Shining of the Four

Chapter 15

            Sunrise lazily opened her eyes to find no sunlight streaming through the window. Instead, she found clouds strolling across the sky, most likely from the winter storms that had been coming in.

            While she expected to hear the sound of rain pattering against the window, she saw a new substance falling from the sky--snow. She remembered how her mother would speak of it at times, and it was not until now that Sunrise realized what she had meant.

            Curious, Sunrise slowly crept out of her bed and leapt onto the windowsill, watching the snow fall lightly. The ground was covered in a white blanket, concealing all dirt and plants.

            "Wait until Holly and Polly hear about this," she whispered, leaping down from the windowsill.

            Sunrise padded outside into the kitchen to find a bowl of cat food all ready for her. Holly and Polly had not yet risen, giving Sunrise time to eat before they stole any food from her.

            Sunrise ate quickly, trying to consume as much food as she could before her sisters woke up. She had to admit, they were the worst sisters she could have ever hoped for. They teased her for her small size, stole her food, and would not let her take part in any activities they were taking part in.

            Sunrise licked the bowl clean, and she turned to Holly and Polly's bowls, tempted to eat their food. She hesitated for a moment, then walked away. No, she wouldn't act like them, even if they did deserve it.

            Hearing familiar pawsteps, Sunrise pricked her ears, watching the sisters padding into the kitchen.

            "I hope you haven't been eating our food," Holly sneered, pawing at Sunrise's ear.

            Sunrise growled. "I didn't touch your food."

            "I bet she's lying," Polly pointed out. "Look at how her stomach sags!"

            Sunrise hissed at her sister, unsheathing her claws. She looked down at her stomach, seeing it was as thin as ever. "I'm in fit shape unlike you two! I barely get to eat while you two stuff yourselves until you cannot eat anymore. Look at yourself!" she growled.

            It was true. Holly and Polly were a lot heavier than they had been when they first arrived while Sunrise remained the same weight.

            "Ignore her," Holly growled.

            It was obvious that Sunrise had ticked them off now. She was tempted to mess with them even more, though she was afraid she'd get a scratch down her leg. The two weren't afraid to injure her.

            Sure, the nice boy would clean Sunrise up, but they'd usually claw at her again before the wound healed.

            "Have you seen the snow?" Sunrise called.

            "Snow?" Polly asked.

            Sunrise rolled her eyes. "Yes, the white stuff that falls from the sky. Snow. Haven't you heard of it before? I thought you two knew everything."

            "We do!" Polly claimed, stomping her foot down.

            "Well, you didn't see the snow," Sunrise said quickly, rushing off towards the cat door.

            Her owners didn't seem to care if she went outside now. At times, the boy would stay outside with her, and they'd play in the backyard. Whenever Holly and Polly were there, however, they would claim the backyard for themselves, like it was their own territory.