The call of the lost [ 1 ]

FREEDOM(?)

I dust my hands off travel back into the house.

When I get into the house I wonder back up into my bedroom and strip my sand coated clothes spraying the sand across the room. Dropping the clothes on the floor I walk out and across the hall into the plain white bathroom.

I pull a paw through my tangled grey fur in disgust. I turn the water on and wait for it to heat up. When I look up from smooth rock rub and catch part of my scarred body in the mirror.

I shiver slightly roaming my tired eyes over the surgical cut across my stomach and chest in a T, the the tiny slits on my shoulders and throat, and finally the brand seared into my skin:27.

I Trace it slowly and try to shake off the painfully memories of lungs filled with water, electricity coursing through my small body, the smell of my own burning skin.

I can still hear them. All of their screams. Roughly I shake myself out my memories and grip my head. [you aren't there anymore, you belong to no one. You are never going to be anyone's experiment EVER AGAIN. I slowly release  a shaky breath and test the now warm water.

I slip in and close my eyes in pleasure. Soothing my sore muscles and relaxing my body. I can feel the warm water soak into my fur  and caressing my skin. In the relaxing water my exhaustion multiplies ten fold. My heavy eyelids drift closed and the sweet release of sleep.

The dark desert is illuminated suddenly as a fire is started and fed. Around it sits groups of cats listening intently to the old but strong looking elder that stood in front of the fire. A small boy looks on afraid yet mesmerized. "I AM TOLAK, AND I HAVE A TALE TO TELL." The  slightly hunched cat's voice comes out loud and booming startling the young kit and making him cuddle closer to his father. The cat chuckles and and leans close to whisper in his ear. " No need to be afraid of tolak, he's loud and bold but harmless." The father ruffles his kits fur before watching again. With newfound confidence the kit copies his fathers relaxed posture and focuses back on Tolak. " THIS TALE IS ABOUT A YOUNG WARRIOR.  A FAMILY LIVED FAR OUT INTO THE OPEN DESERT COMPLETELY ISOLATED. The boy seemed to zone out of the story and instead watched the fire flicker beautifully behind the elder. It wasn't that the kit wasn't interested in the story, he had meant to listen to the elder speak about the family with their sick father, devoted mom, arrogant son and strong daughter. But something was worrying him. His mom wasn't here with him and his father despite telling them she would catch up soon. The worry burned in his belly making him feel sick and queasy. Hesitantly he leans closer to his father and tugs lightly on is fur." where is mamma?"  As if just realizing himself his father perks up and glances around hoping to catch sight of his mate. Worried but trying not to panic the kit clinging to his side, he rubs the kits shoulder and tries to redirect his attention back to the story. Minutes later on the wind was a very faint yell. The young kit heard it first. " mamma?' He turns in the direction he heard the call and stands up interrupting the story. Again the call reached his ears." RUN!" He squints his eyes and tilts his head slightly before murmuring to himself. " "why's mamma telling us to run?" the kits words spark a worried mumble through the small crowd. Before his mother can get closer an net comes flying from behind her and pinning her to the ground. Her cries for her mate and kit echo in the night. The crowd now shocked jump to action and race over to her. Desperately they hack away at the net, trying to avoid the sharp rock woven into it. By the time they free her from the net four more have been captured. A roaring alarm is sounded startling everyone from their bed and panic spreads. Everyone starts to evacuate grabbing their children and what ever they could carry from their dens. One by one  cats went down.; Trapped in nets that cut into them if they dared move. The young kit is scooped up in his mothers arms and he watched from over her shoulder as everything was destroyed. Everything moved in slow motion as he was suddenly flying from his mothers grasp. His father struggled to escape the net while his mother roared in sorrow trying to reach him. When he collide with the ground everything blurred and he could taste his own blood. Shakily he tries to stand and move closer to his parents, help them , do something other than stand there and try not to pass out. Something hard collides with his back and sends him sprawling into the sand. A dark chuckle grates his ears as hes picked up harshly by his scruff. Unable to call for his parents he mewls pathetically crying out for them. " Simon!" his mothers voice gives him a small burst of energy as he turns and bites down on the clawed paw holding him. The aggressive animal yelps loudly and angrily throws him to the floor, making his words swim in and out of view. "Simon!" He could still hear her but couldn't reply." Simon!" His mothers voice distorts and echos confusing the small kit. His body felt warm and he found himself unable breathe. He shakes and squirms attempting to free himself from the constricting hands he felt around his shoulders. His world fades and blurs; his eyes and throat burn. "Simon!" Simon! you have to wake up!"

With a gasp I wake up and glance around frantically at the blurry world around me. [ Danger!] My claws extend and i dig it into,whatever had a grip on me.I felt it tense under me but it didn't let up. I let out a fear fueled growl and sink my teeth into it struggling and spitting. " It's OK you're safe." The voice sounded familiar and it stalled my aggressive struggle. "Safe....?] i can fell my lip curl up into a hesitant snarl. " That it si, come on down." I bite down harsher before releasing.[ Arlen...?] My vision clears slightly and i can see her face clearly. "concentrate on me si, five things you see?" I open my mouth slightly trying to force the words out, but the oncoming panic and fear clouded my brain and my tongue heavy. "Talk to me si." I gulp and open my mouth again. "The w-wall, the white floor, my feet, your eyes, your black fur." Her face brightens and she pets my head softly. "four things you smell?" I nod and take a deep whiff." The bath water,your scent, soap, cherry wood." I can feel my tight chest loosen slightly as she directs my attention away from my previously rising panic. " Three things you hear?" I take another breath and feel my paws relax and my claws slip from her flesh. " My breath, your breath, dripping water."  I can feel her relief as she shifts besides the bathtub. " Two things you can feel?" I twitch my paws in the luke warm water and lift one out to touch her fur." Water, Y-your fur." She smiles and presses my paw deeper into her fur rooting me to the present. [She's here and i'm safe..] "One thing you taste?" I grimace and swallow my spit. " Blood, turns out i bite you and my tongue." She snickers and pats me before pulling me out the water with no struggle. Tired I cuddle deeper into her slightly damp but still warm fur.

[Sorry it's formatted weird]