June 16th 2007 9:45 am
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“Follow me,” said the orange tabby, and without a backward glance disappeared into the thickest part of the blackberry bramble.

It seemed this night held even more adventure than I had hoped! I leaped after the tabby, and followed her through the tight tangle of thorns. “Where are we going?” I called to her, as she threaded her way ahead of me.

“A safe place. The night can be dangerous, little one, and there are those who need protecting. You can help us.” As the tabby spoke (or, rather, communicated her thoughts directly to me, the way all cats can do with one another) we came to a section of fence hidden beneath the vines. Cats like to speak in riddles, but still I wondered what the tabby could be talking about. Before I could even form a question, though, the tabby pushed at a loose board with her paw, and slipped through the fence. “Hurry!”

I hurried after the flicker of orange-striped tail. On the other side of the fence, my eyes widened and my tail stood straight up in wonder. We were still inside the blackberry bush, and the brambles concealed this place. “Cool! A secret hideout!” I said, impressed. A big silvery-grey tom was closely conferring with a ragged-eared black tom over a table of maps, while a very plump tortoiseshell wearing a headset peered at a computer monitor.

The tortie looked up from her computer when we entered, and flattened her ears. “You took long enough, Orangina,” she muttered.

But the other two cats politely greeted me, “Well-met by moonlight, little sister,” although their voices were tense.

“Well-met by moonlight, fellow cats,” I replied. I tried to sound calm but my heart was hammering. “Now, please tell me, why do you need my help?”

Orangina’s eyes darkened. “They’re coming tonight to a house nearby. No cat they take ever returns.”

STAY TUNED!!!! I can hardly wait to see what happens!