Two moons have never really bothered me. When they are both full, though, hunting is scarce as all the small creatures know enough to hide. Eating animals with eight legs was a bit of an adjustment but I got passed the legs and even the slime. I do dream about wee mousies but have only vague memories of their taste. It must be some subconscious memory triggered during sleep. During the day I usually sleep in what I hope is a safe place to rest for the night’s adventures. I am alone, a cat without companions. Once I had a family. I have indistinct memories of four or five people who patted me, spoke softly to me and loved me. The memories of the feelings are still here. My family left. We lived on a space ship and were explorers visiting different planets looking for anything of value. When we arrived here, wherever here is, we all left the ship, including me. A kitty gets cramped on a space ship with no trees, grass or window sills. I needed to roam for just a while. I found plants with tendrils which reached out at me as I ran by them. There were huge birds which looked as if I would be good prey for them to hunt. I got so preoccupied I lost track of the time. When I finally tried to find the ship, it was gone. The next weeks were a blur. I spent all my time avoiding the creatures and trying to find food and a place to sleep. That’s when I found the caves and the eight-legged things. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Each day I have tried to explore further and further away from the caves. I’ve seen the oddest creatures in the weirdest colors. I’ve been chased by what looked like a giant praying mantis. I don’t think I’ve ever been more afraid. Some of the plants are eatable but taste a bit sour. I’ve gotten not to mind eating the yellow stalky plants near some brackish but drinkable water. I am so tired of trying to survive that a few nights I decided I didn’t have the energy to hunt, but then some instinct kicked in and out I went. A very stubborn part of me refuses to give in to the tired part. Now I can say how glad I am that I dragged myself out at night because I’ve been found. Last night just I had cornered two of the ugly eight-leggers I heard a familiar sound: home. I ran as fast as I could to the sound. There it was: my ship, my family, my home. They had come for just one more check as they were passing this planet a final time on their way to a different galaxy. They really didn’t believe I’d be alive but decided to check anyway. I ran so fast I was a blur and arrived just as the door opened. Two humans climbed down and I mewed for all I was worth. They ran; one of them picked me up, spoke soft comforting words, hugged me and lovingly carried me home.
|
