Mad Father - Chapter 8


I do not own Mad Father. I do not own Warriors. I do not own Sparrowfeather1.


Chapter 8

Dio

I half-heartedly ran after her, my paws feeling heavy on the dirt floor. I looked horrific. I was a walking nightmare. It's not my fault, but is there even anything I can do about it? I could understand why she was so frightened. She had no idea what was going on; her young mind was baffled. She was probably trying to deny that her father had anything to do with me. Even though he had everything to do with my fall.

I slowed to a halt and stared at the hallway that stretched beyond me. Her scent was nearby, floating in the air, but I could see nothing except darkness. My ears swiveled around on my head to try to pick up any sounds, in case something was lurking in the shadows. I already knew there was something out there. Something just like me.

I took a few careful steps forward, barely able to see them. Growling to myself, wishing there was light, I walked forward some more. As I did, the sound of gurgling and groaning echoed from in front of me. Isn't that the way the young she-cat went? My heart pounded as I raced forward, a small light flickering ahead. They want her.

I bowled into a thick, slimy figure. Bouncing backwards and skidding on the floor, I raised my head to see another corpse. His pelt was streaked with mud and blood, his eyes listless. The bloodshot eyes slowly turned from dull to furious as he whipped around to face me, three other corpses shuffling to back him up, leaving a small, trembling cat in the corner. The she-cat. Our eyes met for a few brief seconds before she scampered away. I could hear the sound of their claws unsheathing.

"You're distracting us!" one hissed quietly, the sound forced and gritty. "Let us go get her!"

Chills ran down my spine. I was right: they did want her. What did they want her for? Revenge? Scrabbling onto my paws to stand up to them, I unsheathed my claws as well. The cats were confused for a few seconds, not thinking I was actually going to fight them. I took advantage of the moments and leaped at the cat on the right.

My claws easily sank into his flesh. I noticed that their reactions were much slower than a normal cat's. Were mine too? I pushed the thought away as I sunk my teeth into his neck, feeling no blood pour out from the wound. The cat choked and wriggled from under me, the stench of death filling my mouth and nose, and then he was still.

"We can die?" one of the other corpses shouted from behind me. "What did you do to him?"

Claws latched onto my back. I screeched in pain and rolled over, flipping the cat under me. More claws attached onto my fur, bringing a new bout of agony. I ripped my pelt away and slashed at the cat underneath me. It was a whirlwind of claws and teeth and limbs.

But I had the advantage against these three cats. I was saner, more intact with my former senses. If I could react fast enough, I had a chance. Even if I wasn't as strong or used to being... dead.

"I'll get you, you piece of rotten flesh!" a cat from behind me yowled.

I spun around just in time to dodge the thick cat bowling towards me. Jumping onto the skidding body, I dug my teeth into its neck instantly. I wasn't even going to wait for the cat to retaliate and fight back. They didn't need a chance against me. I just wanted to protect myself, and her.

There was just two left. Two against one.

My breaths came in shallow gasps as my head spun with the action. Maybe I was turning into them, losing all my quick cat-like reflexes. I would be a useless, lumbering corpse, wandering the tunnels for the revenge that I would never get. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted a purpose. I wanted to feel as alive as I could in the circumstances.

The two cats remaining were calm, stepping towards me with their teeth bared and complete rage boiling in their eyes. Fear pulsed through me as I found myself cornered, up to their mercy. One of them laughed, glancing at the other with satisfaction.

I seized the moment and darted between them, spinning out into the open. Nausea engulfed me for a few moments, but I blinked it away and dodged the first set of claws. I reared back and smashed down onto the cat, feeling bones crack under my weight and force. The cat groaned and coughed up a strange white substance. And was still.

"Why are you doing this?" the last cat growled. "We're trying to get our revenge. He killed you too."

"But on his daughter? She did nothing," I responded, shaking my head. "It's not right."

"Why are you defending her? That's exactly what I mean: she's his daughter! You're betraying us! How can you let her live after he did this to us?" he roared, froth foaming in the corners of his mouth.

"Because she did nothing," I said softly, a little sadly, as I darted forwards and knocked the cat onto the ground swiftly. "Sorry." I swiftly snapped his neck with my teeth and darted away, leaving the bodies to rot on the ground.

When I returned to where I had been, the she-cat's scent was gone. My shoulders slumped; I had no idea where she could possibly be. Could I ever find her in this endless maze? I lowered my head in despair, ignoring the chilling air that wreathed around me.

"Save her," a voice whispered to me. "Save Adalia!"

I gasped, speechless.

"Get her out of here. Save her. Save her!"


A/N: Review?