Guardian Cats and the Lost Books of Alexandria

Chapter 48: Dead cats

“What’s this?” cried Tank. “A dead cat?”

“One dead cat!” announced Crimmany, circling the body, like he was taking credit for his demise.

Tweezer and Caffeina came over to view the lifeless body. They stood there in the rain, sniffed and nudged him with their noses and looked at each other. What a strange thing that Bait had come to fall out of the sky with the rain, thought Tweezer.

“Aw. Poor kitty. Looks like you lost one of your pals,” said Sting. “But save your crying for later. After you’re all dead.”

“That’s a good one, Sting!” said Crimmany.

Sting was ignoring Crimmany and staring hard at Tweezer instead. Tweezer raised to his full height and more than met his look. “I believe we were in the middle of a fight,” he said.

“Looks like you’ve lost more fights than you’ve won,” Sting replied. “Just like you’re going to lose this one.”

“You’ve haven’t seen my opponents when I’m done with them.”

“Fightin' kitties doesn’t count.”

“I’ve wrestled with you before.”

“Just warm up exercises.”

The sound of sirens was in the background, growing louder. Tweezer tuned it out, so he could keep all his senses for the battle. He dared not look away from Sting, but he was aware of Tank and Crimmany. They flanked their leader on both sides. Then there was the two other raccoons hovering around the edges.

Tweezer moved to one side to keep his opponent slightly off balance.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” goaded Tank.

Caffeina, however, could not keep hers. “What’s the matter with you Sting? Why do you enjoy making our lives miserable? We are peace-loving cats, but I’ll tell you right now, you will be sorry you got on our bad side!”

“You cats are such comedians. I’m dying from laughter,” said Crimmany.

The two combatants continued to size each other up, both on their haunches, thrusting paws in threatening gestures, each provoking the other into making the first move.

Tweezer had his eyes locked onto Sting, but he knew what was going on around him, as though he had eyes in the back of his head.

Caffeina saw the movement at the same time Tweezer did. “Tweezer! Watch out!” One of the raccoons at his back lurched forward to attack him.

Tweezer lunged forward to avoid the attack. At the same time, he shoved Crimmany into Sting’s body with a force that took both raccoons down.

Tweezer whirled around to face the other raccoons, while Pudge, Skitzo and Caffeina had already tackled the other three.

But Tweezer soon realized they weren’t home free. Raccoons came creeping out of the bushes, their eyes on fire. They swallowed up the very air around them and dove into the melee.

It was a noisy, riotous brawl and the cats were completely engulfed by their attackers, the odds totally against them.

No one saw Bait get up from his fall and slink away.