A box left on the side of an alley way held a few surprises. Wiggling around, climbing on top of one another, crying, and cuddling were the brothers and sisters left here. The box seemed like an obstacle that would not be overcome. At least not until too much of their weight from climbing on one another made all the kittens fall over and out, the box had tilted. Tummies were grumbling and none were old enough to understand what to do or what was happening. No mother to learn from, none of her warmth, or the nutrients she gave. 

Sniffing around, the little one knew there was no food to be found here. She continued to sniff as she walked, but heard her brothers and sisters crying behind her. They didn't want to leave the box, it felt safer, this rough and damp pavement was not suited for them. They wanted to wait for mother. She looked at them, then blinked a few times and looked towards the light coming through the end of the alley. Sniffing the air again she continued to walk.

I'll bring them food back if I find any. If I don't I'm sure by then momma will be here.

The little one continued down the path. The ground wasn't what she was used to. She was used to the smoothness of hardwood floors or tile. She did not know what was going on, all she knew was she was hungry and food was something she always sought after. Even being the smallest she ate more than all her brothers and sisters. Leave it to her to find food.

When she reached the light it was blinding. They had not been out of the box in a few days, most of it they slept, but now the hunger was too much to ignore. She put one paw in front of the other until, STOMP. What was this? So many people? What was this mess? She pranced around between all the legs, her meowing ignored by all the by-passers. She was too small, if any one of these large lengthy creatures stepped on her she would be squashed to death! Her heart raced, she was terrified, how could she find food if she could't avoid these monsters!?

She scampered in between and around, finally finding a small area where no one walked into or out. It was a little nook against the buildings. She huddled up into the corner trying to get herself together.

MOM! MOMMA! 

She curled up, shivering from fright. She wanted to be with all her brothers and sisters, cuddled up with their mom, in the comfy bed she once knew. Why was this happening. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know where to go. She just wanted her mom.

"Oh look! Such a cute little thing. Why are you hiding in this corner?"

She didn't move, she didn't look, she didn't understand or realize there was a creature trying to speak to her. Then suddenly she was being picked up. She lashed out and shook her body trying to break free.

"Alright, alright! I'll put you down! You are a scrawny thing, let me get you a bite to eat."

Feeling her feet back on the ground she curled back up in the corner and pretended this was all a nightmare. This would all be over soon. She'd open her eyes and momma would be right there! Then she heard a clink on the ground. She glanced at it and drew her claws. Yet, all she saw was a bowl, it was like the one her mom ate from, small and round. Was she home!? It was all over! She got up and went over to it knowing her mom would be there eating. Yet, she wasn't, it wasn't food, it was a white liquid. All the creature were still walking briskly by where she hid except for one. He sat there hunched down smiling. Then her senses kicked in. She could smell the liquid. This smelled like food.

FOOD!? Did momma leave this for him to give to me? She must be nearby!

She wanted to go scurrying off to find her mom, but the pain in her stomach stopped her. She would accept this gift from this creature and she began to lap it up.

WAIT, my brothers and sisters! We must feed them too! Please creature bring this to them!

She went to run back to her brothers and sisters, but then she realized if she found her mom then she could feed all of them. She looked left and looked right, but which way? The creature patted her head and she hissed. 

"I do you a favor and this is how you treat me? Heh. Run along now! I can't have you chasing away my guests with your unfriendly gestures!"

The creature stomped his foot at her like the rest of them did. He was going to squash her! She ran to the right and sprinted as fast as she could to look for her mother. The maze of all these beasts made it hard for her to look. The side walkways seemed to have less of these creatures. Yet, they only held gross smelling bags and vile black hairless tail cats, at least that was what she figured they were. Each of these alley ways held nothing different than the one before until she caught wind of a familiar smell. Was it mom?

She went scurrying after the smell and ran as fast as her little paws and legs could go.

MOM! MOMMA! It is me! Please help!

She continued towards the smell until it was so strong she felt she was right on top of her mother. Yet, this was not her mother at all! This beast was black, its fur was scruffy, and its eyes were cold. It bore its teeth at her and its hair raised up.

WHO YOU CALLIN' MOM? YOU HOUSE BRAT!

She made herself as small as she could, her body as close to the ground as possible. This was not mom, why did it smell like mom, this is just a nightmare!

I'm-m-m sor-sorry! Y-y-you just sm-smelled like ma-ma-mah mom!

It swiped at her, but missed, as if on purpose. Was it a warning? What had she done to deserve this!?

I ain't no mom, would never be dumb enough to get pounced on by some horny feral boy. You best learn that too, otherwise you gonna be feedin' more than your mouth and on these streets that's hard enough.

Continuing to cower and not make a move it then suddenly dawned on her. This was another cat and SHE had just tried to help her.

B-b-but I have a lot of mouths to feed. All my brothers and sisters!

The black cat looked at her and sat down to study her over. The thick fur lay flat on her back now and the cold stare softened.

I see now. You aren't some house brat anymore. Them awful humans kicked you and your lot out, bet they didn't kick your mum out though. Like how they kept my sister over me. Guess my attitude is too much to handle.

She didn't understand what she was saying, kicked out? House brat? The attitude part she could see.

You aren't followin' are yah? You're too young to. Course yah are. Old enough that you don't need moms milk now, but too young to know how to live. You belonged to some humans, sounds like your mum had all you and they didn't want yah. So they dropped you off somewhere and left you and your little brothers and sisters to fend for yerselves. I'll let you in on a secret. Give up on trying to help them and just look out for yourself. Otherwise you'll all die quicker.

What was she saying? They would all die? No! Mom would come get them. Wait! She needed to find food! If she didn't find food she could be right on them dying! She began to look around, she sniffed to try and find a scent of something she could bring them.

You're gonna have to learn to look for scraps, youngin'. You smell these disgusting buggers here? You'll have to use your claws to rip em' open. You'll find lots of gross stuff, but sometimes you'll get lucky and find something you can eat. Like so...

The black cat slashed one of the trash bags open and pawed through what was inside. She could barely stand the stench! What was she doing! Then suddenly she pulled out a half used fish. She had seen pictures of it on the cans the humans fed her mom, but never a real one. The black cat looked at her and then back at the fish. She tossed it over and shook her head.

I'll be nice this once. You can have it. Don't expect to be so lucky when you go looking. This could have lasted me a few days, but for you and your brothers and sisters it will be enough to hold you for now.

She stared at the kindness of this cat that was about to kill her. She picked up the fish and went to turn around when suddenly she felt a drop on her. It was wetter than when her mom would clean her, heavier too. Then more and more. This was so cold and her coat was getting heavier with each drop!

Oh dear...hide! Under this dumpster!

The black cat scurried under this giant box. She followed suit unsure what was happening, but she couldn't hide! She needed to get back to her brothers and sisters! The drops were falling so fast and so much. How long would this last? She closed her eyes and clung to the fish with her little paws and mouth.

The rain did not stop until early morning, the two had spent all night waiting and waiting. She even dozed off for a while. Yet, she couldn't wait now that she was awake. With the rain gone she had to get back to her brothers and sisters. She lifted the fish up and crawled out. Thanking the black cat they parted ways and she ran as fast as she could down the sidewalk. The fish was heavy and slowed her. What took her only a couple hours to explore before was now taking multiple hours. She struggled to remember where she left from the box, but a feint scent caught her. She scampered towards it and noticed the box.

Brofers! Sisers!

She tried to cry out to them through carrying the fish. Yet, she heard nothing cry back. Her heart raced. Why were they not responding! She had not left them for more than a day!

She reached the box and there lay her brothers and sisters. They were not crying, they were not cuddling, they were not climbing over each other. They seemed so lifeless...she couldn't be too late! She hadn't been that long! She was fine! Did the food the human gave her really save her from this fate? No! They are all asleep!

WAKE UP! I HAVE FOOD! EAT!

She nudged them with her nose, she pushed the fish towards them. They didn't reply. She kept shoving them, over and over. Their paws flopped down, their bodies moved right back to the position they were in after she nudged them. Except one, he groaned, softly.

Sis-sis?

Her heart leaped! It felt like it was going to come out of her chest. She grabbed him by the neck and pulled him out from the weight of the others. She dragged him to the fish.

EAT! EVEN IF YOU CAN ONLY NIBBLE!

He slowly tried to chew on the fish, but it was too hard for him. She bit down and chewed herself, then put the mush before him. He did better at eating this. She continued to do this over and over. Then laid there, crying, her mother wasn't coming, she lost her family, all but him. She was too late. Where was she to go from here?

[Pt. 1 - To Be Continued...]