Prologue
I opened my eyes. Morning had come, but the proof of the deed was still on my claws.
My clanmates would know for sure. Would my mate, Crowsky, still love me? Probably not, I thought, and my kits, Lightningkit and Swiftkit, were too young to understand.
How could I?, I thought. I murdered a fellow clanmate! Why did I? So I could become deputy? Why, in the heat of the moment, did I kill Leopardstrike? And now what do I do? Do I accept my fate? Do I try to fight? Or do I run?
Which option was prudent? I wondered. Probably accepting my fate, but ever since I murdered Leopardstrike, prudence was basically out of the picture. Fighting? I definitely wouldn't. I would never harm any cat again, from WindClan or anywhere else. The only option left was to run. Am I crazy? I've never even gone further than Highstones! But what other options do I have?
It was settled. I had to say goodbye to everything I had ever known: my mate, my kits, and my best friend Tanglefrost. I was done with WindClan, and WindClan was done with me.
I stepped quietly out of the den and looked around for the guard, Icebird. She was asleep. I walked out of the camp, and took one, last, long look at my home, and everything I was leaving behind.
It was over, my life as a brave warrior, following the warrior code and loyal to his clanmates, was over. What would I be now? I was a rogue, a loner. Someone my clanmates would attack and chase out. But now there was no going back. I flicked my gaze over the camp one more time, and then I turned around and started walking away, then breaking into a run, and never looked back.
I was no longer Jaystorm the warrior. I was Jay the loner, and Jay the loner was ready for a new beginning.
