Catboy - Eric Walters [54]
“It’s going to be okay, you’re going to be fine,” I said. “Just settle down and you’ll be out in seconds.”
I put the cage down beside a hole and fumbled with the latch. When I popped open the cage, the cat didn’t seem to notice. It just sat there, not moving, not leaving. I didn’t have time to wait. I raced back to the van as Simon and Doris and my mother put down their cages.
Dr. Reynolds had pulled a dozen cages out of the van onto the ground. I grabbed another cage, Sherpa’s, and raced back to the new colony site. Simon was running toward the van, and I passed my mother and Doris, who were carrying an empty cage between them. Somebody had gotten out.
I kept moving. Sherpa hissed and snarled as I trudged forward.
“Give me a break!” I yelled at the cat.
I put the cage down and opened the door. Sherpa bounded toward a cement block and disappeared. I grabbed the empty cage and ran back to the van, passing the others running in the opposite direction. By the time I reached the vehicle, almost all the cages had been taken out and placed on the ground.
I had dropped my empty cage and went to grab another when I noticed we weren’t alone. A car slowed down and pulled over.
“It’s the guys!” I yelled.
Almost before the words were out of my mouth, the car doors opened and everybody jumped out! Without waiting for instructions, they grabbed cages and headed toward the new colony site.
“Sorry we weren’t here earlier!” Devon exclaimed as they all ran toward us.
“Just glad you’re here now!” Dr. Reynolds called out, and Devon dashed off.
I was grateful for the extra help. Now there were ten of us moving the cats toward freedom.
“Take this one,” Dr. Reynolds said to me. He pulled the blanket off the cage, revealing Miss Mittens and her kittens.
“Sure, of course,” I said.
“Then you come back for Hunter,” Dr. Reynolds said, pointing to Hunter’s cage.
Everything had been happening so fast I hadn’t even thought about Hunter, but I did want to be the one to release him.
“Thanks!”
Dr. Reynolds grabbed a cage, and I picked up Miss Mittens. I tried to be gentle. The kittens were tucked underneath her, only partially visible. They were nursing. She looked scared, but she stayed down and allowed the kittens to continue to nurse.
“It’s going to be okay,” I said to her. “You’ll have to carry the kittens out, but as soon as I put you down I’ll go back and get Hunter. He’ll help you.”
At the release site there was a whole row of cages, some empty and some with cats cringing inside, too scared or confused to leave. I placed Miss Mittens’s cage near the center and popped open her door. She didn’t move.
“Here you go, Miss Mittens. You take care of those kittens,” I said.
I picked up an empty cage and started back to the van. It was so much easier carrying an empty cage. I dropped the cage and went over to Hunter’s.
He was standing, watching what was going on. He looked up at me and let out a meow, like he was asking, Where have you been and what are you waiting for?
“Sorry, I guess I should have gotten you first,” I apologized. “You’re the leader now, and I should have let you lead.”
I carried him back to Miss Mittens and placed his cage right beside hers. Even though her cage was open, she hadn’t left. She was still inside, nursing her kittens.
I went to open Hunter’s cage and hesitated. I was going to come back and visit, but would he be here? Would I be able to find him? Was this the last time I was going to see him? The other cats had either remained in their cages or raced away like their tails were on fire. I didn’t think Hunter was going to do either of those.
“Goodbye, Hunter,” I said. “I’ll see you again, but it won’t be the same. You take care of yourself, and Miss Mittens and her kittens, your kittens. I’m going to miss you.”
I opened up his cage. He walked