Chapter 2
Dawn soon arrived, and Misty woke up. The idea of escaping from the house slipped from her mind as she watched the birds flying high up in the sky. That is, until Bluestar's voice startled her.
"I see you've woken up."
Misty nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."
Before she left, she sneaked into the kitchen and headed towards her bowl of food. Eileen was already eating her own breakfast, and she ruffled Misty's fur. Misty could not help but feel guilty. When she had finished, she quickly scrambled out the door, Eileen looking after her fondly. The fresh morning air invigorated her. Misty sat, happily admiring the peacefulness.
Bluestar suddenly appeared in her head again. "It'll be a long journey, Misty. Head towards your right – there's a deserted path there."
Misty turned her head. True enough, there was a path. It seemed unused and derelict. There were even weeds growing by its sides. She padded over and placed a paw on the path. Her journey had begun!
As she traveled, Bluestar told her more about the clans. Misty was fascinated, devouring every piece of information. She had never thought that there could be wild cats living in the forest, and that notion interested her. A thought suddenly formed in her mind.
"Wait! How will the clans know who I am?" she mewed worriedly.
"There's no need to worry. There are cats known as medicine cats in each of the four clans. I will send them dreams about you, and they will relay the news to their clan members." Came the reply.
And for the next hour or so, Misty listened to Bluestar talking about the medicine cats.
It was fast approaching midday, and the sun was burning down fiercely. The scorching rays tired Misty out, and she soon started to pant in exhaustion.
"If you're tired, you can take a rest."
Misty sank down gratefully onto the hard ground. Her belly rumbled. After walking for such a long time, she was hungry. Unfortunately, there was nothing to eat. She looked around desperately, hoping to find a scrap of food.
Bluestar chuckled. "You'll have to learn how to hunt, or you won't survive. I'll teach you."
Misty purred happily. Finally! She was going to learn how to hunt.
"Do you smell anything?"
Misty took a deep breath. Underneath the musty smell of the earthy forest, she could scent a thrush.
"I smell a thrush." She replied.
"Good. Pinpoint its direction, and crouch down and creep towards it. Do it quietly."
Misty followed Bluestar's instructions and managed to sneak up on the thrush, which was hoping around on the ground looking for food.
Bluestar meowed, "the direction of the wind is also important. It can carry your scent away or towards your prey. Now, prepare to pounce on the bird."
Misty nodded and tensed her muscles. She unsheathed her claws and sprang towards the thrush. It didn't notice her until it was too late. She pinned it to the ground as it chirped in terror. She silenced it with one blow.
"Nicely done." There was a note of approval in Bluestar's voice.
She sat down to eat, feeling very proud of herself. The thrush tasted delicious, a harmony of flavors she had never experienced before. She savored every morsel slowly. The tasteless pellets she had eaten all her life could never compare to this.
"There are different kinds of stalking techniques for different kinds of animals. You'll learn more about that later."
Misty finished off her food in a short time, as she was so hungry. She set off again. It was going to be a long way to the clans. However, she marched on determinedly.
She did not know how long she had walked. However, the sky was beginning to darken, and the temperature had already dropped a few degrees. It would be nighttime soon. When it was finally too dark to walk, Misty stopped.
"You'll have to find somewhere warm to spend the night in. See if there's cave or some bushes around."
Misty scanned her surroundings, and spotted a thick clump of bushes behind her. She bounded towards it and curled up underneath the leaves. Darkness enveloped her mind.
