Tigeress

Brittle leaves crushed under my paws as I ran about around the clearing. Terror thundered inside me. I could practically hear my own heartbeat. Bu-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.

I heard a low snarl and felt hot breath on my ear.

"Run faster!" My mother, Ivy cried out.

One of the dogs chasing us lept at her and promptly began to maul her tired and frail body.

Horror and grief made me freeze for a second. The dogs piled on top of me. I closed my eyes and waited for death.

1.

I wake up. Warm sunlight tickled my orange tabby fur. The terrible memory came flooding back to me. It wasn't just a dream I thought bitterly.Why try and make it?

I get up and prod my brother next to me. "Get up Nova. We're on the move again."

Nova looked at me, squinting. "Why? We just got here."

I sighed. "You know how it is. Some cat always complains that we're in the way."

"Not yet." My brother argued. I swear, he is so stubborn. "Maybe we've finally found a place to live."

"I said no, Nova."

Nova frowned and stood up. "Why won't anyone understand? We need help."

He was right. We were skinny, and covered in a bunch of Twoleg stuff. And by skinny, I mean you-can-count-all-of-our-ribs skinny. "I don't know."

"Hey!" A mangy, battle-scarred tom raced towards us, eyes blazing and fur bristling.

"Time to go!" I yowled.

TBC for now