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Chapter Seven
"We need some directions," said Felix.  They had been wandering around for hours to no avail.
"We do not need directions!" snapped Mel.
"Do you know where we're going?"
"Well....no...but I'll figure it out."
Felix sighed.  He knew Mel was too stubborn to give in.  They walked for a little while, until they heard a human shout, and a loud barking.  A huge dog came barreling around the corner after him.  They ran down the street, but it was obvious that the dog was quicker.  Felix noticed a gap in a fence large enough for them to get in through, but not the dog.
"In here!" he said. Mel was about to object, but Felix pulled her in.  There was a softpad watching them wide-eyed.
"Who thinks they can jus' stroll into my land?" it said.  It's voice was strange, like a consistent yowl.  Felix had seen these cats before.  They were called 'Siamese'.
"I'm Felix, and this is Mel," Felix replied. He heard Mel grumble something under her breath.
"I'm Rex. Whatta ya doin' in my territory?"  Obviously this cat was trying to sound tough.
"We were getting away from a dog."
"Well, you better get out, before I claw off your ears."
"Before we go," said Felix, seizing the opportunity to ask for directions, "would you happen to know where someone named 'Loon' lives?"
"Why should ai tell ya?" he said cheekily.  Mel had apparently had enough.  She leaped on top of him, pinning him to the brick wall of his house and digging her claws into his fur.
"Look, if you don't tell him what we want to know, then so help me I will rip your eyes out and shove them down your throat!" she growled.
"F-Fine!  L-Look, I didn't mean anything by it, I'm declawed!  Just don't tell anybody!" Rex gave them the directions to Loon's street.  Mel left without saying much more.
"Thanks!" said Felix nervously before following his companion.
"That's the issue with you softpads, you can't get anything out of anyone by asking politely," said Mel.
"Is courtesy such a crazy thing?" said Felix, whiskers twitching.
"On these streets it is."
They didn't say much after that, just walking side-by-side, wondering just what was so bad about the other way of life.
"Almost there."
Some time later they were perched on a tree, growing in a small patch of dirt which the humans left when building this road for some reason.  The air stank and he could hear people shouting.  Pigeons hopped around everywhere, and Mel had noted what a delicious meal they would make.
A softpad had told them where Loon's neighborhood was.  Felix watched the cars rushing by on the street.  Mel said they'd have to cross, but he was still searching for ways around it.
"Come on, Kitty, don't chicken out on me now," Mel was saying, "Loon is very close, I can feel it!"
"I just...don't want to take unnecessary risks, is all."
Mel rolled her eyes.  "Just follow my lead."
Suddenly, the cars stopped.  Felix noticed a group of humans walk past the cars on an area painted yellow.  Mel jumped down and gestured for Felix to follow.  He took a leap and hit the ground hard, landing beside her.
Mel stepped on the yellow section, and the cars remained halted.  He noted that she stayed a careful distance from the humans. Soon, she was across and Felix was almost.  A vehicle right beside him moved forward several inches.  He hesitated, and following the one car's lead all the vehicles charged forward.
"This is it. I'm done for. And I've failed Yuke..." Felix thought.
But then Felix felt teeth grasping the scruff of his neck as if he were a kitten, hauling him to safety.
"Can't have you becoming roadkill before we even find out where this pound place is!" Mel chuckled.  They headed deeper into the city, and Mel, like she promised, caught them a couple of the stupid grey birds.
"See, this is what we tough cats eat," said Mel proudly.  "I bet you've never eaten anything so tasty."
Felix remembered eating bird with Yuke.  "I've had it before."
After they had finished their meal, they began looking for Loon.  They were in the right area, but there were several houses.  Before they could start searching, they heard a familiar voice.
"So, we meet again."
Scratch and his gang approached them from the shadows.  This time, they were really cornered, and outnumbered.  But suddenly a door opened, and a human came out and screeched at them.  Lenny hared off, and Scratch cursed under his breath before following him.  Malcolm hesitated.  He turned to them.
"This isn't over, Mel," he hissed, before dashing off.  Felix was about to ask if they knew each other, but Mel said, "I think I saw Loon."  They instantly started planning how they would talk to him, Felix forgetting all about the quick exchange.