The Forest Behind the Stars. Chapter One, Part one.

Instructions

Chapter 1 A day in the life Every day in Maple's life was mostly the same. Nothing got exciting at all. But of course she can’t say that out loud. Dixie might hear you. And who is Dixie you might ask? The next door neighbor's cat. Super nosy, loud, thinks everything is exciting. Maple sometimes goes outside for peace and quiet, but all she gets is loud. Here, let me show you... * * * Maple stretched her legs under the morning sun as she laid in the grass. She rolled in the grass for a minute, before sniffing the air for trouble. And trouble was coming right for her. Dixie came walking over, head over tail. Dixie leaped onto the fence Maple was by, and looked at the sunrise. “Beautiful morning huh? You’re never out this early. Do you like the early morning birds? The new cat next door says they are too loud." Dixie said as she peered into the woods. The trees swayed and tossed in the wind, and scents of the forest drifted by. “Would you ever go into the woods, Dixie? It looks pretty from here. I smell the mice in my dreams. Can’t you?” Maple asked as she faked a smile, and she lept down the fence onto the side opposite from her twoleg nest. “If I went in, I would catch all the mice in the world! And eat them that very same day! But of course, it's too dangerous out there.” Dixie replied and jumped down next to her. Maple nudged away. “Even if it’s dangerous, I’ll protect you, Maple!” a new voice cried out. Maple turned only to see the worst thing possible. The other neighbor. This was Snowball, a large white tom who thinks he has a right to everything. A real brat, but also a fighter. He was decently strong and won most battles in the neighborhood. Most, that is. He never beats Maple. Most cats think it's because he likes her. Maple, tired of him, made up an excuse to leave. “I’m going to eat breakfast, goodbye Dixie, bye Snowball.” she said as she leaped onto the fence, darted through the cat flap and into the twoleg nest. The twoleg walked over and petted her, then locked the cat flap so other cats couldn't get in. She rubbed against his leg, and thought to herself, As much as I love my twoleg, I still long to enter the woods. She followed him over to the cold food dispenser, and she meowed. Her twoleg opened the cold food dispenser and he pulled out her cat food. Maple was a lucky little cat, as she got wet food with chicken, beef, and cheese, while most other house cats just got kibble. He set down her food and she dug into the food she loved. It didn’t smell as good as mice, but it sure tasted just as good! *Okay, maybe mice are a little bit better, but I haven’t had mice before.* She thought. She finished and licked her lips. *I should stay in for a bit. What if Snowball is still there? Never mind, I’ll just leave using the window. There’s a good tree I can climb into.* And Maple set off to the window. She padded up the hardwood stairs and to the bathroom, and presto, the window was open. Maple lived in a small cottage, and the house didn’t have a stick spinner to get rid of the smell, so instead they opened the window. Maple climbed out and onto the branch and found a small nest. It was spring, chick season, so it would be weird for there to be no chicks. And there were chicks in that nest. Maple sniffed, and to her luck, no mother nearby. Maple crept over and growled. Four chicks. Perfect. She stalked a little closer, and snatched the first chick, then took it back down to her small hole under the house, where she ate it peacefully. Or so she thought. She heard an angry bird just outside. Maple grabbed a feather that crept out her licking lips. Just then the bird saw her, it came crashing down towards her, screaming at the top of its little lungs. This is kinda good though. If I can get close enough, maybe I could eat that bird too.* The bird thrashed by her, trying to hit her with its little claws. Well, talons are more like it. Maple reached up and swatted at the bird, but kept missing. This bird was fast, but not fast enough. *I’ll catch you. Pesky thing. Soon enough you’ll be mine.* She leapt up a little higher, and snatched the bird right out of the air, feathers scattering the sky. Maple enjoyed that tasty meal, but her joy never lasted long. Snowball was creeping up behind her. Her ears twitched, hoping for it to look normal. Snowball leapt up and Maple darted out of the way. She turned around and scowled. “The heck! Warnings will you!” Maple yelled. “I came here for peace and quiet but you have to always ruin it!” She added. She ran over to the tree and unsheathed her claws so she could climb. Snowball came running over, and Maple smacked him. She jumped up the tree, the bark hurting her paws. And her little toe beans too. She clawed her way back up, and darted through the window. !!continued in notes and credites!!