Chapter Eleven - Sacrifice
It wasn't until late at night that Storm had found the band of rogues again. He made sure that Flare wasn't there to watch the entire scene. Something told him that nothing good would come out of her being there. These were the same rogues that had attacked her, he was sure of that.
Storm found himself standing near one of the many alleyways that skirted Twolegplace. He was amazed that Twolegs never noticed the fires that were lit here. What bothered him was that the rogues knew how to create fire and keep it from spreading. That sort of weapon could prove dangerous, especially to those living in the forest. His eyes narrowed when he saw Cricketpaw in the center of the group.
She looked terrified. Just judging by how huge her eyes were as she stared at the fire told him everything. She didn't want this. Somehow the rogues had convinced her to follow them. And now she was going to pay the price.
"Cats of the city!" The black tom from earlier was standing on top of boxes that were stacked together. Storm would have guessed that the rogues had put them together, but they were so high that such a task would have been impossible. "I am pleased to bring you a sacrifice for the new moon! Our ancestors will be pleased, this one is a Clan cat." A shudder ran down Storm's back when the rogues let out wails of agreement. It was an eerie sound, and it looked as though they were dancing among the flames that burned in the pit they created. "With this sacrifice we will be made stronger, and together we will destroy the very cats that threaten our future."
The black tom glared at Cricketpaw as she dropped down to a crouch. Her eyes were wild with fear as she looked at them. All of the rogues had her surrounded. She had no chance of escape unless Storm dropped in. He clenched his teeth and did the only thing he could think of.
"Leave her alone!" he yowled, jumping out of his hiding place. He leaped without thinking. The rogues jumped back in surprise when he landed beside Cricketpaw, ignoring the look of surprise she gave him. "She's done nothing to hurt you," he added, glaring at the rogues that now surrounded him.
"Foolish kit," the black tom sneered. "You should know better than to interfere with the ritual."
He moved faster than Storm could react. With one quick leap the black tom managed to knock Storm aside before pressing on Cricketpaw. His chest heaved with effort as he struggled back to his paws. By now the crowd was humming with anticipation as the black tom led Cricketpaw towards the fire.
"May the ancestors watch over us as we provide them with the blood they need," the dark brown she-cat Storm had seen earlier meowed.
Storm held back a wail of horror as he watched the black tom slice his claws across Cricketpaw's throat. Her body fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Storm's ears flattened when he realized that it was all over. The only other cat he had cared for in the Clan was gone.
He could only watch on in despair as the rogues tossed her body into the fire. The flames seemed to dance with joy at their newest victim. Sparks flew into the night sky, and one of them happened to land on Storm, causing him to jump and hiss in pain.
"What should we do with this kit?" asked the tortoiseshell she-cat from earlier. "He has seen too much."
"Let him send the Clans a warning," the black tom replied in a growl of contentment. "We are stronger now, stronger than we ever have been. Even if he were to help the Clans, it wouldn't be enough."
All Storm could do was glare at them. He'd never felt more helpless than now. By now the rain had started to pick up again, and the flames were beginning to die. Storm stayed where he was as the rogues seemed to melt into the shadows.
"I won't let you get away with this," he snarled, feeling nothing but hatred towards this cat.
"Poor little kit," the black tom sneered. "I imagine you must feel so helpless, watching your friend die. But you will continue watching cats die, until we finally rule this place and the forest. That is the promise that I make. Everyone will eventually bow to me as their leader."
Storm felt his hackles rise as the black tom vanished into the rain. A flash of lightning suddenly streaked across the sky, causing Storm to jump once again. He was alone now. Cricketpaw's remains could be seen in what was left of the fire, but Storm felt too sickened to look at them.
I will never forgive them for this, he thought bitterly.
"Storm!" He flinched when he heard Flare's voice over the pouring rain. Storm turned in time to see her bounding towards him. "What- What in the stars are you doing out here? I was so worried something happened to you!" Then she noticed the wounds on his shoulders where the tom had attacked. Storm was ready to defend himself when she spotted the fire that was once burning. "Is that..." Flare broke off when she realized what was among the ashes.
"He killed her without any thought," Storm rasped, staring down at his paws as grief started to wash over him. "She didn't deserve to die like this."
He couldn't help but flinch again when Flare pressed herself against him comfortingly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Storm closed his eyes and welcomed her warmth. Even with Flare at his side, he felt nothing but cold sorrow. What was he going to tell the Clan? They would blame him for Cricketpaw's death. Truthfully he would blame himself for what had happened. He should have gone with her when she asked him to.
"I have to go back," he murmured, feeling a lump form in his throat. He swallowed as he thought of the way the Clan would react. "I have to tell them what happened."
"You're not going back to the park, are you?" Flare suddenly asked.
"I don't know if I can," he admitted. Storm bowed his head as he remembered the way Cricketpaw had treated him. She had been such a good friend. He couldn't just forget what she had done for him. "They have a right to know what danger they're in."
Flare seemed to contemplate over his decision for a few heartbeats. Another streak of lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the alley. Storm felt a shudder run down his back once again. He had to leave this place. He knew the rogues were watching them.
"Then I'm going with you," Flare told him. Storm looked at her in disbelief as she flicked her tail across his shoulder. "I can't let you do this alone. If you're going back, than you need someone who can speak up for you."
Her bravery astounded him. If the Clan decided that she was a threat, they could easily attack her. Storm wouldn't know what to do if they did. But he knew that having Flare by his side gave him strength. He just wished he had the same bravery she did.
...
"Is there any sign of her?"
Dustpaw's anxiety made Nightpaw's heart wrench with pity. She knew all too well what it was like to lose her sibling. Dustpaw must be feeling the same amount of grief that she felt. Patrols had returned with no information on Cricketpaw's whereabouts. Much to Nightpaw's disappointment, the rain had washed away her scent. Any hope of tracking her down was ruined.
"We'll find her, don't worry," Leafstar reassured him.
Even Nightpaw could hear the doubt in her voice. She looked down at her paws, remembering the way Leafstar had acted when she told Nightpaw about Storm's betrayal. She had acted so cold about it. But now she truly was anxious to find out where the apprentice had gone.
"The last place I checked for her scent was by Twolegplace," Bouncefoot, a black and white tom, explained as he returned with his patrol. Nightpaw didn't know him too well, but she was aware that he had spoken out during Leafstar's acceptance towards the loners. "Her scent was washed away by the rain though, I couldn't find any trace of her."
Leafstar looked at Bouncefoot thoughtfully before glancing at Nightpaw. She wondered for a moment what was on the leader's mind when Leafstar flicked her tail to her. Nightpaw blinked before trotting over to the ForestClan leader.
"You know your brother better than any of us," Leafstar began, casting a look towards the Clan gathered around her. "Cricketpaw might have gone looking for him, and if she has, than it is possible that he would know where she is."
Nightpaw's lip curled in annoyance when she realized what Leafstar was suggesting. Did she expect Nightpaw to just waltz over to her brother and beg for him to return? She doubted Storm would be in any hurry to run back to the Clan. Especially after the way Willowpaw had treated him.
"I'm not sure if bringing him back is a good idea," she admitted, feeling slightly guilty at saying that.
She had felt hopeful when Leafstar began to regret her decision about casting him out. But now she understood that her brother was different from her. He would have moved on and found a better life. Hopefully one that wouldn't involve so much fighting.
"You must find him." Leafstar's voice sent a chill down Nightpaw's back. She looked at her leader coldly as Leafstar looked away. "I know that what I did was a mistake. There must be a way to make things right again."
Guilt weighed down in Leafstar's voice. Nightpaw hadn't realized until now that something must be wrong. She glanced around and noticed that everyone was staring at Leafstar expectantly.
"I'm going to find Cricketpaw in Twolegplace," Nightpaw suddenly announced. She felt her heart racing as she thought of the fact that she had only just become a medicine cat apprentice. "I want Dustpaw, Ryewhisker and Petalwind to go with me." She nodded to Ryewhisker; the creamy brown tom looked at her in disbelief as she padded towards the thorn tunnel.
"Who died and made you Clan leader?" Willowpaw demanded, her lips curling with anger as she glared at Nightpaw.
Dustpaw reacted faster than Nightpaw would have ever expected. He rounded on Willowpaw and sent her flying by hitting her muzzle with his paw.
"We're going to find my sister, you foxhearted mousebrain! And if I know Cricketpaw, she went out to find Stormpaw, no thanks to you."
Willowpaw's eyes widened in disbelief when Dustpaw turned around and left it at that. Nightpaw was just as surprised to hear him say that, and to hear him call Storm by his apprentice name. She never expected anyone to stand up for her brother.
Then again, he's worried about his sister, Nightpaw reminded himself. He knows that Cricketpaw liked Storm.
"I'm going to find her," Nightpaw promised him. "We all will, together."
Petalwind purred and flicked her tail across Nightpaw's shoulder when she said that. "I'm proud of you," she murmured as Nightpaw led the way. "You've made the right decision by become a medicine cat apprentice."
Nightpaw held back a purr at her old mentor's praise. She would miss having Petalwind as a mentor. The pale ginger she-cat had always been kind and gentle towards her. But she knew that she had made the right decision. Joining the Clan really had been the best decision she had ever made, even if she missed her brother.
AN: Thanks to dalonadon71201 for reviewing! I really appreciate it :D Please review and let me know what you thought of this chapter, I truly do appreciate getting your feedback!
