In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]

[Bonsai]

Duck
Former TC ~*~ Kittypet
OPEN

The cream-colored tom sat with his tail laying across his paws on the plush seat of his Twoleg's nest (couch). A warm purr thumbed in his throat as his watched his Twoleg peacefully drift off to sleep. She had been leaving him alone more frequently and she had been coming back more exhausted than ever. He was worried about her. Often time she'd stay up late staring at her glowing box (TV) or her none glowing box (book). Tonight had been no different. She still had so much to learn. Duck felt a tinge of pride as he watched her. She seemed to have grown up an awful lot since she had first rescued him from his catnapers. He shook his head as he laid it down on his front paws. Taking care of a Twoleg was a lot of work.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

His head shot up, ears twitching a hiss escaping his throat. Shock reached creeping cold fingers around his mind. Fortunately, old warrior instincts worked their wonder and forced him to his feet. He felt his Twoleg shake and move underneath him. She pushed him off balance and he landed with a thump on the floor. “What is that!” The sound made his voice seem so small that even if she had been able to understand him Duck doubted she would have.

His Twoleg swept him up by the scruff and began carrying him out. At this point in his kittypet career he was used to being picked up by her, but never had she held him so tightly or moved so fast with him. He felt her heartbeat rapidly. This mousebrained noise was scaring her! He purred and licked her hand, two things which usually helped but she didn’t even look down. His tail flicked back and forth as he trained his green eyes on her worried face. What did this noise mean?

He didn’t have to wait too long for an answer. When his Twoleg opened the door to their room thick hot smoke came rushing in. It took up space greedily trying to force its way down his throat. Duck coughed and choked. He heard his Twoleg doing the same. One word entered the scrambled mess that was his mind. Fire. His Twoleg fell to her knees. Pain flared up his back but he ignored it. You can’t stop now! You have to escape! He wriggled in her grip and started licking her face. “Get up! Get up!” She wheezed something at him in Twoleg and then set him down. He felt weight on his collar as she began to crawl. He suspected she meant to drag him with her, but he trotted alongside her so she never got the chance. “We’re going to make it.”

They crept like that down the hallway. Duck checked their surroundings, but he couldn’t see the source of the blaze. The pressure on his collar slackened, she needed both hands to keep going now. Her labored breathing made Duck forget about his own. He brushed his tail along her side. “Just a little more I promise.”

They made it to the Twoleg slope (stairs). Duck knew that after descending from these, getting out would be as easy as walking forward. They truly were almost there! As they made it to the first step, Duck felt hope begin to rise in his chest. They could do it! Crack. Duck swung his head toward the source of the sound. Crack, crack. His Twoleg looked down beneath her as the old wood of the slope was beginning to give way. She tried to scramble forward, but it was too late. Crash! There was a sickening thud and a yelp as his Twoleg fell downwards. He was left staring blankly at the empty spot in the floor.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

No no no. “No!” He rushed to lean in and, peering through the hole, he saw his Twoleg rubbing her head, and getting up. She looking shaky, but she seemed alright.

Relief washed over him like a waterfall. He rushed down the slope, faster even then he ran when he heard his kittypet food being poured. Be ok. Be ok. Be ok. He made it to the bottom and whirled around the corner. Red hot pain seared his paws. He stumbled back yelping and gasping for breath. He had just walked straight into fire. The pain didn’t stop. He looked down expecting to see himself on fire, but he didn’t. He fell back onto his rump the pain subsided a bit but didn’t stop. He looked towards the inferno that stood between him and his Twoleg. How could he save her like this?

His eyes drifted towards the front door standing inches away. He couldn’t leave but, maybe if some Twoleg or cat heard him they could come to his rescue? He grit his teeth. It’s for her. He got up on his feet with a yelp, and scurried towards his door (the cat door). He stuck his head out. “Help! Help!” He yowled as loud as he could. He just hoped any passerby would be able to hear him over the constant noise.