Annette Cats

Creeping stealthily through the undergrowth Isacc knew that he was slowly closing in. One paw slowly and quietly in front of the other he advanced. The scent that he had been following all morning was getting stronger. He lifted his nose to the sky and sniffed. Up above the wind raged through the tall grasses but Isacc ignored it. His senses were keen. The animal was close, very close. Its thick, cloying, acrid smell, like none he had ever known before had left a trail he had found all too easy to follow. Adrenalin pumped through his veins, his heart beat faster and saliva flooded his mouth. Isacc was ready to make the kill.

Suddenly the wind that had been gusting so hard stopped and everything was instantly still. With shoulders hunched ready to pounce, Isacc froze. Not a limb nor muscle did he stir. His tail was pinned resolutely beneath him, his ears barely flicked and his whiskers were unusually still. The only movement that betrayed his presence were his eyes, excited, emerald green orbs flicking intensely before him watching and waiting. On the edges of the field Isacc had first glimpsed this mouse. Well fattened from the grain harvest it was the biggest he had ever seen . Never before had he attempted to catch a mouse so big and he felt excited by the challenge. It would be the perfect gift to present to his mistress who would not hesitate to shower love and praise upon him and tell him was a clever cat he was.

Isacc’s waiting game suddenly was over. From straight in front came a scratching noise and a rustling and Isacc, bristling with anticipation and not wanting to be seen he tried to make himself as small as he could. First he saw the creatures nose, long and thin, covered with silver whiskers, held high and edging slowly out. Its small beady eyes dark and wary could clearly be seen, a pair of pink ears flicking back and forth. Still Isacc did not move instead waiting for the mouse to come closer. He was surprised at just how big the mouse was. Its brown grey body was stocky and more muscular than any he could remember. He was sure that he could catch it but he was equally sure that the creature would put up a good fight.

Isacc could wait no longer and he pounced. His back legs held impressive power and he was upon the mouse before it knew what was happening. With his long claws sprung out his feet gripped the mouse around the neck. With a half strangled squeak the mouse reacted. With its lightning fast reflexes it was far stronger than Isacc anticipated. Its body bucked from beneath him, his claws lost their grip and it slithered backwards out of his grasp. Isacc was just as fast and before the mouse could get away he jumped on him yet again. This time he tried to sink his claws deeper but yet again the mouse bucked and began to slither away. As it did so Isacc caught it a lightning body blow with his paw and mouse lost its footing rolling over onto its back revealing the soft underside of its belly. The mouse was in danger and knew it. With sharp, yellow teeth, far longer than Isacc had ever seen before, it snapped angrily at his face, hissing and spitting, just missing his nose. Its hot breath was pungent and putrid and Isacc could smell its fear. Its sharp pink claws tried to rip at his neck and its long scaly tail thrashed and thumped the ground in aggression. Such was the ferocity that Isacc sprang back in total surprise. The mouse took advantage and in one smooth movement flipped himself over and landed squarely on its feet. Seeing freedom it tried to run for cover but Isacc was not going to give up so easily. With seconds to spare before the mouse had fled yet again Isacc leapt on its back and firmly held on. Infuriated and afraid the mouse squealed louder and thrashed frantically trying to throw Isacc from its back. Isacc felt its muscles ripple through its shoulders as it tried to get away but Isacc was now ready for its onslaught. He was a strong cat and his claws sank deeper piercing through its skin and digging deep into its flesh. The mouse wriggled harder, thrashing this way and that but Isacc held on. Opening his mouth wide to reveal his fangs Isacc sank his teeth into the mouse’s muscular neck. Thick fur filled his mouth and the warm iron taste of blood filled his mouth as his teeth pierced the skin. Now the mouse was frantic. Its claws ripped at the earth, its eyes rolled wildly and its jaws gnashed violently as it reached out and tried to bite Isacc on the leg. Vital seconds rolled past but Isacc’s hold was too strong. Pushing deeper his teeth penetrated its spine and with a soft crunch it was broken. Instantly the fight left the mouse and its defiant body went limp at his feet. With a shake of his head Isacc released his deathly grip and suspiciously watched as the mouse lay so still. Still not convinced that it was dead he fleetingly nudged it with his paw, watching and waiting. Nothing happened. He nudged it again, harder this time but still it did not move. Reality finally sank in. The mouse was dead and Isacc was victorious.

The praise when it came was glorious indeed. Enshrined in a softly glowing ray of light that streamed through the window the mouse lay dead at his feet. His mistress, all dazzling smiles and loving eyes had floated in on a wave of fine silks and intoxicating perfume to examine his gift. The defeated mouse lay cool and stiff. Its face was set in the frigid snarl of its death throes, yellow teeth bared in a twisted grimace, wild eyes blankly staring. Its scaly tail long and once so vital now lay cold and rigid behind him. After such a courageous battle Isacc felt victorious and sat proudly with his head held high and his chest puffed out. His mistress was pleased indeed. With fingers that were long and soft she caressed him. Repeatedly she stroked his chin and ruffled his ears, showering her love upon him. She told him what a beautiful and clever cat he was and Isacc basked in her affections. Everywhere there was a warm and wonderful glow. A selection of fine foods that made Isacc’s eyes fly wide and his mouth hang open were set out before him, neatly arranged on fine china saucers as a gesture of her appreciation. An exciting array of scents that tormented his taste buds. All he had to do was reach forward and taste them.

The banging of the outside door broke Isacc rudely from his dream. Into the room flooded the biting cold from the rainy day outside and in its wake in walked his mistress. Laying comfortably on his favourite cushion in front of the window Isacc opened one eye and lazily watched as his mistress came towards him. Draped around her shoulder was a long grey fur and his nostrils twitched as her pungent sour scent assaulted his nose. She looked at him accusingly and as she came nearer pointed a long red finger nail directly towards him.
“Have you been there all morning?” she accused, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Get up you cant stay there all day dirtying my cushions and putting cat hairs everywhere. The rain has stopped now, go on out you go.”
Isacc sighed. It was always like this. Rarely did he get a moments peace where he could dream away the hours. Still he did not move and his owner was by now becoming most insistent. He supposed he had better get up and do as she says. He watched her as her face became more contorted, flecks of spittle and fine powdery make up falling from her face. He looked all around him at the fine furniture and the brand new Persian rug at his feet and he grinned. The rain had well and truly stopped. It was time to go hunting.