All Alone

Chapter 5

Being to scared to disobey, I quickly followed.
I had to convince the cat to tell me who it was! I just had to!

"If I for say, joined you and served as your minion, would you tell me who you are?" I mewed thoughtfully.

"Why should I? No one knows who I am." She spat.

"Ok, if you won't tell me I'll just have to call you... Slither. Yes. I think I like that. Hello Slither!"

"No!" She roared. "That is NOT my name!"

"Well I can't exactly call you anything else unless you tell me."

"You cannot deceive me with thoughtless trickery. I am much smarter then that."

"Well then, Slither, if it's ok I'll go to sleep now."
The night was turning black and countless glittering stars littered the night sky. The cat glared at me with its snake-like eyes, not stopping me but also obviously disapproving.
"Good-night!" I mewed sleepily.

I woke up to sharp prodding on my side and urging voices whispering, "wake up, wake up," over and over again. When I blinked my eyes open, the scarred brown face was gazing at me with luminous eyes.
"Ow?" I squeaked.

"We have to go, they're after us!"

"Who are?"

"No time to explain, follow me unless you want to be turned into crow-food!"

Hearing that, I decided to follow. I guess being a crows dinner just wasn't very appealing to me right now. We scurried through the poplars until suddenly she skidded to a violent stop.
"Oh no."

She turned and began running the other direction. I began to wonder, what on earth was this cat thinking? I thought we had to get away from the enemy- not to them. Although I guess Slither was my enemy too.
It seemed like she could read my mind because she hissed.
"I am not Slither."

I almost started arguing with her again, wanting to pester her until she gave in, but realized at the time, running was much more valuable.
We ran and ran until I felt that my lungs might burst. A burning feeling filled them and every breath I took, was getting harder to take in. All I could muster was short, ragged gasps of breath.
Suddenly Slither dove under a bush and I frantically scattered and scratched at the dusty ground, trying to follow her.

Soon we were in a cave. Water dripped off the roof into a small clear puddle and moss grew along the walls and floor. The ceiling had long spiked vines hanging from it.
"This is the place." Slither hissed. Before I could ask her any questions she disappeared out of the cave. As soon as she had left, battered cats slithered out of smaller caves along the sides, sly grins on their faces.

"Oh looky here!" One called.

"Oh our master has brought us another meal." Another growled, licking his lips.