Scarlet flames lapped at the chilled air, throwing up sparks into the night sky. Firelight flickered across a wasteland of ragged grass, silhouetting the Twolegs, huddling.
A pair of white lights appeared in the distance with the roar of a monster. It continued on past a Thunderpath that rose high into the sky, filling the air with putrid fumes.
At the end of the wasteland, a cat moved, eyes glittering in the shadows. Tall ears twitched, then flattened against the commotion. More cats followed one by one, tails trailing onto the filthy grass.
"What if one sees us?" A cat hissed, jerking it's head towards a Twoleg.
"They won't." Insisted a large tom. "Their night sight is horrid."
His words didn't seem to reassure the other cats, crouched low among the grass, quivering. The noise of the nearby monsters seemed to claw their sensitive ear fur, and the acrid stench clung to their nostrils.
"Why'd we have to come here, Tallstar?" Wailed a gray queen.
"Peace, Ashfoot." The black-and-white tom turned to the she-cat. "We've been driven out of every place we've found. Maybe we'll find some peace here."
Ashfoot flicked her tail dubiously, but did not respond any further.
"Tallstar, I fear for our safety here." Another she-cat spoke up. "What'll we eat? I can't scent any prey."
Tallstar's gaze softened as he looked at the young gray tabby. "I know you're hungry, but we'll be safer here than back in our old territory. There's no dog-scent and these Twolegs don't seem too bad. Look around!" As the tabby hesitated, he added, "Even ShadowClan won't follow us here. Deadfoot."
A black tom with a twisted paw appeared at his leader's signal.
"Deadfoot," Tallstar continued. "please take Onewhisker and see if you can find any prey."
"Yes, Tallstar." The deputy replied, dipping his head.
"There's probably only crowfood!" Spat the tabby she-cat.
"We must find a new place to settle, Mosspath." A tortoiseshell meowed gently. "Morningflower must eat and rest. Her kits will be born soon, and they need to be strong to survive."
The scrawny shapes of Deadfoot and Onewhisker emerged from the shadows.
"Tallstar," Deadfoot called. "there are rats everywhere and I found somewhere we can shelter."
"Show us." Tallstar commanded, the rest of the Clan gathering at the news.
Carefully, the cats padded across the wasteland after Deadfoot. The dark cat led them towards the Thunderpath, a monster roaring as the ground shook.
"Here," Deadfoot meowed, stopping next to a hole. "Climb in." The cats exchanged reluctant glances before Tallstar went in, signaling for the rest of the Clan to go in.
"I feel water!" Morningflower called, and sure enough there was a trickle of water running throughout the hole.
"Yes," Deadfoot replied, at the rear of the cluster of cats. "It's fresh so we'll be able to drink it."
"We'll have wet paws!" Complained Mosspath.
"I've through it all." Deadfoot went on. "There's a space away from the stream."
Tallstar stopped, lifting his chin. "WindClan has traveled for long enough," He announced. "It's been a moon since ShadowClan drove us from our home. The weather is getting colder, and leaf-bare will soon be upon us. We've no choice but to stay."
Mosspath narrowed her green eyes, but said nothing. Silently, she joined her Clan as they continued into the tunnel.