Pebble ran as hard and fast as she could. Her silvery paws a blur on the ground below her, not even seeming to touch the ground. Her lungs ached, the cold, night air burning her sensitive throat as she heaved in breaths.

No matter how badly her legs ached, no matter how close her heart came closer to bursting from the over-exertion and stress, she could not stop. Her life was on the line. There was no help for her. It was only herself as she ran from her beloved mate.

It seemed that, not too long ago that the most important tom in her life, Rocky, had been the sweetest mate she could ever ask for. He had seemed so loving to Pebble, always at her side if she needed help, catching prey for her while she napped. He had even helped her escape from her twolegs!

They had lived in loving bliss, enjoying every moment of their lives. If they didn't catch any prey, or couldn't find any twoleg trash to eat, they didn't care. The two had each other, and they seemed to feed on their happiness.

All of that was gone the moment Pebble suddenly woke up to the sound of Rocky muttering and twitching in his sleep. When she had turned to nuzzle at him in hopes of waking the brown mottled tom, he started talking out loud.

"Why are you running, Pebble?" He had mumbled, causing the silvery she-cat to freeze. Realizing he was asleep and too curious for her safety, Pebble crouched down and watched him.

"This won't hurt too much." Rocky went on, his claws unsheathing without her noticing. A sly grin suddenly went on his sleeping face, and next thing his mate knew, he swiped at her.

With a yelp of surprise and pain, Pebble jumped back, tripping and landing on her backside. Clutching at the bleeding slice down her cheek, she stared up in fear at Rocky, who had jumped to consciousness at the sound of her shriek.

"Pebble?" He asked, eyes blinking open before widening as his gaze beheld his scared and injured mate. At first, they both were too shocked to do anything. Then a glimpse of red caught Rocky's eye, and he looked down in shock at his blood-covered claws.

Rocky gazed down at it unblinkingly, before looking up to his mate, who was staring at him. The tension was so thick in the air that, if he wanted to, the mottled tom could slice it with the same claws that had hurt his Pebble.

That thought dragged him out of it, as he suddenly realized what he had done. "I'm so sorry!" He yowled, repeating the apology over and over. His eyes were swirling with panic and regret, even after they treated her wound and Pebble forgave him. No matter how many times she told him it was an accident and that she didn't hold it over him, he still never forgave himself, swearing it would never happen again.

For many more nights, it happened again, each one getting more and more aggressive until she ran from him.

Heart aching, Pebble willed herself to go on running. The sounds of pawsteps crunching on leaves and the forest floor sending jolts of fear into her, propelling her forward. Not far behind her, she could hear her sleeping mate chasing after her. She could practically hear the horrid grin on his face at the thought of the hunt.

Tears fell down from her eyes, blurring her vision until she could no longer see. Blinking them away, she allowed her eyes to see once more. But it was too late. She tripped over a root that seemed as if it suddenly appeared from nowhere, rolling head-over-heels until she landed in a heap on the ground.

Without a moment's hesitation, she was on her paws once again, ready to race away. But, as it was before, she was too late. Pebble was just too slow.

Out from the shadows, glassy amber eyes peaked out. Over this aggressive and painful span of nights, Rocky had suddenly developed a knack for sleeping with his eyes open. They were open, but seemed to stare at nothing. The lights were on, but nobody was home.

A grin formed on his muzzle as he padded into the clearing, causing Pebble to slowly back away until she was up against a tree.

"Why are you running, Pebble?" Rocky asked her tauntingly, seeming to enjoy her fear in his sleep. "You're not scared, are ya?"

"Rocky." She said, her voice shaking in fear. "Wake up, Rocky! This isn't you and you know it!" Tears spilled down her face, causing her to hunch down and stare up at his looming form. "Please… Rocky, don't do this…"

"Are you already begging for mercy?" Rocky asked, his voice a mix of sleepiness and sadistic. "You'll have to do better than that."

With that, her mate sprang at her form, his claws unsheathed and outstretched, while his jaw opened to reveal sharp, deadly fangs.

Pebble slid away from the tree, instinctively swiping at his side and tearing fur out, blood splattering from the wound. She stared in horror, realizing what she had done, and from the frozen form of Rocky, she wondered what would happen when he opened his eyes. Would the pain jolt him back to consciousness? Or would he stay glassy-eyed and dangerous?

Thankfully for her, the former happened. Rocky shook his head, blinking up at her terrified form blearily. Looking at his injured side, the fear in her gaze, and the fact they were in an unknown part of the forest, he seemed to be able to deduce what had happened without her help.

"Oh, Pebble. I'm so sorry-" Was as far as his sorrowful voice got as she suddenly raced away. Terror of Rocky propelled her. Her heart ached too much to stay with the tom anymore. He had driven Pebble away by too many failed murder attempts. She would not allow it to happen anymore.

And this time, when she ran away from him, he didn't try to follow.