Following Fate

On The Wrong Path (Chapter Two)

I opened my eyes, blinking away the wetness. They went wide as I looked out of the bars that held me. It felt like I was running, wind wiping my fur the wrong way. I let my eyes travel over the contents of my crate. There were two heavy chains holding us down. I could easily feel the weighted collar at my throat, the cold metal piercing my skin.

I followed the length of my chain to the wall nearest to me. Just as I thought, my chain was looped to a hook on the wall. There were even padlocks as thick as my paws. I knew I wasn't going to get out of this one. I twisted my body back around to observe the other animal at the end of the trailer. At least I think this is a trailer. Seeing that the other cat didn't want to move, I let my eyes wander to outside.

I watched the trees pass by, thinking about where I could be and what might happen to me. My thoughts were interrupted by a metallic chink. I swiveled my ears to listen. The sound came again and it was just as I thought. The second beast was moving, making its chain rattle. I turned my head around to watch.

"So, Ember. You see what happens when we fight. They locked us into a crate, oh and poor kitty seems to be chained up," Zulu taunted, he seemed to not know he was chained as well. After sitting up he continued to mock me, "there isn't anywhere you can run now. This is just too easy."

I ignored him. If he wanted to hang himself on his leash, then by all means I wasn't going to stop him. I stood up and moved closer to the wall in which my chain was attached. I didn't know how far they reached and to be honest I had had enough of his blood. I let a heavy breath escape my nose.

Zulu laughed, having spotted my chain. I watched from the corner of my eyes, keeping him in my sights just in case. He wiggled his haunches, lowing himself into a crouching stance. The lion pushed forward, still not noticing his own collar. I couldn't help it as a chuckle escaped me. Zulu jumped and snapped back. The chain went taught and the beast fell with a heavy slam onto his back.

He roared out in pain as his injuries were reopened. Blood seeped onto his flanks. I couldn't stop myself from feeling slightly bad about it. Then again he did try to get to me, so I guess he had it coming to him. He realized his own mistake and went to his side of the cart. He lay down and closed his eyes.

I ignored him once again and turned a circle in my own pile of straw. The short stems were warm and provided me with a neat nest. I piled some with my paw and sank down happily. With my tail curled over my paws, I felt safer. I wasn't exactly tired but I felt heavy. I was nervous to where we were going.

Shaking my head to clear my mind, I rested my nose between my paws. Wherever this new place was, I couldn't get out. There was no stopping this trip. My eyes wandered to the bars again, to get a better look I shifted in my bedding. Now that I watched the outside world, some things became very clear.

There were small snowflakes swirling in the wind. I had known for some time now that winter wasn't far off. It just seemed to have arrived a bit early. I didn't mind that it was here; after all I was born in the mountains. My curiosity grew after several minutes. I needed to know a few more things.

Rising from the warm straw, I paced forward until my nose poked through the bars. I pricked my ears to my right, pointing them in the direction in which we were travelling. They soon caught the sound of other moving crates. So we're not alone at least. I had begun to think me and Zulu were at our life's end.

I didn't want to cause any trouble or any more damage to myself but my curiosity was still spiked. Taking the risk, I pushed my head into the bars. I could feel my cheeks squeezing through. I began to panic but it was too late, I had slipped all the through. With my head outside I could definitely feel the icy wind.

Just then to my right, Tiny's head poked through as well. She turned her head to look ahead of her own trailer, her ears forced back by the wind. Having filled her curiosity from that direction she turned my way. I glanced back at her. I couldn't see her small eyes from this distance, but I hope she could see mine. I tried to put as much sorrow into my eyes as I gazed at her.

We might have never gotten along before, but I felt that I needed her and she needed me. I kept my gaze on her until she shivered and ducked back inside. I kept my head out for a few minutes longer before I started to feel the chill of frost. With a tug I popped my head back in.

We had no idea what was to come of us now. For all we knew this was the end of the line. I could imagine Tiny, fear in her eyes as a human plucked at her. I might not like her much, but seeing a little, innocent cat being tortured was not how this world worked.

I shook my head to clear it of the horrifying thought. I didn't need to get myself in a panic. If I had a chance to get free the last thing I needed was being too nervous to carry the escape out smoothly. I turned another circle and lay in my nest once again. I rested my muzzle on my paws, just an inch outside of the bars. Hot breath left my nostrils and swirled away with the snow in a misty cloud. Whatever new things they have planned for us, I promise to watch over Tiny. Friend or foe, I could learn a thing or two about courage. I let my thoughts of bravery wash me into a peaceful slumber.