The Secret World Of Cats
Chapter Two: Tearium
We were only just starting the trip, but I was tired. I'd spent Wednesday and Thursday night all over the house, making sure everything was ready, but the others wouldn't let me sleep, we had to continue on. Not that I didn't want to go, well, I didn't want to go, but I'd accepted a double dare from Retally, I had to go.
We'd all stopped twice to get something to eat off the side of the road, nothing too interesting went on. It was about two hours after sunset, when Retally said that we should call it a day, we all agreed.
In the morning we set off again. The sights we saw weren't anything really interesting. Though the houses were ok. I sighed deeply, remembering my house. My humans.
Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise shot past us. I arched my back and hissed. I'd been daydreaming, and didn't know that we were now walking along side a highway. Retally turned to look at me. He and the others had seen the cars, I didn't.
Sorry. I, I wasn't looking.
Thats ok Tearium, just, stay close.
Retally took off again. Behind him Marken and Rewet were all but pleased. Rewet looked hungry, and Marken was cold. I walked beside Ulips.
Her shaggy coat had a small gleem to it as we walked along on the side of the road. Her matted fur seemed like a dainty coat. I turned my head. I was too young to be looking at females in that way. Or was I? Well, I was still considered a kitten, or at least it seemed that way. I sighed. Ulips turned her head to look at me. Her eyes were a gleeming yellow.
I heard Retally calling our names.
Ulips, Tearium! Are you here? Earth to Tearium! Earth to Ulips! Come here!
I sped up, and nearly knocked into Retally, he gave me a sturn look.
We have to cross the road, the entrance to the city's alleyways are back there. Thats the quickest route, unless you'd all rather take another day on the road to get to the main entrance.
No one wanted to, so we all stood at the end of the sidewalk, to wait for a clearing in the road.
When a light turned red, the cars stopped, all but the ones turning into the right lane. We advanced. Many people looked out the window at us, not knowing what we were doing. When we reached the other side of the road, the light turned green. We'd just made it.
The alley was dark, very dark. Numorous cans and boxes labeled one thing or another, were sitting all about. Three oversized dumpsters smelt putrid. Two pitbulls barked from behind a fence down on curve of the alley. The fur on my back bristled.
Let's find these cats, and get out of here. I miss the alleys of home. We were all surprised to hear Marken. Rewet shook his head.
I like it here. Alot.
We all heard it at the same time. It was a loud, siren of some sort. I hissed, and arched my back, Ulips wasn't far behind. Rewet crouched down and looked about nervously. Marken and Retally only looked about, they were unmoving all but thier eyes.
The siren died down, and we calmed down. Retally started walking, rather slowly, towards the other side of the alley.
The first cat on the list is Starjet. It says she can be found near Central Park. Thats where we have to go, Central Park. I don't take it anyone knows where that is? We'll have to get directions, come on. There has to be another cat around here someware.
I didn't say anything, but I was wondering who put Retally in charge? We all folowed him, though.
A loud crash from the side lane of the alleyway was heard, and echoed through the walls. A human's screaming voice followed, and then, I saw her. Every male cats dream. Or at least, it seemed that way to me.
She was thin and sleek. Her shaggy coat was a bright orange with black stripes. She had a long, triangle-like black stripe on her face. She looked at us with gleeming yellow eyes. Though she was a stray, and I a house cat, she was the most lovely thing I'd ever seen. She looked at us in confusion.
Are you new? I've never seen you before.
She walked closer. Her tail was torn in a few places.
I am Retally, this is Marken, Ulips, Rewet and Tearium. We've come from our town to seek out these three cats, and take them back with us. We've got a big problem.
Retally did most of the talking, and in about thirty minutes, she was going to go with us.
Retally lead the way out of the alley. Marken and Ulips followed, then, Rewet, myself and Zaqqaz. Zaqqaz was the new alley female we'd recruted.
I know how to get to Central Park, follow me. I know a few short cuts.
I was right behind her. Not for long though. Soon I was walking in single file with Marken, Ulips and Retally. She was off to one side, and Rewet on the other.
We walked on the sidewalk of a noisy and busy road. We did get a few stares from people on the streets, but no one stopped us.
So, why are you looking for Starjet?
Zaqqaz asked as she stopped, waiting for the light to turn red. We'd walk across the road with a few humans. It was safer that way.
Four or five stray dogs in are town have become rabid, and no one knows how to warn the humans who haven't seen them yet. Higiop says the cats on this list have delt with things like this, and should know what to do.
Zaqqaz nodded.
I've heard of them, and I know where you can find Starjet. Central Park is a large place.
After about another hour of walking, we had reached Central Park. It was huge.
I felt really lucky that we had Zaqqaz along, otherwise it would take us three days to find Starjet! She stopped, and streched.
It took us longer then I thought.
She looked around, then turned around to look at us.
Starjet could be in three different places, we'll have to split up, we'll cover more ground that way.
Retally nodded, he started to say something, but Zaqqaz cut him off.
Retally, you and Rewets take that way. A memorial of a dog -Why humans want to rememeber a dog I have no clue- is on the sidewalk, she might be sleeping inbetween it's legs. Marken and Ulips, you two head that way, there is a really, really, really big tree about two miles down this road, she'll probably be in the top four branches. Tearium and I will look for her under one of the ten benches she likes. If you find her, since she has a great sense of smell, she'll probably find the rest of us in no time. Good luck!
You could tell Retally was reluctant to leave, he wanted to stay in charge, he probably wanted to go with Zaqqaz too. I turned my head to watch him walk down the path.
He's the only one whos going to find her.
Zaqqaz said, following my gaze. I looked over at her.
What? But, I though you said she could be in any of the three places.
No. Not at this time in the evening. She'll be at the statue. I sent him to find her because he looks like a cat who wants all the glory for himself.
She started off down the path. A gentle swaying motion to her strides made me follow unknowingly.
He isn't like that all the time, but alot of the time he is. Ever since we left, he's tried to take charge. Ulips, Marken, Rewet and I never said anything about it though. We all needed someone to lead us, and we weren't about to do it.
She nodded, and walked on.
The trees seemed to whisper to each other secrets of all types, neither I nor Zaqqaz knew what they were. The air smelt good. It was another perfect spring night.
I inhaled deeply, and was overyjoyed with everything I smelled. A few people walked by, but we paid them no attention. A slight breeze blew across the air, rustling our fur. She turned to look at me. Her moon-lit green eyes sparkled.
How long do you think it will take Retally to find Starjet?
She said.
Hmm. Ten, twenty minutes tops. He is really fast at these things.
She yawned, and streched. A large foutain blew water into the air infront of us. We stood silent and peacfull for a few minutes, under the moonlight and the gentle wet breeze from the foutain. Not enough to be considered water though. But just enough to make a peacfull breeze. Sadly only for a few minutes though. Because after about one and a half minute, Retally, along with Marken, Ulips, Rewet and Starjet returned.
Chapter Three
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