Through the Cat Flap

A cool drift smelled of crisp fallen leaves, leaking right under the heavy front door. Too much indoor lurking—time for outside! I marched straight toward the little plastic flap at the bottom. *Heh-heh...* No slowing down. I gave a fierce shove with my snout and tumbled right through—*click-clack, thud!* Cool, crisp air hit my face instantly. I sat upright on the rough stone of the porch, surrounded by dry red oak leaves. A tiny gust nudged a curled leaf across my foot, and I swiped at it with a raspy chuckle, watching the world stretch wide.