Cat escaped

Question
I've had a cat for about 8 years now. She was an outdoor cat that ran away from her home a few miles away, and had been living on her own for a couple of years -- according to what the previous owner said. She thought she was killed or something since she had been gone for so long and when I called the number on her tag, she told me to keep her since she had apparently left her house for a reason (the lady had tons of cats that she just let keep breeding).

I took her in and made her into an indoor/outdoor cat until we moved to Michigan from GA 5 years ago -- then I made her strictly an indoor cat.  We moved back to GA last year and a few weeks ago when I opened up the windows, she got a wif of the outdoors and started acting differently. She started acting more wild, for lack of a better word, and tried to sneak out the door a few times.  Well, yesterday she succeeded.

She's been gone since @ 5:00 P.M yesterday. We had a rainstorm with thunder last night.  When the rain stopped, she appeared on the deck stairs, but when I called her, she ran back into the woods.  I haven't seen her since.  It is now 12:00 pm the next day, and no sign of her. It isn't raining any longer, but may rain again later.

I am frantic. Is it possible that she is just enjoying the familiar smells of the state she used to live in and will come back on her own?  Or should I be worried that she is lost.  She is very afraid of people in general, and will only come to me or near my husband. I don't understand why she ran when I called her, and now there is no trace of her.

Answer
Hi Kathy,

I hope by the time you read this she has come back. If she hasn't then this will help. Please read this link from a past expert. She gave great advice on getting lost and escaped kitties back.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cats-1606/cat-67.htm

You might want to read some more of her advice. Follow what she says and you'll have your cat back soon. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen