The Tunnel

My big paws make contact with the cool stone, which for once, makes me feel calm. Although I am currently relaxed, I know that I'll be stressed later.

We've been doing the same thing every day for….

Has it only been a few days?

Or weeks?

Even a month?

Probably not a month yet. But, we've lost track of time. All I want to do is leave this place. So far, it's a connection of tunnels without an exit of any kind. At least, we haven't found a way out yet.

"We're lost!" Gingercat --my youngest sister-- wails. Her short, coffee-brown ears drooped. She sat down quickly on the stone floor, glaring at me. "Just admit it! Who knows how long we've been stuck here?"

"We can't believe that we're lost already," Leona --my other sister-- tells her while crouching down to her eye-level. The tabby stares up at her with her bright green eyes. It can be hard to convince Gingercat into believing something. She stays with her own thoughts until she's proven wrong.

That tabby tends to trust the bengal cat more than she does me, but I understand why she does so. I haven't known Gingercat as long as she's known Leona.

"What if we get stuck here forever? How will we live then, Leona?" Gingercat snaps.

"If we keep moving, we'll eventually find a way out," my sister says. I clench my teeth in an attempt to stay calm. I hate hearing arguments, although I live with them.

I watch as a blob of water falls from the stone above Leona, landing right between her ginger-colored ears. I can contain my laugh for once, while Gingercat and Leona are complete opposites from me. Especially when it comes to reaction.

"It's just a drop of water," Gingercat whines, trying to make Leona's voice. "Is your fur too pretty? Do we have to slow down for you to clean yourself every five minutes?"

That sentence right there can make Leona mad. Really mad, depending on the way it's said. You shouldn't talk like that to her, even though Gingercat does it quite frequently. Darn siblings.

"Have anything to say, Dark?" I'm asked. I can tell Leona doesn't want to put up with this kitten for much longer.

I can see lots, just by looking at another's face. Soon, she might rip the tabby to shreds, but we don't want that to happen. For now, I guess I may as well be in control of Gingercat. I feel like her teacher; her mentor; her trainer. But that's not really who I am.

No one knows the real me.

"Gingercat, give your sister a break." I mutter, annoyed with them both.

Gingercat sighs. "Fine."

"Thanks Dark," Leona mumbled, flicking the end of her tail. "I'm not mad at you, Gingercat. You can be annoying sometimes, that's all." Leona settles down next to Gingercat, and I decide to sit down behind them.

Looking into the distant tunnel, I only see darkness. But it can't only be darkness, can it? There must be something out there, right? I know there's something there, on another end. I can just feel it….

I hear someone's stomach growl, bringing me back into reality. We haven't eaten for a while. We need to find something….

Leona softly taps my shoulder before looking behind us.

A gray mouse. Perfect.

Leona softly taps her dark claws on the stone, catching Gingercat's attention. She glances at the mouse, then back at Leona. I notice the way Gingercat's green eyes brighten with hope.

I'm just as excited as my sisters are. Leona can get it. She's one of the best hunters I know. I quietly stand up, knowing to keep my silver claws sheathed.

Every move counts. Too much noise and movement can lead to failure. We need food soon, or we'll starve. I join Leona as we begin to stalk the grey rodent.

Gingercat doesn't have to come with us. She must be exhausted, and I know she can defend herself if anything harmful is nearby.

As the fat mouse continues to linger away, Leona and I slowly, carefully, follow it through the dark tunnel.