To start this off, I just want to say I'm not really that bad of a kid. I just get...distracted. That's always been my fatal flaw. Sure, I've gotten myself stuck multiple times before, but I normally get myself out of those situations.
However, today was not one of those lucky days.
If I'm being honest, it was my fault that I was stuck in this situation. But, I doubt my parents would wholeheartedly agree. The screen door was wide open, I decided to run into the backyard, and my sisters refused to follow me into the dewy grass.
I had seen my Uncle Alexander leave the door ajar and I guess I shouldn't have taken advantage of the opportunity.
Maybe Raven and Anthy were right to stay behind.
I looked down in exasperation to see my limbs tangled in some weird, gossamer web of strings. A second ago I'd been bounding across the lawn, rolling around in the fresh grass. A moment later: ensnared. Honestly I wondered why I decided to escape in the first place. The patio was adequate enough, why did I have to be so brave?
I could see my sisters gawking at me from behind the patio screen.
"Dusty, you ok?" called Raven, already panicking. Her whole body was still and her eyes wide.
"Just...stuck," I replied, trying to roll onto my belly.
I grunted, wiggling my limbs around, straining my face against the web. I simply couldn't get free. My toes were sticking out of the small gaps in the snare, but other than that I couldn't stretch it big enough to escape.
I sighed. What have you gotten yourself into, Dusty?
As I tried gnawing at the unknown string, I noticed a large figure hovering over me. I tried to scramble to my feet, but I tripped over the web, which…. seemed to be getting smaller?? The panic washed over me immediately, and the figure came closer.
"Sis, get out of here!" Raven screeched, but I was too shocked to move.
"What's this I've caught?" A rail of a woman, bathed in black, peered at me curiously. Her fingers were spiny, like porcupine quills, and they were reaching out towards my neck.
I shivered as the sticks poked my nape as I cowered.
"A kitten? Mmmm but almost a cat."
The insult! I don't make it a habit to hiss at humans, but this was just rude!
Hmph, I am almost 3! How dare you call me a kitten!
Chucking, the woman seemed amused. She pat my head and I wasn't even able to scratch her in this pitiful state. Even more humiliating.
I glanced over to the house and Raven and Anthy we're gone. Figures. They both ran at the first sign of trouble all the time.
Way to go, leaving me by myself!
But then again, maybe it was my bold streak that got me into this situation in the first place.
"In any case, you'll do. This net doesn't catch normal creatures, dear."
What?
Not normal! Um, what? This was not happening. This was like those shows my parents were into. I'm just a cat.
She picked up the net I was ensnared in, and dangled me in front of her face.
"Somebody help me!" I yowled, helplessly wading my paws in the air. "Anyone!"
"It was the weirdest thing…" I could hear Renny in the distance, musing aloud. "Raven and Anthy both jumped onto me, screeching!"
So they went to get help! Oh I'll never doubt my sister's AGAIN.
"No one will help you, dear, humans can't see you once you're caught in this web."
"What are you doing to Dusty!?"
The woman balked. In front of her was my Renny. They were welding a broom and scowling deeply.
"Let. Her. Go."
"Well look at that…" She looked between Renny and I, smiling. "Now this makes much more sense."
Renny wasn't one for patience. They lunged at the woman and I, aiming for the woman's head.
"Sorry, child, but I'll be taking your cat here."
She flicked Renny on the forehead with one of her claws, and it sent them flying backwards. They stumbled, and fell backwards into the grass, unconscious.
"No!!" I've never screeched so loudly in my life.
"As for us, we'll be departing. Say goodbye, child."
"Let me go! Renny!"
I couldn't help but reach towards their unconscious body, but I knew it was useless. "...Renny."
And then everything slid sideways and melted into strange, twisting shapes.
It would be the last time I would see home for a long while.
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