"Don't do this, Stone!" a slender creamy light brown cat with a white chest and snout cried, pulling her tiny kitten who looked exactly like her closer to her with her tail. The other cat, a gray one, had his teeth bared in a snarl. "Caramel, it's every cat for themselves!" he hissed. "I didn't know you were collecting food in there. I'm sorry, I need to feed my kitten, I was desperate for food. Please," she pleaded. Stones muscles relaxed. "I suppose you mean no threat to me, but get out of here!" he snarled. With that, Caramel picked her kitten up by the scruff and scurried off with it. She ran and ran through the cold rain that poured onto her light pelt. Her light brown eyes were dim with sadness. She ran until there were no buildings or other huge, scary creatures around her. She ran all the way to the forest.
The tall trees cast long, dark shadows across the forest. When Caramel could no longer see the city, she settled down with her kitten and fell asleep. In the morning, the sun shone brightly through the trees. Caramel got up and picked her young up by the scruff. She went farther into the forest in search of food. The area ahead of her looked warm and welcoming. Caramel soon caught the scent of mouse. Her mouth watered so much at the thought of eating her first taste of food for days. Her poor kitten would be delighted, too. She was so busy tracking down the mouse that she didn't pick up the other scent hanging in the air. Soon she found the mouse. She set down her young and raised her hackles. As she pounced, she bumped into a tortoiseshell cat about her size. The mouse scurried away from both of them. Caramel ran back to her kitten and curled her tail around it protectively, her eyes pleading. "I'm sorry, I didn't smell you. I've gone without food for days, I was distracted by the mouse," Caramel mewed. "It's fine, I didn't smell you, either. I'm from the city, what about you?" the tortoiseshell asked. Caramel relaxed and uncurled her tail from her kitten. "I am, too," Caramel whispered, as if one of the horrible cats who would have fought for food in the city were listening, waiting to pounce. The tortoiseshell retreated a few steps and picked up three small kittens the same size as Caramel's and placed it in front of her. She began grooming their fur. "It's hard raising kittens in the city," the tortoiseshell murmered between licks. "That's why I came here." Caramel nodded agreement. "Well, I'd better be off. My kitten and I won't last long if we don't go find some food," Caramel said, picking her kitten up by the scruff. The tortoiseshell looked up and stopped grooming her young. "Will you watch my kittens really quick? I'll be back as soon as I can," she asked. Caramel pulled her kit and the tortoiseshell's closer to her with her tail and nodded. "Thanks. I'm Flower, call me if there's trouble," she said. "I will, don't worry. My name is Caramel," Caramel replied assuringly. With that, Flower was off. After a while, she came back with a few mice and a vole in her mouth. She dropped it between herself and Caramel. "Take as much as you'd like to eat," Flower said. "And feel free to stay. I've been here for a few days, and we can take turns watching the kittens while we hunt." Taking a mouse from the food, Caramel raised her head and looked at Flower. "Do you really mean that?" she asked. Flower held her gaze. "Of course. It'll be nice having company." Caramel nodded her thanks and gobbled down the mouse. Then she let her kitten suckle from her and fell asleep. Flower did the same, and for once Caramel felt as if she wouldn't have to run or hide from other cats who would do anything to keep themselves alive.