Alleycats book 1: thunderstorm

chapter 23

Angel paced back and forth, tail lashing impatiently. Was Branch okey?

Then she glimpsed a small brown tail as she was bundled into the car.

Her tail drooped in relief.

Branch!

Branch's crate was placed in front. So they faced each other.

Inside was the huddled form of the kitten. Pressing her face to the mesh gate, she murmured encouragement:

"Branch! Your okey! I was so worried. Your doing great. Don't worry I'll get you home."

She promised unable to keep the purr out of her voice.

Sensing they were friendly with each other and probably assuming Angel was Branch's mother, the humans gently lifted Angel into Branch's cage.

After, as if confirming their theory, the humans watched them.

Branch flung himself at her, purring, tail upwards In welcome. He meowed loudly in his tiny high-pitched voice.

The humans murmured in approval as they welcomed each other warmly.

Branch blasted her with words:

"Oh Angel! It's really you! I was so scared! I thought I'd never see you again!"

Angel cocked her head.

didn't his humans ever take him to the vet?

Maybe he was a stray. Her heart clutched with pity.

Then, the two cats twined tails.

One human murmured.

" that's always a good sign."

The human shut the car door and murmured softly. "Alright, lets take you home girl."

The human opened the cage and looked at her collar. "Angel." The human grunted. "We'll a pretty name for a pretty girl."

The human shut the car door and murmured softly. "Alright, lets take you home Angel." She looked at Branch.

"And your kit."

She stroked the top of Angels head with long fingers. Angel purred and the human squealed in delight.

Branch was gaping as the human shut the cage and walked away, murmuring excitedly.

"How do you do that?"

He demanded.

Angel was confused. "Uh I stood still and purred?"

Branch shook his tiny head.

"No, how can you just let them touch you like that?"

Angel still didn't get it:"uh...I just did?"

"No!" Branch meowed, clearly frustrated.

"No, how CAN you take it? They're scary." He shivered.

Angel was astonished by how wrong Branch was.

"N-no there not!"

She exclaimed.

How could Branch say that?

"In case you hadnt noticed, They just saved your life!"

Branch ducked his head. " I know, and I'm grateful, but they still scare me."

He admitted.

Then, the humans said something that made her fur tingle.

The young female said to her parents: "that's Thunder! Spirits brother! The one that ran away with Flower!"

They murmured something else, but she wasn't listening.

Could it be?

After all her searching would she finely see Thunder again?

The male asked:

"How did he come to be this way?"

Angel hadnt thought about why Thunder was at the vet!

He was hurt!

Was he okey?

She hoped so!

Then her blood ran cold as the nurse replied. "Fox attack."

No, Thunder....

Would he make it? Fox's were fierce creatures that fought hard. Could a cat survive the wounds?

No! More waiting!

Would she ever see thunder again?