Sycamore Apartments

Arthur had read on the side of the apartment complex gates, the letters formed from a variety of rocks lined together in an attractive script. He drove past the steel gates with a sense of familiarity as he had been here a couple of times. The first visit was to the leasing office, inquiring about available spots as well as a tour through the model apartments with different floor plans. The second time was to sign the necessary papers and pay the down payment for the first 3 months. Some might think that he should have given it more thought, but Arthur simply loved the place. Instead of the usual tall building with apartments on top of another, this one was different as it was a wide single story building that was divided to different apartments placed side by side. Each one had a short walkway that lead to their own patios where you will find the front door. Surrounding the apartments were grass, flowers, and bushes that were well maintained and the trees trimmed just enough for shade.

The sights of greenery played a big factor as to why Arthur wanted this so badly. In his last apartment the only color he seemed see outside were gray, blue, and more gray. All around him were buildings, then there was the sky, and then followed by more buildings, thus the gray-blue-gray. He had attempted to keep potted plants in his balcony on the 5th floor but they all died from strong winds and air pollution despite him tending to it as best as he could. It had saddened Arthur that living things such as plants failed to thrive in the harsh environment. He himself was like a plant, he needed the right environment, nutrients and some fresh air to be able to function properly. The city's noisy streets, poor food choices, and air pollution just weren't helping his state of mind and body, and so he decided to move lest he start dying as well.

Arthur's thoughts were interrupted by a soft meow coming from the passenger seat on his right. He was greeted by the sight of his pet cat and companion Crumpet eagerly taking in the sight of his new home. On the reflection he could see the feline's pupils wide in excitement and awe, and then it turned to him as if asking where they were, almost begging they stop the vehicle so he could touch the green grass for himself. Arthur couldn't help but smile and scratched the back of the Scottish Fold's ears earning him a loud purr.

"This is our new home." Crumpet meowed really loud both in cheer and in agreement.

Arthur made a right turn at Kensington Street and parked his car at the spot that had '333 – Reserved' painted on it. The parking arrangement had come with his new apartment that was conveniently in front of it. Arthur was glad since now he had a decent safe space to leave his car in and not have to worry about it being stolen at night. Just another reason to add why he was so eager to move in. A few moments later, the U-Haul truck he rented parked right beside him. Arthur then scooped Crumpet in his arms and got out of the car.

"Meow…" Crumpet jumped down from Arthur's arms onto the cement pavement. He looked at Arthur asking permission to explore his new surroundings on his own. Arthur was hesitant letting Crumpet wander by himself but as the cat started rubbing its head on his pant leg, he couldn't resist.

Arthur patted Crumpet's head worriedly and said, "Alright, but don't go too far and don't take too long."

"Meow." The cat replied and went on its way.

Arthur looked at his cat as it curiously put its paw on the grass. He owed Crumpet this as well, being all alone in his old apartment during Arthur was at work, he felt like he had caged the cat and deprived it of its animal instincts. Crumpet is a smart cat. He'll be fine. Arthur thought before he approached the movers and started giving out instructions.

Crumpet had never seen so much green in all his life, everywhere he looked there were plants, rocks, insects, and trees. Oh how excited he was to try climbing one and eventually find a good spot for napping. But before anything else he had to check the whole perimeter, maybe establish a territory, sniff out possible enemies, and meet fellow pets. So far no one had marked any plant near his owner's new apartment and so he moved on.

As he was about to reach their neighbor's walkway, he immediately smelled it and it was strong. There were urine markings and it was everywhere, from the potted plants outside the patio, a couple of trees up ahead, a worn out tennis ball on the dirt, etc. Crumpet tried to interpret some of the messages from the markings, anxious whether this would be a friend or foe.

"Hi! Let's play! I'm friendly!", "This is my home, no peeing and pooping," "I want to play but Alfred is busy," "This is my special napping spot." "I ate too much." "Alfred is busy again, I'm lonely." "I take walks in mornings and nap in the afternoon." These were a few of the messages left behind, some new and some old. Crumpet looked up, judging the by sun it was about noon. He then looked around, according to the messages his neighbor cat would be back soon from his morning stroll.

Without further ado, Crumpet went to work and started making urine markings of his own. His neighbor cat seemed friendly but he would never really know until he met him. In case things come to worst and they don't get along, at least he had established his territory ahead of time and the other cat can't do anything about it.

His first one was on the dirt near his apartment's patio, leaving a message of "I'm new here and from this point on is my territory." He continued to do these markings in a rectangular fashion that surrounded his apartment. He then went to the other side, glad that their place was on the corner, meaning more room for him. When he was finished marking things on the ground, he went up on the trees, trying out each one of them and finding a comfortable spot.

Meanwhile, Arthur looked at his cat with curiosity and amusement. He had read that cats did urine markings but this was his first time seeing it actually done. Their old apartment wasn't exactly the type of place for it, with only concrete hallways and being on the 5th floor at that. And so when Crumpet peed a little here and there, he just let him be.

They were already halfway finished with unloading the furniture, and it looked like they would finish everything before sundown. Hopefully, all the assembling, placing the couches and tables at the right place, and bringing of the boxes inside will be finished before afternoon tea. Arthur could use a little relaxation before he started unpacking all their stuff until evening. After all he was on his own after the movers left, it would probably take him another day get everything clean and settled in.

When he saw one of the movers bring out a box labeled 'tea sets', he hurriedly helped the man, careful not to break anything inside. They maneuvered the box to fit the front door, and that's when they heard it.

"MEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOWWW!" There on the neighbor's sidewalk was a very large plump cat, pupils dilated and tail twitching in excitement.

"Oh dear...This can't be good."

A/N: Hello! Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it. Reviews are loved. Then I'll know if I should continue this or not.