Chapter 20

It had been the first time in many moons that Firestar had slept properly. He woke up, feeling refreshed and energized. He padded out of his den, and looked around the almost empty clearing for Sandstorm. Shaking his head in puzzlement, he decided to go hunting. Just as he was about to step out of camp, he noticed that there was a big hole in the bramble wall that was supposed to protect the camp. An icy splinter lodged itself into his heart.

"Longtail, do you know where everyone has gone?" he meowed urgently, bounding over to where the blind cat lay.

It was only then he realized that Longtail wasn't merely sunning himself. He was dead. Blood foamed from his mouth and his eyes gazed skywards in horror. Firestar slowly backed away.

A voice made him jump. "What's wrong, Firestar?" Sandstorm stood behind him, staring at him.

Snowpaw was at her side. Both their eyes were glazed over. Firestar froze, chilled to the bone. What had happened to the both of them?

"What's wrong?"

"Everything okay?"

Firestar tried to yowl, but found he could not. He was being surrounded by his clanmates! They moved closer, eyes staring blankly at him. A few of them had bloody wounds, he noticed. Firestar glared silently at them, and suddenly dashed straight at Rainwhisker. The young warrior unsheathed his claws. Firestar pushed past him before the wicked –looking claws could get him.

"Get him," Sandstorm commanded, and sprang after him.

Firestar panted wildly, thoughts rushing through his mind. He had to get help, quick. The crashing of pawsteps behind him made him go faster. Sunningrocks loomed in the distance, and Firestar bounded straight into Riverclan territory.

While racing towards Riverclan camp, he was aware that no one was chasing him. Firestar slowed down. Something thudded into his side, knocking the breath out of him. Stormfur glared angrily at him, but calmed down when he noticed it was Firestar.

"You've come to take refuge, I suppose." The gray warrior meowed before Firestar could even say a word.

"How did you know?"

Stormfur shrugged and padded forward. "Graystripe and Ashfur are in the camp right now." He answered. "They said something about their own clanmates chasing them, and they're too shaken to tell us anything."

Firestar stopped. "It was Riverclan who caught the sickness first and passed it on to the other clans, wasn't it? Do you know what it can do?"

To his surprise, Stormfur did not get angry. "We know, and we're sorry, but what could we have done? The sickness came to us by itself."

The anger drained out of Firestar. "Just take me to your camp," he growled wearily.

Graystripe's eyes brightened when he saw Firestar. "I'm so glad you're safe!" he purred.

Ashfur looked on in amusement. A circle of Riverclan warriors surrounded them.

Firestar turned and faced Mistyfoot. "Where's Leopardstar? I need to speak with her."

Mistyfoot shook her head sadly. "She's dead."

Firestar reeled back in shock. "W-what? What happened?"

Stormfur meowed solemnly. "She died from the sickness."

Firestar turned to Mistyfoot once more. "Well, you're now leader, I suppose."

She shook her head. "Not yet,"

Firestar knew it was rude to continue, but he did it anyway. "I need your clan's help."

Graystripe stared at him in shock.

Mistyfoot nodded slowly. "I knew you would ask for help. We will help you, because we know how to get rid of the sickness."

Hope soared in Firestar's heart. "But you didn't speak of it at the Gathering."

She looked up at him. "We've only just found out. The three of you can stay here for the night. We'll go with you to Thunderclan camp tomorrow morning."

And with that, she headed back to her den. Graystripe lay down heavily, and looked at Firestar reproachfully.

"That was rude."

Firestar shrugged. "I did it for the clan."

Amusement glinted in the gray warrior's eyes, and they were soon fast asleep.

Okay, I know this is starting to look like a scene out of a horror movie, but please, bear with me!!! As you know, this sickness turns cats into 'zombies', leaving them with festering wounds too. This may be weird, but then again, I made it up!!!