Guardian Cats and the Lost Books of Alexandria

Chapter 29: David and Goliath

Scuffling noises from the ground woke Marco from his nap. Through the tree branches he saw three large animals scavenging plastic kid’s toys in the yard next door.

“Nothing here worth eatin’, boss,” said one.

He recognized them immediately, but he was in no mood for another fight with raccoons. Besides, they weren’t hurting anything and they’d never notice him. He curled up to resume his nap, when all of the sudden, there was Polo in the middle of the raccoons—nabbed right out of a tire swing and thrown to the ground.

He saw Polo rise from the dust and face his assailant, like David defying Goliath.

But Marco knew Polo wouldn’t stand a chance in a battle with these thugs and skittered rapidly down the tree and through the fence hole.

“What the….?” Sting said, shocked.

Marco was quickly flanked by Sting’s two cohorts. They peered at him through their black masks.

“Hey, isn’t he one of those dead cats, Sting?”

“You’re about to be a dead raccoon,” countered Marco. “Let him go!”

Polo was squirming in Sting’s grip.

“Sure thing, buddy. Tank. Crimmany. You know what to do.” Sting tossed Polo aside.

All three raccoons launched themselves at Marco. One bit his tail and Marco whirled around, smacking him with claws extended. Next thing he knew though, he was at the bottom of the heap. He clawed furiously, tasting dirt and blood. Then… pain pierced his body, first his ear, then his nose. He could barely breathe.

His saving grace came from pure instinct, a cat trick he didn’t know he had until he needed it. He jerked his body like a corkscrew, twisting his bones inside his loose skin. Free from the vicious bullies, he darted up the tree and watched the raccoons claw at each other until they discovered he had disappeared.

The raccoons, dazed and confused, rummaged around for a minute.

“I hate cats,” said Sting. “They’re freakin' me out. Let’s scram.”

“Hey Sting, you still want this?” asked Crimmany, holding up Polo’s lighter.

“Sure, you never know. It might come in handy.”