Chapter 1: Erie Night

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Louisiana crept down the ally, shadows folded in front of her  “Preston!” she called softly.

 Just a moment before she had been inside her kitchen feeding her friend’s cat. She had promised to take care of the cat for her friend, Susan. By accident, she had left the back door that led to the ally open and while she was pouring some food into his bowl the cat got out.

So now she had walked father down the ally than she had wanted to, every thing became less and less familiar.

 “Preston!” she called again. Preston was a rusty red colored tabby with beautiful deep green eyes and an extremely mischievous personality, which is why her mom barely let her take care of him afraid he would destroy the furniture or something. But, now what would she say to her mom or even to her friend if she never found the cat?  Louisiana didn’t want to think about it. She had to find that cat!

         Down the ally farther and farther from home the sun was almost gone. Purple-pink rays cascaded through the sky, the moon a small crescent, and the first brave stars slowly appeared. “Preston! Come here!” she pleaded a little louder. Hearing a faint sound she whipped around and looked into the gleaming, amber eyes of a cat. They weren’t Preston’s.

         Timidly she whispered, “ whose there?” Oh, how silly I am.  Like an ally cat can tell me that. Focus Louisiana, focus! She scoffed at herself. Leaving that stray cat behind her she crept on.

         To the right the ally made a turn and she spotted the rusty fur of her feline friend, Preston. She had almost called his name when she decided otherwise. He must be scared so I better not call out and scare him more and make him run farther away! I could  try creeping up and grabbing him, l might get more scratches than I ever wanted in my life! But what else can I do?

         Slowly, not making a sound sneaked up to the cat and got a good hold of his scruff, and much to her satisfaction he let out a startled yowl. ”Gotcha!” she said triumphantly then changed her tone “ Oh, Preston, you had me worried sick!” 

         Wrapping her arms firmly around the cat she more calmly this time walked back up the ally. The fences seemed almost towering high in the dim, dim light. Finally she had reached a point were she could just see the end of her drive way but just as she thought she was safe she loud barking right behind her. A dog was bounding towards her. She shrieked as loud and high-pitched as she could and raced forward, almost dropping Preston, only looking back to see that the dog was being held up by long links of a rusty chain. “Whew” she sighed. But not trusting the chains to hold the stalky mutt much longer she ran down the ally towards her house. Bursting into the house she panted, “I’m safe, I’m safe”. Walking quietly down the hall, she put Preston in his comfy kennel-bed and trudged up the stairs. “What a night!” she sighed, before flopping down on her bed, exhausted. It was very late.

to be continued...

written by: German Spy