Prologue

Ears flattened and paws at the ready, Cat pounces. As soon as her pads hit the ground, her quarry is clamped firmly in her jaws. It takes the only option it has left, it squeals.
Delightedly, Cat releases her prey, batting it to make it run, pouncing and batting it again.

Part 1

Heart pounding, tiny feet scrabbling in the dirt, Target runs for his life. Darting in and out of the shadows with Cat firmly on his tail until, pausing breathlessly, he spies a glimmer of hope high above his head. With one massive leap of desperation, Target disappears into a jungle of metal and rubber.

Cat settles down to wait. It has happened before.

Part 2

Lady M looks around at her huge glamorous home. All smart black walls, soft grey carpets and furnished with cream leather.  She sighs, so much luxury and yet she is so alone! Suddenly, she hears a sound. One that is very different to the ones she is now used to. She tip-toes to a vantage-point and waits nervously.
Finally a shape comes into view and an uncertain voice calls out, “Hello – Anybody there?”

Lady M remains silent and watches. The shape moves into the light and reveals itself to be a male, dark and handsome. He looks around and, finding no-one there, sits down dejectedly. Lady M is touched by the picture of sadness and moves closer.
He looks up at last and sees her watching him. His relief is palpable. He explains how he came to be here and, each seeking compassion and companionship, they talk long into the night. Finally they hold one another close and drift off to sleep.

Part 3

Mrs Brown climbs into her car and starts the engine. She is about to pull away when something catches her eye. She turns to look and there is a large brown mouse sitting on the consol.
Being a kindly soul and very much an animal lover, she pulls on her gloves and carefully picks up the mouse. It does not struggle and, upon closer inspection, appears to be heavily pregnant. Carrying it to the barn, Mrs Brown gently releases the mouse into the straw.

Two days later, Mrs Brown tells her neighbour about the mouse. He laughs and says that she shouldn’t be so charitable, that where there is one, there will be more.
Mrs Brown sets a humane trap inside the car and sure enough, she catches another mouse, which she also releases into the barn, in the hope that it has a good chance of finding its mate.

“You old softie!” she scolds herself... but she is satisfied with her efforts.

Part 4

Weary and worn after a long fruitless search, the traveller dragged himself into the darkest corner of hell. He had been almost trampled by the heavy beasts that resided there, his feet slithered in the putrid liquid beneath them and his coat was caked in filth. His already exhausted body hindered by its weight.
He found a place away from the horrors of the place and tried to sleep.

Part 5

Marvelling at the glow from the night sky, Lady M turned to go back the way she had come. She entered the barn by the north door and made her way in the darkness, avoiding the occupied pens, her eyes gradually becoming accustomed to blackness.
As she reached the southern side, a familiar sight caused her to squeal in surprise.
“Target! Is that you? How on earth did you get here?” she gasped, running towards him. Target sat up and shook his head. Surely he was dreaming. She nuzzles his face happily. “It’s been so long. I thought I’d never see you again.”
Target told her of his long search and the things he had encountered long the way. Finally, she gently touched his shoulder and said “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

Part 6

Following her out through the southern door, he stayed close on her tail. They reached a smaller building and she ducked nside.
“Through here,” she whispered “quietly though or you will wake them.” Target looked cautiously to see who or what ‘They’ might be. He spied several hens sleeping on a ledge. They didn’t look too threatening so he continued after her.
Once they were inside, Lady M went into a room beyond and pulled a curtain across the entrance. Target looked down into a comfortable bed to see three youngsters sleeping there. His ears twitched with pride as she introduced him to his children.

Epilogue

Cat waits, silent in the shadows. They have to come out sooner or later, but tonight’s hunting will be hindered by the full moon.