws into its fur and it squeaked. I jumped back, releasing it. Was I seriously afraid of a shrew's squeak? It's squeak of fear?
      The shrew quickly escaped underground, and I felt a rush of relief. I don't have to hear it's squeaks anymore. I don't have to be afraid.
      I could just hear all the voices calling me a coward. But I didn't care. If that was what I was now, then be it.
      I padded on, ears perked for the slightest sound. Soon, I reached a beautiful tree, rustling in the wind. It scared me, but I came to a rest there anyways. I needed to sleep.
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      I was in a world where the comets were closer than ever. They scorched the ground with s dangerous heat. Animals were crouched in terror everywhere, scurrying quickly towards their dens- a estimated safety. But no one was safe.
      A comet whirled out of its path and plummeted to the ground, ripping a giant crater in the forest floor. Trees toppled over with the force.
      The comets had used to be a light show- just another pretty thing in the sky - but now it was danger. Unpredictable, unstoppable danger. Nobody was invincible to them.
      Birds shrieked as their nests were blown out of trees. They took off, abandoning their once loved eggs and home.
      A voice echoed loud and strong against the force. "How do you like your world now?"
      Where was the voice coming from? Why was it talking?
      Then a cat approached me. An exact copy of me in fact, was it me? It looked into my eyes, but those cold eyes were red. Last time I checked, my eyes were not red.
      He didn't speak. He stood there, staring at me with menacing eyes. When I made a move backward, he stepped forward. What was he doing?
      I turned on my paws and ran away, but I found I was stuck, my paws planted on the ground. What? I tried to heavily lift a paw, but I had no success. I wanted to wail out my misery, but I had to stay strong.
      The 'other me' advanced, it's mouth gaped in an evil grin. It's brown fur looked stiff as a rock, and it's heart thumped so loudly I could hear it. "Come with me," it said. "I need to show you something."
      I wanted to resist, but I didn't. This was my mind calling to me. It was the other side of me, the half that wasn't good. Even though this cat was possibly the most evil thing i'd ever met, I had to give him a chance.
      "I'm coming." I replied, following on my now working paws.
      I reached his paws and I realized just how similar we were. His eyes flashed with the same uncertainty as mine always did and his ears flicked at every sound. "Hello Twiggy, I'm Twiggy." He meowed as we reached a pool. I dipped my head, then returned the greeting.
      He motioned towards the shiny pool, little waves rippling across the top. He didn't try to hold me back as I leaned forward and drank from it. He looked at me, eyes glinting, and smirked before vanishing. The water rippled above my head- I was underwater now? - and I was swept awake.