He couldn’t imagine going on like this. Earth rolled over to try to find a more comfortable spot, grunting as he hit another root, and stared at the lights of a Twopawplace in the distance.
Maybe he should go there tomorrow. That was what happened to cats who couldn’t take care of themselves, wasn’t it? They became some Twopaw’s everkit? Something in him shuddered at the thought—he’d never wanted that.
But what else was he good for? He couldn’t just wander alone forever.
A sudden rough sound, not far away, jerked Earth out of his thoughts. Was that a bark? He could smell something now on the breeze: a thick, meaty scent that made his fur prickle along his spine.
A dog? He’d heard of dogs, and had seen them in the distance, but he’d never gotten close to one. Moonlight had told him how dangerous they were. Getting to his paws, Earth peered into the darkness, trying to see where the scent was coming from.
There was a rustling to his right, and Earth began to back quietly away around the tree trunk, placing his paws carefully so they didn’t make a sound. But then another noise—a strange jingling—came on his other side, followed by a growl just behind him.
Not a dog. Dogs! Earth froze, his heart pounding. They had him surrounded. Three dogs, coming toward him.
He could see them now: a big black dog with golden eyes, its tongue hanging out as it panted. A smaller brown one, its teeth bared. And one with long black-and-white fur, eyeing him as if he were prey. They were padding toward him slowly, like they were sure he couldn’t get away.
Earth couldn’t move. He could barely breathe. This is the end.
Suddenly a sharp yowl rang out, and a cat shot past him in the darkness, heading toward the dogs. With a flash of claws in the moonlight, the stranger slashed the black dog across the nose as he meowed back to Earth.
“Run!”
Chapter 7
Earth ran only a few tail-lengths away, into a tangle of bracken. Then he turned and watched, awestruck. In the moonlight, he could see that the strange cat was pale-furred and not very big, but moved quickly and smoothly, dodging the dogs’ teeth with ease. He drew his claws across the brown dog’s shoulder, then leaped with a yowl to land on the long-furred dog’s back, his tail bristling.
The dog yelped and bolted into the darkness, the other dogs on its heels. The strange cat was still on its back, his tail waving back and forth for balance as he clawed at the dog. Earth’s mouth dropped open as he watched them vanish into the woods. Should he run? Or should he go after the dogs to help the stranger? The other cat was amazingly brave, but eventually the dogs would stop running.
Before Earth could make up his mind, the strange tom came sauntering back into sight, his head high. His eyes were gleaming with what looked like enjoyment. “You hurt, kit?” he asked. Now that they were closer, Earth could see that his fur was as yellow as Earth’s own. His green eyes were shining with excitement.
“I—I’m fine,” Earth replied. He felt suddenly shy—he’d never spoken to an adult tom without one of the Sisters at his side. And this one was so brave, and had saved him. “That was amazing. You chased off all three of them.”
“You just have to keep a steady mind,” the tom meowed. He eyed Earth. “You’re a little young to be on your own, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not!” protested Earth indignantly, drawing himself up to his full height. “I’m almost seven moons old.” Well, six and a bit, anyway.
The tom’s whiskers twitched. “I’m not trying to insult you,” he meowed. “I’m Root. I’m glad I could help out.”
“Yes. Thank you,” Earth told him, feeling a little wrong-pawed. This cat had saved him; he should be polite. “I’m Earth.”
There was a glint of amusement in Root’s eye. “That’s a big name. I’m sure you’ll grow into it.” He gave Earth a friendly nod. “Well, take care. Watch out for strange dogs. You might be alone next time.”
“I will,” Earth promised, but he was confused. Was Root just going to leave now? What if those dogs came back?
With a flick of his tail, Root turned and began to walk away. Earth watched him, then looked around at the dark, empty underbrush. I don’t want to stay here alone. Quietly, he followed the other cat.
After a few steps, Root stopped, his ears cocked back toward Earth. “Are you lost?” he asked. “Do you need some help?”
“Well.” Earth’s tail drooped. “I’m not really lost, but I don’t know this place. I’m not sure where to go that’s safe.” He hesitated, thinking of Root’s second question. Do I need help?
Root turned around and looked Earth up and down. He hesitated, as if he was making up his mind about something. “Come on,” he meowed at last. “I know a place where we can sleep tonight.”
“Really?” Delighted, Earth hurried to Root’s side, their fur brushing. “I can stay with you?”
Root flicked his tail dismissively. “For one night,” he answered. “Tomorrow I’ll walk around here with you and help find a good place to make your own camp. I’m only passing through.”
“Me too,” Earth assured him. They began to walk side by side, Earth’s paws light with happiness. Of course, it would be even better if Root wanted to stay together—maybe he will once he gets to know me, Earth thought—but it was so good to be with another cat for a while, even if it was only for one night.
He stuck close to Root, matching his pace to the older tom’s. Root kept looking around and scenting the air, his ears pointing this way and that. “You have to be alert all the time,” he told Earth. “The forest is full of danger for a loner.”
Nodding, Earth walked even closer to him, his fur bristling at the thought of the forest’s dangers.
At last, Root stopped by a tall oak tree. “This looks like a good one,” he meowed cheerfully.
“A good what?” Earth followed Root’s gaze up to the spreading branches above them. “Wait,” he mewed, blinking. “You want to sleep in a tree?”
“A tree is the best place,” Root told him confidently. “Nothing will be able to get at us. And when we wake up, it’s easy to get the lay of the land.”
“Yes, but … ,” Earth began. What if we fall out? He’d climbed trees to look around, or chase squirrels, but the idea of being asleep that high up made his pelt tingle uncomfortably.
But Root was already clambering up the tree trunk. “Come on!” he called in a cheerful meow. Unwilling to be left behind, Earth followed.
Up in the tree, Root nodded to the space where a wide branch met the trunk. “That’s a good, safe place,” he meowed. Sprawling along the next branch, he let his tail dangle and shut his eyes.
Earth turned around cautiously, then curled up on the branch, pressed close against the trunk. A breeze ruffled his fur, but the branch felt sturdy and roomy beneath him.
He looked up at the stars, feeling more comfortable than he had since he’d left the Sisters. Root was right: nothing could get him up here. And if anything tried, Root was with him. The leaves of the tree made a soft whispering sound as the wind went through its branches.
Suddenly sleepy, Earth shut his eyes. Listening to Root’s steady breathing, reminded that he was not alone, he fell fast asleep.
The rising sun woke Earth early the next morning, and he yawned and stretched, feeling more rested than he had in a moon.
The branch beside his was empty. Earth looked around, first in the tree and then on the ground below, but there was no sign of Root. He wouldn’t have left without saying good-bye, would he? Earth wasn’t sure: the older tom had been friendly, but he’d made it very clear he wasn’t looking for a companion. Maybe he’d decided not to help Earth make a camp. After all, the Sisters left me, Earth thought. And they’re my kin.