Feel It Inside (#TheAnimalPact)

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    Flame POV

    I didn't wince as my paw pad stepped on a pebble, for I had tough paws on all four feet. Everyone around here did. It's something you need to survive in Runberg City here.

    My ears were high and alert, my tail ready and straight in case I needed to bolt. Always be careful in the city, my mother told me when a I was just a young kit. You have no idea what cats would ambush you.

    I was always prepared when I first left my mother, carefully scanning the alleys and trash cans, the broken windows and shadows, as I trekked along the sidewalk. I still do it these days. Better safe than sorry, mother always chanted. I turned away companionship from cats that weren't careful. They'd ask me, I'd say, "I'll think about it," and study them as they went their own way down the city road. If they weren't careful, I'd disagree. Chances are they'd be kidnapped or something so I wouldn't have to deal with it anyways.

    I scented Bat before I saw him. The dark brown tom gingerly trotted out of an alley, a quick glance at the rising moon. He must have heard me coming, for he turned his head.

    "Hey, Flamey," he purred, narrowing his ice blue eyes respectfully. "What are you doing tonight? I heard that pizza place down the road was pretty busy today, they'll have some good scraps."

    My mouth watered at the thought. I was just heading from a burger joint, but some other strays got there first. And I was heading in that direction, anyways.

    "Fine," I eventually agreed. "Let's go."

Bat grinned and we began walking together, side-by-side.

"Meet any Gangs recently?" I asked him.

"Why? Thinking about joining one?"

"Nah, they just seem to be everywhere. And I want to know who I'm dealing with if I ever get into a fight with them. And you didn't answer my question."

The dark tom cocked his head. "Uh, well, I was trying to find a place to sleep two nights ago. I find the perfect place, a fresh cardboard box with newspapers in the bottom, in the corner of an alley with a drainpipe for water, only to be kicked out by those flea-bitten jerks!"

"Let me guess. Alleyway gang?"

"Who else?" Bat snorted. "I wasn't even their alley. Uh, I think. Or it was the alley next to their's..." His ice blue gaze looked blank. "Uh... You know what, never mind. You got any stories?"

I blinked, searching my brain. I had just remembered the time when I had argued with a rat over a piece of bread when I heard a faint, terrified caterwauling.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered, skidding to a halt.

Bat looked at me intently. "Hear what?"

"That... That yell."

And once again, I heard the faint yowl. It was slightly louder and more frantic, and I could easily determine it to be a cat.

"There it was again!"

"I heard it," Bat muttered. "Do you think a cat's getting attacked by a gang?"

"I'm not sure, but they're definitely in pain." I paused, pursing my lips. "And agony."

Bat leaped forward. "Come on, let's go see what it is!" Startled, I took after him, still keeping my eyes and ears open for any danger. My fluffy orange and yellow fur was pressed against my sides as we bolted towards the sound of the howling. It was louder, and more frequent, as we finally slowed down at the pizza place it was coming from. That's a coincidence.