Fallen Leaves
(Note: this is my first story, so please no flames!)
Why me? Why does it have to be me? I never did anything wrong! I just wanted to become a sharpclaw! What's wrong with that? Many cats died down there, that aren't stuck like me. Like my family and friends,all I wanted was to become a sharpclaw. And look at me now. I'm cursed to walk these tunnels for eternity. Do you know how long eternity is? Forever! And ever and ever and ever….. I just don't understand. I walk these tunnels, alone, in the darkness, just because I wanted to be a sharpclaw. What is my name, you ask? Hmmm…. let me think. Don't look at me like that; down here a name is no more important then-then having all your fur. My name is….. Fallen Leaves. That sounds right, but you probably don't care. Why are you down here anyway? Shouldn't you be with your clanmates above the surface? I see, you would like to know what it's like down here. I can sum it all up in one word: agony. Not the "ripping your pelt off" agony or "clawing your eyes out" type of agony, but the type of agony you get from loneliness. Being forgotten, left behind by your own family. That kind of agony. Loneliness beyond compare. Every morning, ah not morning but anytime of the day, I think to my-self: 'I'll get out today! I'll go to my ancestors, and be with my family.' But to no avail. I gave up hope a long time ago, longer back then the first cats of your clan can remember. I wonder every day if my family and friends even remember who I am. I know my mother does, I can feel it. But what about all of those others? Do they remember me? Broken, Shadow, Stone Song, Jay's Wing, Dark River, Furled Bracken, Fish Leap… the list of names could go on forever. I know Broken Shadow does. I feel her agony inside of me, and it adds to mine. To know that your mother is out there, waiting for you, but that you will never return is the worst agony in the world. If I stay here another day, I'll go insane. I try my hardest not to go insane, and it takes all I've got to do so. If I went insane down here, no cat would hear my cries, and I would have to live every day to the end of time with myself. I hope that time will come soon, because I just can't take another lightless day. Who knows when the last time was when I saw my paws in front of me, or saw prey. Or even when I felt comforted. I've spent so long down here, I can remember….. barely anything. No cat stays down here. I can't convince them to. I'm all alone and no cat cares. Now scurry along young one, and leave me to my half-forgotten memories.