The Shattered Plains (Aphrika #1)

Chapter 1

Splash rolled over. His striped fur rubbed against the bark of an Acacia tree. He was napping until he almost fell out of the tree. In fear he quickly hung on with his claws. He got up and stretched out along the thin branches. He scraped his claws on the rough gray bark.

His little stomach growled. He stretched one more time then he started to climb down. He stuck his claws into little cracks that helped support him.

Splash reached the dry grass that covered the red soil. He looked around. A few zebras were grazing alongside a forest. The tree Splash was sleeping in stood alone. The forest was farther away sitting in the distance.

Splash walked through the grass hoping to find something to eat. A Afrivan Hawk Eagle circled overhead. Splash had to be careful not to have one of those see him. He was one of the smallest cats so he would be easy food for hungry birds.

The big bird spotted him and launched into a dive. From fear, Splash was suddenly full of energy. He started to run out of the hawks way. With a swift movement the hawk pulled out its wings before hitting the ground. Splash was spotted by the hawk as He bolted for the safety of his tree. The hawk started to give chase.

The hawk was gaining on him. With all his muscles screaming in disagreement but Splash pushed himself forwards. The hawk opened up its talons and scooped Splash up.

Splash wiggled around in the hawk's claws. The hawk tightened its grip. Splash looked up and saw the hawk was flying towards a big Baobab tree. There was a big nest sitting on top of a thick sturdy looking branch. Two little chicks were looking over hungrily at Splash. The Hawk landed in the nest awkwardly. With one talon it held onto the side and with the other one it pinned Splash down so he wouldn't get away.

One of the chicks hopped a little closer to Splash. It was mostly covered in fluff, the only part with feathers was its wings. The chick started to move closer but the hawk squaked at it and it backed away.

Thye hawk looked down at Splash. It tightened its grip and reached its head down. Splash managed to free one paw. With his claws he slashed the hawk's head.The hawk jerked its head back suddenly and screeched in fury.

The hawk was obviously startled and it accidentally lifted some of the weight off of Splash. Splash suddenly burst into action. The hawk focused again and walked towards Splash. Splash was faster and he ran straight towards the hawk and pushed her backwards. She tumbled off the edge of the nest. The hawk spread out her wings before she hit the ground.

Splash felt a peck then another one. The two chicks started to peck him. Splash hissed and reached out to claw them. The hawk flew up and reached the nest. She screeched and dove towards Splash. Splash rolled out of the way and jumped onto the light brown bark of the Baobab tree.

He ran nimbly down to the base of the trunk. The dry grass welcomed him. The hawk flew angrily around the tree searching for Splash. Splash crouched down and hoped the hawk wouldn't see him. The hawk landed on a branch that was right above him.

Splash held his breath. The hawk had strong eyesight so he didn't want to even move a muscle. The hawk launched into the sky and flew around looking for Splash. The hawk saw him among the dead grass and dove to meet him. This time Splash didn't run away. He dodged the hawk and it landed heavily on the ground. Splash jumped on top of the hawk. They fought on the ground for a little while. Splash had the advantage of being on top.

Splash heard a cry of anger and risked a look up. Flying overhead there was another hawk. This one was bigger and looked a whole lot angrier. Splash wounded the one that was under him.

He had a few cuts from the hawk's sharp beak they were bleeding. Splash started to lick them clean.

The hawk spiraled around the tree. It landed in the nest and squaked something to the two chicks. The chicks squaked back to the bird and it took off. This time the hawk flew lower. It saw its mate and landed beside it.