Chapter 6: The Barn
The group of mad cats seemed momentarily distracted, trying to decide which cats to go for. They eventually decided to go for the easy to catch, the 2 cats running right towards them. Firestar and his group kept running, not daring to look back, and eventually they saw the barn up ahead of them. They kept running, not even stopping to listen to the terrible yowls and cries coming from behind them… they all knew Berrynose and Thornclaw would not make it.
They had just passed a huge tree when they heard a yowl from up it. Firestar tilted his head up… and stopped. "KEEP RUNNING" He yelled to the others. Because up in the tree was Dawnpelt. "Dawnpelt, come with us!" Firestar yelled. She hoped down after a moment of uncertainty, and they both started running to catch up with their group.
The barn loomed closer still. They ran around the fence, for it would take too long to leap over it, especially with Lionblaze holding Cherrykit. And finally, the barn stood in front of them. "Everyone on top!" Firestar yowled to the group. The barn had a huge, open door that the cats could use their claws to climb up, like a tree, and from there leap up onto the top. Lionblaze went up first with Cherrykit and Leafpool at his side. They got to the top, and leaped onto the roof. Willowshine and Dovewing soon followed, then Mistystar and Mossypaw. Mossypaw nearly fell when she jumped, because she was so small and she slipped, but at the last moment Lionblaze reached out and grabbed her. Brightheart and Sorreltail went up next, soon followed by Graystripe and Foxleap. Cinderheart followed right after them. It was only him, Dawnpelt, and Birchfall left now. Dawnpelt hoped up too, but she was only half way up when he heard heavy paw steps behind him.
They had snuck up on him without him knowing. Only two cats, from Windclan by the looks of it, were there, but they had those eerie clear, glassy eyes. They must have continued on after them after the bigger group had gone for the easy prey, and being Windclan, were able to catch up in time. Firestar could not recall the first one's name, but the second one was definitely Harespring. Harespring lunged for Birchfall's neck, and Birchfall was dead before he could even turn around. Firestar yowled in alarm, and sprang on Harespring. The other cat, who was barely old enough to be an apprentice, lunged for Firestar too, but Firestar easily swatted him away and most likely knocked him out cold. This left him and Harespring. Even though Harespring was one of the newer warriors, the Infection powered him, making him a tough opponent. Harespring finally managed to push him off balance, and was about to lunge for his throught when a black shadow jumped out of the barn and bowled him over. This was Firestar's chance, and he climbed up the door faster than anyone, and leaped onto the barn. All his cats were there too, tired, but ok.
Suddenly, Firestar turned around. The black shadow had leapt up after him and was now on the barn too! Firestar was almost ready to lunge onto the cat, when he noticed for one, the cat's eyes were not glassy, and two, he knew the cat. It had been a long time… but he could still recognize that dark pelt anywhere.
"Ravenpaw?"
