I trotted along the trail. It smelled of fresh pine and wood chips and occasional wafts of smoke from campfires and grills. I heard the scampering of mice. I heard a deer off in the woods over to my left. I heard cars rumbling by on the road.
I wasn't sure what my goal was that evening. I thought about walking over to the playground but there was another game I was interested in. I wasn't sure I'd be able to play tonight because it requires other players. It was always so random whether I got to do this or not. I followed the trail a few hundred yards towards what was always a good spot. In a few minutes I could hear the footsteps of what sounded like two people coming up the trail. Perfect.
I crouched low, quietly wedging my body in to a thicket of bushes. Listening quietly, I sat there and waited. I was poised and ready. I sensed a vibration in my limbs, the pounding of my heart deep inside of my chest, and I felt adrenaline coursing through my body as I waited for my prey. Each step closer I felt my senses becoming sharper: I could hear better, I could see better, I could smell their every move and I could taste them under my breath. Waiting is so intense, trying to figure out the timing and the element of surprise so you can get the drop. It's amazing how exciting this can be. Trying to stay absolutely still and giving the prey absolutely no clue that you're waiting for them. I would guarantee you that these two people coming up the trail had no idea that I was there.
They were getting so close I could hear not just the footsteps but I also could hear the brush of the fabric and the creaking of the leather shoes and the metallic clink of keys in a pocket. I could hear her hair blowing gently as she walked and I could smell her perfume. They were talking back and forth in hushed tones. This was perfect, they had no defenses up and no idea that I was laying in wait for them.
I timed it perfectly - springing out of the bush with all the energy I could muster. The woman screamed and jumped, startling the man who caught her as she stumbled backwards.
I thought I had them for a moment but suddenly they were making their way back down the trail. I pretended to be disinterested for a minute until they got far enough away to feel comfortable that they were safe. With a spring and a mighty leap I ran until I got right on them, I even tapped one on the leg. Shooting past, I turned around to look to see what effect my attack had on the prey. They kept walking!
Suddenly I realized my prey was escaping. They were reaching the edge of my territory or at least the part where I couldn't go any further without feeling unsafe. I don't like to get too far away from home because it sometimes feels dangerous out here.
A quick dash to get in front and I turned to block the path. I was getting ready to make my move when one of them reached over and rubbed the top of my head and said, "Hey Kitty what are you doing out here this time of night?"
I decided to play along, sooner or later they would lose focus and then I would pounce.
They scratched my ears and petted me and played with my harness and tags, holding a brief conversation about where I lived and then they headed off down the trail. That is when I realized I was going to let them go. I technically had captured them but I had no interest in another meal tonight.
I retraced my steps back to the house, pushed though the little swinging door, lapped up some water from the bowl, then curled up in my bed. There will be another hunt, another opportunity for prey for me to pounce on. Because the ferocious feline would be back.
Tomorrow.
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