The first cat was the grey one. He hooks a claw into my tail and yanks me back.

"Hey!" I hiss in annoyance. But then I remember what the she-cat said. I have to get past them. As I am trying to process this, a large brown tabby tom swats me in the face. The light blow sends me sprawling across the pavement and hit against the wall on the far side. The side of my face starts to throb and a drop of blood splatters on the floor. I try to stagger to my feet but the tortoise-shell grabs me by my scruff and flings me to her black and white partner. I land at his paws and look helplessly at him. He grins widely. He bites me by my tail a drags me along the floor. I try not to yowl in pain because it would only cause me more embarrassment then I'm already in. Finally he lets go and I am tossed to another cat. I give up trying to defend myself and let them do what they want. They are all laughing like they are enjoying themselves hugely. I can't see out of my left eye and my back leg is bleeding heavily. I feel like a helpless mouse. The torment continues for what feels like hours until I hear a soft, "L-l-leave her alone" From some where on the side. It was Feather.

"Who was that?" The grey cat snarls.

The Suburb 6 tabby shakes with fear in the shadows of the dumpster. A ginger tom leaps towards her and pulls her out of the darkness. She is plonked down on in the centre of attention and stares at the floor when the cat releases her.

The tortoise-shell shoves me towards Feather.

"Do you know this cat?" She says with an sly smile at the thought of having more cats to tease.

I say nothing in answer.

"Doesn't like to talk, this one." the wicked she-cat mumbles angrily.

She walks right up to Feather and glares down at her.

"What's your name," she asks with a hint of superiority in her tone.

Feather stares up at the giant with wide, terrified eyes.

"F-f-f-fe-" she stutters.

"Speak up!" The she-cat yowls. Her Suburb 1 friend chuckle behind her at Feather's fear.

I desparatly try to think of what I could do to help Feather.

Maybe I could jump on the tortoise-shells back and give us a few seconds to escape? Or I could sneak away and catch them by suprise? No. I can barely get to my paws. How could I save us now...

"What are you young cats up to?" Comes a casual, deep voice from down the alley.

All heads tern to see a white tom with a single ginger patch over one of his deep amber eyes coming towards us. He walks with confidence, like he is the king of the streets. I know who it is. The cruel ruler is Sparrow Claw, leader of Suburb 1.

His gaze moves from cat to cat. Everyone is silent in the ruthless dictator presence. The very cats that were acting as if they were top in Pancat, now were cowering in dread of Sparrow.

"Well well well. What do we have here?" He questions calmly. He looks at each cat again.

"Silver Sun?" His gaze rests on the tortoise-shell.

She nervously stares at her paws. So that's her name...

"They - er - were crossing the border and we - um - caught them," she gestured to me and Feather. My tail flicks. My fur rises.

Sparrow Claw moves towards me and I try to look away. He'll remember me by my eyes is he sees them - One amber, one white.

"Where are you from, feline." he mews with high authority.

''Suburb 6 sir,'' I mumble as politely as I can. When in the most powerful cats presence, always be respectful.

The white-and-ginger chuckles quietly to himself. "Is that so? It's a bit risky to be breaking laws right before The Games now isn't it? Especially when Suburb 1 is hosting them, hmm?" he says.

I slowly nod my head, ''Yes sir.''

''good,'' says Sparrow.

Suddenly, with no warning, he spins around and claws Silver Sun on the side of her face. ''And what do you think you were doing?'' he says with a hint of menace to the tortoise-shell who covers the scratch with her paw and yowls in pain. ''Why were you 'frightening' this kittens. We're supposed to make them feel excited for The Hunter Games tomorrow.''

I flinch at being called a kitten but am glade I don't have claw marks on my face.

''They-they crossed th-the border'' Silver croaks out.

''Granted,'' says Sparrow, ''but this is the Game Eve. A time to celebrate.''

But as he says this, he turns to me and Feather.

''It is the Games Eve tonight,'' he says with his voice low, his eyes dark, ''But trust me, Suburb 6 scum. You cross the border again and you will have to face the consequences of law-breaking.''

I stare at him. His mood is as changing as the weather.

The leader then around and starts to walk back into the alley.

''Leave now before I change my mind,'' he says to us without looking back. Slowly, the rest of the cats follow, with Silver trudging along at the rear.

''I'll get you next time, filth'' she hisses at me.

With that, the Suburb 1 cats disappear into the alley.

''Well, THAT just happened.'' I say, quite flabbergasted.

I look over at Feather who is shivering all over, her gaze dancing around the alley.

I heave myself to my paws. I scowl at the pain that shoots through my leg when I stand but bite my tongue to stop myself yowling.

Don't let it show. Don't let it show. Don't let it show. I repeat to myself over and over again.

I limp over to Feather and gently nudge her. She jumps at being touched like she's seen a ghost, but calms down a little when she sees it's just me.

''Come on. We'd better go,'' I say with a sense of urgency.

Feather slowly move towards the red dumpster, wide eyed, fur fluffed. The moment we pass the bin, she sprints away down the road back to the Suburb 6 Forte. I sigh. I guess I'm limping home alone.