Short Story

by Nikita La Femme

It seemed like the usual summer afternoon. It was hot and humid, and there wasn't even a hint of a breeze. The hay fields baked in the afternoon sun and the tree branches drooped in a dejected fashion.

        The humans had driven into a nearby city, leaving Miss Kitty napping on the sofa, and Red Dog dozing on the porch. An occasional fly buzzed Red Dog, but all was calm.          Miss Kitty woke suddenly to the sound of distant thunder, her hair all fuzzy with the taste of electricity in the air! She jumped up on the window sill and saw dark, threatening clouds rolling in. Red Dog was standing in the yard with his hair ruffling in the breeze, and his face pointed southwest, as he sniffed the air.

        Red Dog woofed at Miss Kitty, "Come out here, I don't like the looks of this!" She slipped through her secret opening in the loose window screen and bounded to his side.

        They watched, with alarm as the clouds darkened, and the air seemed to turn a greenish color. The ominous clouds rolled into a semi-straight layer of black at the bottom, with what appeared to be tails of black hanging down towards the earth!

        TWISTERS!!! They looked at each other in alarm, and headed for the storm cellar in the back yard! The thunder boomed and lightning flashed all around them, and the skies opened up and rain poured down on them in torrents! The wind was whipping the trees, and they struggled the last few feet to the shelter!

          When they reached the storm shelter, Red Dog ran to the rope that held the counter-weight for the door. Miss Kitty waited anxiously for the door to lift enough for her to slip in, and wedge it so Red Dog could follow.

          Red Dog jumped up and grabbed the rope in his teeth and pulled with all his strength! The door lifted enough for Miss Kitty to see the little hook just inside the door that kept it secure. She tried to reach a paw inside to release the hook, but without long fingers (like the humans have) she couldn't reach it!

            The sound of the twister was deafening! Both of them were buffeted by the wind and rain, and it looked like this would be the end of them!

          Suddenly, the little grey mouse that lived in the barn, streaked to the door, slipped through the crack, and pushed the hook off the catch! The door swung open!! Miss Kitty and Grey Mouse hurried in, and wedged the door! Red Dog released the rope and raced through the door! They pushed the wedge away from the opening and the door slammed shut, just as pieces of the house started flying through the air! They were safe!!!

          Hours later, when the humans were able to return to their damaged home, they started searching for their missing pets. Red Dog's barks, and Miss Kitty's meows led them to the storm shelter!

          Imagine their surprise when out strolled Red Dog, Miss Kitty and a very proud Grey Mouse!