Sunset // Part 3

Instructions

When I woke up, it was still dark. The rain had stopped, and the horizon was beginning to brighten. Everything was soaked, just like the day before. Was it really only yesterday that I had lost my best friend? It felt like years. I stood up. I needed to make a plan. I wasn't giving up on her. Not now. Not ever. I knew that there were other cats on the island I lived on, I just hadn't really gotten to know any of them. When we were kits, Layla and I had washed up on the shore of the island. We had helped each other thrive, not relying on any of the cats nearby. But I knew that it was time to ask for help. Suddenly, rays of light spilled over the landscape. The sun was beautiful. And then I realized: the world would go on. The sun's brightness was a promise. A promise that everything would be ok. Walking through the damp grass, I felt more calm. I was going to find my friend. "Now..." I said out loud to myself, "where am I going to find anyone?" I spent the next two hours going through the forests of my island, looking for any cat besides myself. Finally, around noon, I heard a rustling in the bushes. "Hi there!" I called. "Who are you?" Said a voice coming from the bush. I was surprised. I honestly had not anticipated it actually being a cat, but it was. Who was it, was the question. "Oh! Hi! Um.... I'm Storm. I'm just looking for assistance," I stammered. I felt so awkward. There was a small moment of silence, and then the cat emerged from the bush. He was a tuxedo cat with bright yellow eyes. He looked about my age. I could tell he was surprised. His eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed. "Are you new here?" He asked, "and are you with those two cats that were snooping around here yesterday?" "N-no. That's actually why I need help! You see," I paused for a moment, but since the cat made no attempt to interrupt or ask a question, I continued, "my best friend and I were playing on the beach yesterday, when we saw a boat in the distance. The two cats on the boat came to shore, and my friend and I hid while they put up a net. My friend... she saved me from being caught, and then... they took her..." I tried to continue, but my eyes got teary. "Wait a minute. How long have you lived here? And why haven't I seen you before?" Inquired the tuxedo cat, skeptical of my story. "I've lived here as long as I can remember," I began, "and I usually stay on the shore of the South coast. I don't go inland hardly ever, but I needed help." "Come with me." The tuxedo cat said. He led me through the bushes and to the mountain on our island. I had never been up high on the mountain because of my fear of heights. When we got to the base of it I paused. "What's wrong?" Asked the tuxedo. "Nothing... I just..." The tuxedo stared at me. "You just what?" He asked. "how far up are we going?" I finally finished. "Not very far, just come on!!" He exclaimed. As we ascended, I felt my heart racing in my chest. I was relieved when a small hut came into my view. The tuxedo gestured to me to wait outside, then stepped through the leaves covering the entrance. "I wonder who this cat is." I said out loud to myself. Why didn't he believe me? And what did he want to show me? "Come in!" called the tuxedo abruptly. He held open the leaves that served as a door. Carefully, I entered the hut. An elderly orange tabby stared at me with muted green eyes. "Welcome, young one." She said to me. I was surprised to see a cat with such a presence. "Hello there!" I replied. "Why have you come here?" She asked. Bewildered, I turned towards the tuxedo. He had brought me here! He nodded to me. "Welllll, my friend was captured by the two cats who were looking around on this island, and I need to find her. " "I see... well maybe I can help then. If you saw which way they went, I do have a small boat. Of course, it is very precious to me, and you must promise to bring it back!" She explained gently. "Oh, well of course! Thank you so much!" I felt so excited and grateful. I could already image my best friend and I back together again. "Where is it?" I asked eagerly after a minute. "Down on the West shore. It's small, but I hope it will suffice for your journey. Lawrence can go with you, and you can take some food and water too." "Lawrence?" I asked, glancing inquisitively towards the tuxedo. "Ah, yes, this is him," she patted him gently on the back, "and I apologize; we haven't introduced ourselves! I am Aquila. Are you from here?" "Yes! My name's Storm, and I live on the South shore." I said, nodding my head to the East.