The cats look around in dismay. The way they came here is full of rocks and fallen branches. Even as they stand there at the cave entrance, a mudslide tumbles past down the steep slope, ripping trees from their scant hold on the cliff and burying the track. It is now only visible in a few places.
Brango, their dedicated guide for the trip, hadn’t taken a party up the track for months. He had no idea it was in such disrepair. Then he found that some older cats on the journey needed more frequent rest stops. It took much longer than he had expected to get this far. Although the rain is easing, it is late in the afternoon. He tells the cats they must shelter in the cave for the night.
The Mousecateers gaze disconsolately from the cave mouth.
Lucinda says, ‘I don’t mind. This is the most exciting adventure I have ever had!’
Nero says, ‘Candy will be worried if you aren’t back on board the ship, Lucinda.’
But Lucinda doesn’t seem worried. ‘It’s a good thing that we brought supplies,’ she says. ‘I’m glad I joined the Mousecateers. We can help the other cats. I have learned how to hunt for food. I researched the fauna and flora on these islands in the ship library, and there is plenty of wild food in the caves, if you look for it.’
Soon, all the cats are busy setting up places to sleep or gathering firewood. Then Lucinda takes the Mousecateers hunting for some food for the party.
The images are generated by AI from the author’s text prompts.
