The Start of the Home Again

Blindly, Melody ran. Not knowing where she was or where she was going, she ran. As fast as she could, she ran. Her legs were aching, lungs burning, heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst. But she couldn’t stop. Was it still chasing her? Or getting closer? So on she ran, until…she fell. Her paw caught on a root and down she went! She lay there, trembling, expecting the worst, when she heard a quiet, kind voice. “Are you all right?” it asked. She thought she must be dreaming. Who was that? “It’s okay. Just catch your breath,” the voice said, when Melody didn’t answer. Slowly her heart slowed, and her breathing calmed. She realized she couldn’t hear anything else, no crashing in the underbrush, nothing. All was quiet. “Wow, you were running fast!” the voice said. “Was something chasing you?” Melody could finally manage an answer. “I…I don’t know. It sounded like something was, so I ran!” “You sure did. I never saw anyone go by me so fast! Well, until you tripped. Is your paw all right?” Melody finally looked up to see the concerned, kind face of a cat looking down at her.