Cat Shifter's War in New Zealand

As the company marched down the trench, a strange scent hit me. The cat that was sitting on the ledge a few minutes ago had returned. I wanted to yell out, but I didn't want to look like an idiot to the men around me. A cat in the trenches was a bad sign. It was very early in the morning and we hadn't seen any action yet.

The night before we were nearly overrun by German soldiers wearing gas masks. We knew they would be back today, and there was no way we could return fire without getting gassed ourselves. Just then, as if knowing my thoughts, the cat leaped off of its perch and landed on my shoulder. I froze in place as it began to purr and lick my ear. Since the cats eyes were covered by fur, I assumed it couldn't see well in the dark, so I started walking. After a few steps, I realized how ridiculous it was for me to walk when only one of us could see where we were going; I stopped and waited for the cat to jump down. Before I knew what was happening, something heavy smashed into my legs and sent me sprawling to the ground. My head smacked against a rock and everything went black.

When I awoke again, I lay sprawled out on my side with my head turned so that my cheek rested against cold mud. There was silence all around me but for my own ragged breathing. The air smelled different than before; it had an odd tang to it that made me wrinkle my nose in disgust. As soon as I tried to stand up though, pain shot through my head and made me dizzy enough to fall back down again.

There was a faint rustling noise from nearby as if someone were moving about quietly in the dirt; trying not to make any sound at all.

"Who's there?" My voice sounded rough even though I'd only spoken a few words; dryness seemed to have set into my throat since last night's battle.

A low growl answered me from somewhere above and behind me; whatever it was stood near the top of the trench wall just out of sight over my shoulder.

"I won't hurt you." I said with some authority; after all, it wasn't likely that this thing would understand English even if it did speak it. "You're just a little...creature aren't you."

There was another growl this time much closer; whatever this creature was apparently didn't like being called small or 'a little creature'. Suddenly there was a loud thump behind me followed by what sounded almost like a body colliding with earth and stone at high speed...followed by a soft crunching noise as fangs found purchase in flesh and bone. More growls came from overhead but this time they weren't directed at me; whoever or whatever attacked me had seemingly gone after whoever or whatever else had been hiding above us in the trench wall as well! Then there were two loud crashes as two bodies fell from above onto us below along with a cloud of dust that stung my eyes and filled my lungs causing me to cough violently until tears ran down my face from both pain and lack of air!

After what seemed like an eternity, but probably wasn't more than ten minutes or so, things quieted down somewhat above us; there were no more growls or scuffling feet disturbing the layer of dust above us along with the sound of bodies moving about over our heads or moaning from pain or distress from those who survived whatever transpired up above while all of us lay buried beneath it all...waiting patiently to see who would find their way free first!