Chapter 8
The forest used to seem so promising…so free and wild, but after Dusk's encounter with the white she-cat's memory flash…he didn't wish to go back. He was never the same after that faithful day. He used to be adventurous and full of curiosity…but now…he was cautious and timid at everything this cruel earth had to offer. Dusk had grown accustomed to the Upwalker and her den, so close that he was the only littermate who wore a collar. His brother, Spark likes to tease him for it…but Dusk shakes it off, he finds it much more fun to sit in the protective den than outside were cats brutally murder each other!
The memory of the murder happened a long time ago. Dusk was now an adult…fully grown, but was still small for a male cat. Spark had grown into a massive tom like their father, Timber; he knew it too…arrogant tom! Mouse was the runt of the litter, smaller than Dusk…she was timid and shy…a bit like Dusk. Their sister, Ember…she…was…different.
"Watching the birds again, housecat," Spat Ember sarcastically, "They taste better when you actually try to catch them!"
"Ember…" Dusk sighed, not in the mood to talk to his mean sister. Ember rolled her green eyes and bounded closer to her smaller brother, an evil smirk was planted on her face…her fangs gleaming. Dusk avoided eye contact…Ember loved to attack for no reason….she was aggressive.
"I hear a hint of irritation in your voice…" She growled, scanning her brother and trying to catch his bluff. Dusk flattened his ears. He wasn't in the mood to be messed with right now, especially not with Ember, who was teasing.
"Go wrestle with Spark…I'm tired." Dusk sighed, hunching his shoulders. Ember didn't budge; she just sat there with the evil grin.
"I'm tired of playing with Spark…I wanna' mess with your head!" Ember snarled. Dusk stood to walk off but Ember jumped in his path, her claws were gleaming in the artificial light of the Upwalker's den. Dusk frowned and tried the other way…he was cut off.
"Ember stop, I want to be left alone!" Dusk snapped, his neck fur bristling. His irritation only fueled Ember's excitement; the dark ginger she-cat crouched down as if she was stalking prey.
Dusk bolted away from his sister but was caught as she pounced on him, her sharp claws dug into his shoulders. Dusk howled in pain and anger and went limp under her body; Ember rolled off of Dusk but quickly bit down on his tail. The black tom whipped around and sliced his claws across her muzzle, feeling embarrassed when Ember started laughing.
"You know, that actually could've hurt…" Ember pinned Dusk down to the floor, "If you were bigger!" Dusk tried to squirm under his sister's weight and get away from her but Ember bit down on Dusk's collar and pressed his cheek to the den floor. "This is too easy!"
"Get off of me!" Dusk hissed, frustration bubbled under his pelt…he was so weak! Ember snorted and rolled her brother over, raking her hind claws across his back. She kicked Dusk across the room and laughed at him when he slammed into the den wall…Dusk had never been more dishonored by his own family such as this.
"It must really suck to be you, Dusk." Ember taunted as her brother lay in the floor. "I mean…look at you! You're so weak and pathetic, not much better than Mouse! Being a sad little housecat is all you will ever be...just face it."
"Ember, what in the name StarClan do you think you are doing!" The harsh voice of their mother, Rose hissed. Ember rolled her eyes and snarled at her mother, her spotted coat was ruffled.
"StarClan is fake, Rose, get over it!" Ember hissed. Rose looked bewildered at the words coming from her daughter's mouth. The mother snarled and stomped over to her kit, rage was beaming from her pelt.
"What exactly are you trying to prove!" Rose screeched with her tail lashing. Ember raised her chin and smirked menacingly at her mother.
"That I belong in the wild."