Chapter One

Jackson Knight grumbled to himself as he staggered into his van. The middle-aged twoleg despised his job. Ha! he thought with a snort. Animal control! It's more like pet-sitting! He gave another snort as he rolled down the road. There was hardly anything to do that day, other than to scout the area for any signs of animal abuse. "We need to make sure there are no animals in distress," the Boss-Man had explained matter-of-factly when Jackson had questioned the need for patrols. Currently, the man named Jackson rolled his eyes. Patrols, he huffed internally. What are we? Cops?

The twoleg turned left as he came to a fork in the road, deciding to go check on the area past the mountains. It was a good thirty mile drive, but it wasn't as if there was much else to do today. He spent the entire ride in bitter silence, not bothering to turn on the radio. He reflected momentarily on the old days, when he had actually enjoyed his job. He gave a small sigh. That was before he had lost his wife five years previously. Since then, nothing, not even his once pleasant job, gave him any happiness. Some people were strong. Some could push through, and find happiness in the little things. Jackson Knight was not one of these people. The moment of reflection passed suddenly as it had come, as the man let bitterness consume his thoughts once more.

Soon enough, the man found himself cruising alongside a somewhat familiar lake. He rounded the curb, and stepped out of the car. This place was so peaceful and calming, he took a deep relaxing breath. Well, this day was already a waste. Perhaps it would serve him better to take a nice little walk into the woods, just had he had in this same forest with his wife years ago. Yes, a stroll through nature would be nice, he decided, ...for patrolling purposes, of course.

The man walked in without hesitation, letting memories flow through his mind. This was our first camping trip, he remembered. This is where we talked about our future, the family we wanted to have together. Jackson cringed slightly, pushing away the thoughts. No need for such tainted memories to ruin such a beautiful walk. Before he lost sight of the tree line, however, he realized he had forgotten the way. He certainly didn't want to lose himself in the forest. He was turning around unwillingly, when something caught his eye.

A flash of gray flashed past him. Jackson followed whatever it was with his eyes. It sprang up a tree in a rush, seeming to realize too late that the top branches were low enough that the man could reach. Knight recognized the creature immediately as a cat. A cat? In the forest? The man scowled and walked over to where the creature sat, seeming almost paralyzed with fear. Jackson rolled his eyes and grabbed the gray tom cat by the scruff. "I guess some work's going to get down after all," he mumbled. "I suppose one nice day outside is too much to ask for."

The cat struggled and fought as they made their way back to the van. "Calm down, Kitty," snapped the twoleg. "You'll be safe soon enough." Still, the tom thrashed his claws wildly through the air. One snagged onto Jackson's arm and tore through his skin. The man roared furiously and hurled open the trunk doors. With the cat still wriggling in his arms, he opened one of the cages and practically threw the creature inside it. He locked the metal cell in a rush, still cursing under his breath from the pain. He gave the devil-cat one last glare before slamming the doors shut and returning to the driver's seat.

The man started the vehicle and slammed on his breaks. This day beautiful day had been soiled not only by unbearable memories, but a cat of all things! Sometimes Jackson was convinced that life itself was out to get him. What the twoleg wasn't aware of, however, was the havoc that he was wrecking on the life sitting in the trunk behind him. He didn't realize that he was taking one cat farther and farther from his home, from his destiny.

Jayfeather's sniffed the air anxiously, trembling as the monster rolled on. Oh, StarClan, what's happening?

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to give credit to Female Scourge of BloodClan. She sent me a request, which inspired this story! Of course I added a few twists to it... :) Don't I always? R&R!