Eliza’s Encounter

The wind had slightly picked up, causing the leaves to rustle slowly. A forest. It soon died down into a small breeze. Amidst the small clearing between the tall bushes, a pale ginger she-cat was curled up, stirring in and out of sleep.

Deciding to sleep some more, the she-cat curled up more and drifted her tail over her front paws. As if it were a mistake, the wind quickly picked up into a gust which had woken the she-cat and ruffled her fur. Her claws were unconsciously unsheathed as she had used them to keep herself grounded. Once she had done that, the wind instantly died down back into a breeze. The she-cat blinked a few times apologetically and chuckled sheepishly. Shades of green had clouded her vision as she looked around, adjusting her vision. She brought her gaze slightly up to the sky, squinting. Why is it so bright out? The she-cat brought her head back down, stopping in her tracks as she began to blink away the brightness. When she was done, she had looked around her only to find nothing but trees and bushes with the occasional small clearings between them. After grooming her pelt back into place and stretching from her sleep, she stood up with confidence.

“Alright! Time to be on my way!” She padded in a direction who knows where, but observed the forestry terrain around her. “Hello?” The she-cat slowly padded further in a direction she has yet to know where it leads. “Anyone?” Her ears flattened slightly at how oddly ominous the area had started to feel. “Can someone help me?”

It was a foolish move to call out to someone in a place she wasn’t familiar with. Nonetheless, she’d rather speak to anyone than to wander throughout a forest in this heat. After getting no answer, she huffed.

“Of course not, who’d live in a forest in this heat?” She felt a bit upset at the lack of socialization. Thinking about that, she felt a pang of regret as she thought of her home. Quickly, she covered it up with confidence and raised her head higher. Her ears perked over towards the sudden rustling coming from bushes not too far from her. She crouched and padded towards the direction she heard it from, careful not to make too much noise in case it could be dangerous. The she-cat stalked up behind a tree and poked her head around the log to see the cause of the noise. Her emerald eyes widened at the sight of the large, red and brown furred creature.

With relief escaping her mouth through a sigh, she closed her eyes. It’s just a baby fox. he takes a few steps from her hiding spot, slowly yet clearly so the fox would be able to pick up on her. Instantly, the fox turned to face her, its amber eyes staring into her emerald ones. I’m not going to hurt you. She smiled softly at the fox cub and raised her paw out to it. At first, the fox snarled and was flicking its tail angrily. Loose leaves and pebbles were knocked around by the slight breeze caused by the fox’s tail. The she-cat kept her head up high as she continued to gaze at the fox. Soon enough, it moved closer and sniffed at her paw. She relaxed more and let out the breath she unconsciously held. The fox places its nose under her paw which prompts her to speak.

“Are you lost?” In response, the fox let out a small whine and pressed its nose closer to the she-cat, causing her to chuckle. Her intention of finding out about this fox’s whereabouts was cut off by a sudden exclamation, “It went this way!”. The she-cat’s pelt prickled as she looked at the fox who had a newly found rage blazing in its eyes. What’s happening? She felt fear for a moment until the fox spun around, facing the direction of the rustling. Her eyes followed where the fox was facing, her ears perked up when she noticed four cats emerging from the bushes.

“Oh!” Eliza exclaimed out of surprise. A she-cat with fur white as snow had first approached from the bush. Eliza was confused for a moment. It seemed out of place for a cat with that fur color to be living in a forest where it stands out. She was about to speak when one of the others that followed behind the white she-cat cut her off with a hiss.

“Are you dumb? Did you want to get yourself killed?” the tortoiseshell she-cat spat. Eliza leaned back a bit, shocked with wide eyes. The white she-cat threw the tortishell a look before looking at Eliza with slight interest.

What did I even do? repeated phrase The white she-cat threw the tortishell a look before looking at Eliza. Is it because of the fox? Eliza straightened herself, her emerald eyes locked onto the group of cats. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you didn’t have to scare the fox like that.” Her words were like claws that had raked against their muzzles.

“Scare the fox? It would’ve killed us had we not driven it away!” The tortoiseshell she-cat growled. Her mouth was quickly covered by the white cat’s tail. “Dappled, there’s no need for that.” Eliza blinked at Dappled’s reaction, who only seemed to huff and look away.

“I’m sorry about her. My name is Cloud. This is Dappled, Coffee, and Crystal.” With her tail, Cloud gestured towards the tortoiseshell, brown-furred tom, and a dark-blue she-cat. “We were only worried that sooner or later the fox would attack us. So, we decided to go after it first.” The white she-cat spoke gently.

“You didn’t have to do that. It told me it was scared of you.” Espella retorted.

“It told you? You must’ve hit your head pretty hard if you think that a fox can talk to a cat.” Crystal spat. “This is ridiculous.” Dappled groaned, flicking her tail out of annoyance.

Eliza flattened her ears as she began to notice that these cats might not feel what she feels. Cloud let out a sigh and padded a bit closer towards her. Eliza tensed up for a moment. Would she have to fight these cats? It was as if Cloud sensed her uncertainty and gave Eliza a smile.

“We didn’t mean to frighten you, we’ve just been a bit on edge lately.” Cloud’s voice was low so that only Eliza could hear. “I’d also like to talk to you privately rather out in the open like this.” Cloud glanced back at the other cats that had accompanied her.

Eliza stared at the other cats for a moment before resting her eyes on Cloud. “Alright, lead the way.” She felt a bit unsure, but if it meant that she’d get some knowledge on them and what’s going on then so be it.

Cloud took a few steps back and smiled at Eliza. She turned around to face the others. “We’re heading back.” She looked over her shoulder at Eliza and gestured with her tail to follow them.

“We’re going back already? What about the fox?” Dappled spoke.

“The fox is far enough from the camp. We should be fine.” Cloud mewed.

“Are you serious? The fox could come back! We’d only be delaying taking care of it!” Dappled’s pelt prickled with frustration.

Eliza padded up beside Cloud. She felt the white cat’s eyes on her. Does she expect me to say something? Eliza looked over at Dappled, aware that this cat wasn’t going to accept retreating.

“It won’t bother you anymore. It’s too afraid to even try anything.” Eliza retorted.

“Afraid?” Dappled repeated with disbelief. She looked over at Cloud with wide eyes. “Are you serious about bringing her to the camp? She’s clearly out of her mind!”

“It doesn’t matter if she’s right or wrong. I would never leave a cat on their own in the forest. We’ll figure out what we’ll do back at camp.” Cloud began to pad away. “Let’s go.”

Eliza blinked at the white she-cat with amazement. She seemed calm and collected despite Dappled’s temper increasing. Eliza began to pad after Cloud, walking past the other cats. She kept her eyes on the white pelt ahead of her, but she felt the others’ gazes burn into her.

As the group continued their way through the forest, Eliza heard small chatter coming from behind her. She perked her ears to the direction of the voices, straining to hear.

“What kind of cat talks to foxes?” Dappled scoffed.

“Apparently, her. Cloud probably wants to bring her back so she wouldn’t look bad leaving her alone Crystal said sternly.

“It makes me wonder if Cloud really even is worthy to boss us aroun-” Dappled’s words were cut off by one that Eliza didn’t recognize.

“Think what you want, but Cloud chose to bring her along rather than let her get into trouble alone.” a tom spoke. Eliza assumed it was the third cat, Coffee, that Cloud had introduced. “We stuck together because we wanted to survive. Who are you to question Cloud’s authority for wanting to stand by it?” Coffee retorted.

It went silent for a moment until Eliza heard the sound of pacing coming up *replace with behind being* her. She flinched briefly when a brown pelt suddenly caught up beside her.

“I’m sorry if they seem rude. They’re usually like this with everyone.” His eyes rounded with concern and sincerity clouding them. Eliza couldn’t help but blink in awe at how bright his amber eyes were.

She snapped out of her daze when she felt his tail brush against her back. “If they ever bother you, let me know,” he reassured.

“Thank you, it means a lot to know that someone has my back.” Eliza mewed softly.

The two of them continued to exchange small talk while they walked. What felt like a few heartbeats, their conversation was cut short by Cloud’s exclaim,

“We’re here.” She said, glancing back at Eliza.

Eliza watched Cloud pad through the bushes. Is it really okay for her to go with them? She felt Coffee’s pelt brush up against her. Eliza looked up at the tom, watching him nod back at her. Eliza felt herself calm down a bit before she looked back in front of her.

Well, here goes nothing. Eliza took a deep breath before following Cloud.