Chapter one- Almost There

by EpicNinjaWriter in Oregon

chapter one

            Rina's eyes were wild as she tore through the empty streets. She had to find someone, and something. Her paws slapped against the rough ground. She rounded a corner and saw what she was looking for, a figure huddled against the cold brick wall. The sun shone faintly on his face and hands. Rina leaped onto his lap and gave an urgent meow. "Cap, they're almost here! C'mon, we've got to go!" she mewed. He looked up, and Rina saw not the young, helpless boy she had helped and given love, but the wrinkled face of an old man, his eyes saddened by many years of betrayal. He looked at her for a minute, and then his mouth turned up in a small smile.

             "Rina," he managed, as happy tears flickered at the corners of his eyes. Rina wanted to stretch out her paws and talk about old times while he scratched her head and praised her. "Cap, we need to go, come, get up!" She tumbled off his lap and danced sideways a little, her light orange fur sparkling in the early sunlight. "Rina... I can't." Cap said, reaching out a hand to stroke her fur fondly. The cat stood still and gazed at him in understanding. "You really don't want to come with us?" She asked.

             "No, I'm sorry Rina... but I really can't. If they're coming, I'm ready. It's time I finally stood up for my actions. I have to tell the truth and... I have to do it on my own. I'm sorry." Cap whispered. Behind them, Rina could hear running feet. She jumped up, and gave his hand one last affectionate lick. "Okay, if that's what you need to do, I won't stop you. Goodbye, then. I'll miss you." She needed to leave that sad place, get away from Cap and his old family. She didn't want to be there when his wife and son returned, after everything he'd done. Rina scampered out of the alleyway, making for an old trash heap on the corner. She poked her nose through bits of discarded trash until she touched something soft. An old teddy bear peered out from under a raggedy blanket. She grabbed it in her mouth. This is no time to get sentimental, Rina reminded herself. I've got a clan to care for.

             And with that, Rina turned and raced away into the busy streets and sounds of Manhattan. She didn't look back at the wreckage that had been dug through many times by weathered hands. She didn't look back as she made her way out of the place she had loved, the place so full of memeories, both happy and sad. The place she had once called home.