Rescue Mission

“Don’t move. Don’t even breathe.” My voice shook as I focused my eyes to the scene in front of me.

“Why? Is she coming?” The voice of my companion hit my ears in a hushed whisper, but further conversation was cut off with a sharp hand gesture.

We looked through the sparse trees to the figure slowly making its way down the grassless ditch heading for the trap we set up. Her movements were cautious, hesitant, and tense. She could sense the stillness in the air. Some- thing was up, but her hunger kept her moving forward.
My heart thrummed in my chest and I breathed softly; it hung in the cold October night air before it disappeared unnoticed by the figure ahead of us.

Silently she stalked closer inspecting the metal contraption housing her goal: food. Her tail flicked in agitation as her small paws tried to pull the tin out of the metal housing to no avail. She was hungry and it showed in her eyes. She was determined, but anxious to enter the cage.
Furrowing my brows in concentration, I slowly began to reposition myself while she was focused on the food. Maybe I could sneak around and scare her into the trap.

I carefully moved and slid my body around trees as I approached closer and closer. I could feel the eyes of my companion on my back like a weight. The question was hanging in the air, but I ignored it and pressed on. I had to try.

SNAP!

With a sharp twist of her head, wide yellow green eyes gazed at my form with fear and alarm. Neither of us moved. Her small form huddled to the side of the cage, calico fur standing on end. I held my ground not moving a muscle, barely allowing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to occur.

Hunger won the battle of wills and warily the feline turned back to the cage conundrum. I stayed frozen in place not allowing anything more to frighten off the animal in front of me. After what seemed like eternity, the small kitten cautiously sniffed the entrance, her eyes glancing at me in trepidation.

All breathing stopped as she made the first step into the cage. Her body was tense, ears erect, eyes wide, whiskers flared with her tail straight as an arrow; she was completely ready to bolt at the first sign of danger. The food was so close, her paws even closer to the trigger.

CLANG!

The movements within the cage were adrenalized and frantic. The desperate calls and howls from the cage were drenched in fright. I rushed forward and draped a towel over the cage to prevent bodily damage. Kitten rescue mission: Success.