Apprentice and Pregnant 2
Chapter 26: Lock and Key
a/n: This chapter contains disturbing content. Read at your own risk. (This warning is for the people who freak out at me for saying the F word)
I can be your painkiller
Killer, killer
I'll love you till it's all over
Over, over
Cause I'm the shoulder you cry on
The dose that you die on
Swallow Star pushed his way back into the camp, looking around for Dark Lake and Tigerstripe. After looking around for several moments, it was safe to assume he was the first one back from the assessment. I wonder how the other groups did, he thought to himself. Hopefully they stuck to the rules and kept quiet.
"Swallow Star!" Hollyshines voice rang out behind him, and he turned around. Hollyshine was walking quickly towards him, looking eager to find out how the assessment went. "How'd it go?"
"I can't talk about it until I've talked to Tigerstripe and Dark Lake," Swallow Star replied. "We need to have a conference first."
"They did well, right?" Hollyshine blurted out at once. "I'm sure they did… they had to! They've been practicing forever!"
"I'll let you know as soon as I can," Swallow Star said. Hollyshines tail drooped and she looked down, disappointed. Swallow Star understood her frustration; it was a big moment for her. Her kits are about to be made warriors, Swallow Star thought. It almost feels a little surreal, since Hollyshine is a young warrior herself.
A rustling sound distracted him, and Swallow Star looked up to see Tigerstripe making his way into the camp.
"Hey there!" Swallow Star greeted him at once, waving his tail. Tigerstripe looked up at him, and the expression on his face turned Swallow Stars blood cold. He looked spooked, scared even.
What the hell-
What happened?
Behind him, Ivypaw and Cracklepaw emerged, looking down at the ground. Cracklepaw was limping, wincing with pain as he walked slowly into the camp. Ivypaw on the other hand looked like she had just witnessed a terrible death. Her fur was stuck up and greasy looking and she stared at the ground, dragging her paws.
"What happened?" Swallow Star called out in alarm as he made his way over, feeling very uneasy all of the sudden.
"Go see Featherwing," Tigerstripe mumbled to Cracklepaw, ignoring Swallow Stars question. "Ivypaw, come with us to Swallow Stars den please."
"What-" Swallow Star broke off, completely confused. Why is Cracklepaw going to the medicine cat? Was he attacked out there? And what's this about Ivypaw joining us in my den?
"Swallow Star," Tigerstripe said grimly, voice thin as he looked up at the leader. "I need to talk to you, right now."
"Okay," Swallow Star said slowly, looking over at Ivypaw again. She was shaking now, leaning forward quickly as if she was going to be sick. He looked at Tigerstripe, wanting an explanation.
Tigerstripe pretended he didn't see and pushed past him, walking briskly in the direction of the leaders den.
By now cats were starting to stare and whisper, looking just as confused as Swallow Star felt. He sighed and braced himself for the worst, following his deputy with Ivypaw dragging her paws behind him.
"Alright then," Swallow Star said once they were all finally in the den. He turned to Tigerstripe, waiting impatiently for him to start talking. "What is going on?"
Tigerstripe didn't reply, and continued to stare at Ivypaw with a hideous anger. Ivypaw looked as meek and frightened as a kit being confronted by a badger. She stared at the ground, shaking violently as if she was ice cold.
"Tigerstripe," Swallow Star snapped, feeling very nervous. "What's this about?"
"Ivypaw," Tigerstripe hissed, his voice scathing. "Would you like to explain yourself, or should I?"
"Please…" Ivypaw spoke very quietly, voice hoarse and pained. She started to cry, sobbing as she spoke. "D-d-don't… p-please-"
"Stop crying right now," Tigerstripe spoke the words through gritted teeth, getting angrier by every torturous second that passed.
"Hey now," Swallow Star said gently, wondering why Tigerstripe was being so mean to the poor cat. "There's no need to be so aggressive-"
"Oh there's a need," Tigerstripe spat the words, nudging Ivypaw forcefully. "Stop crying, Ivypaw. Explain yourself right now before I do it."
"I-I w-was g-g-g-going to h-help hi-him," Ivypaw could barely get out the words. She sunk to the floor of the den, crying so loudly that Swallow Star figured the whole camp could hear by now.
"I j-j-just w-wanted," Ivypaw continued, voice squeaky like a newborn kit. "I j-j-just w-wanted-"
"Oh for Starclans sake," Tigerstripe interrupted angrily. "Just stop. I'll explain it."
"Go on," Swallow Star whispered, staring at Ivypaw. She looked destroyed, completely destroyed. He felt bad for her, and wished Tigerstripe would take it down a notch. A rising anxiety was making him feel nauseous, and he started to get the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"So I followed Cracklepaw and Ivypaw out to the Snakerocks," Tigerstripe began, finally looking Swallow Star in the eye. "And she goes to the top of the rock, and he stays at the bottom."
"Okay," Swallow Star said impatiently, wondering why that would be making Ivypaw so upset. "Continue."
"So she starts jumping around," Tigerstripe hissed, shooting another vicious glare at Ivypaw. "And a bunch of snakes come shooting out."
"Alright," Swallow Star mumbled. That explains Cracklepaw having to go to the medicine cats den. But why is Ivypaw so upset over that… accidents happen, don't they?
"So Cracklepaw starts fighting the snakes," Tigerstripe himself was shaking now as he continued to tell the story. Beside him, Ivypaw was weeping, making sounds that weren't words. Swallow Star decided he had had enough.
"Tigerstripe, get out of my den," he growled. Tigerstripe stopped talking mid word and stared at him in disbelief. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Swallow Star hissed. "Get out. This is not the way we treat our apprentices. She is clearly very upset and you just keep making it worse. So, I'm asking you to leave."
"For fucks sake," Tigerstripe snapped, his language making Swallow Star wince. He had never heard Tigerstripe swear like that before, especially not in front of a young she cat.
"You know what?" Tigerstripe snapped. "FINE. Take her fucking side. But I'll have you know, Swallow Star. She tried to KILL Cracklepaw. She stood there and watched him get attacked by snakes and was going to sit there and watch with a FREAKING SMILE ON HER FACE."
"Leave," Swallow Star whispered, shaking. He pointed with his tail to the exit. "Get out."
Tigerstripe spat on the ground before he turned and stalked out, shoving his way through the lichen so violently it ripped nearly half of it off. When he was gone, Swallow Star turned back to Ivypaw, wondering just what on earth Tigerstripe was talking about.
How could he say that?
What the hell is going on?
"It's okay now," Swallow Star said gently, moving closer to the young cat. He pressed up beside her, trying to comfort her the best he could.
"Want to tell me what happened out there?" Swallow Star asked quietly, realizing with dread that Tigerstripes words were probably true. He wouldn't just make something like that up. Nor get so angry… Oh Ivypaw, what have you done?
"What do you think they're talking about in there?" Firepaw asked impatiently, pacing around in a circle. "Ugh, they've been in there FOREVER."
"Stop moving around so much," Silverpaw growled. "It's super annoying."
"Stop breathing so much," Firepaw shot back at once. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, thinking about it. "Wait, never mind. That doesn't make sense."
"Can we please talk about something else," Pinepaw begged, looking terribly stressed out. "I can hardly think straight. We need to distract ourselves-"
"Do you think we failed?" Firepaw interrupted loudly, completely ignoring Pinepaw.
"Firepaw!" Laurelpaw snapped, looking over at Pinepaw. Firepaws words looked like they made her want to cry, and Laurelpaw was getting a sneaking suspicion that Pinepaw and Silverpaw may have broken the rules.
They probably talked
But so did Firepaw and I!
Oh, what if we all failed?
"I wish Swallow Star told us about Tigerstripe and Dark Lake," Silverpaw whispered under his breath, looking just as freaked out as Pinepaw. His nervousness confirmed Laurelpaws suspicions.
Oh yeah, they cheated all right
"Where is Ivypaw?" Pinepaw suddenly asked, looking around. "Is she in the medicine cats den with Cracklepaw?"
"No," Silverpaw replied. "I was just in there. I think Ivypaw may be in Swallow Stars den."
"Why?" Firepaw put in, looking confused. "Silverpaw, did you ask Cracklepaw what happened out there?"
"I couldn't," Silverpaw said grimly. "Featherwing told me he's not allowed visitors. Even Hollyshine and Grayclaw can't see him."
"Wow," Laurelpaw whispered, dread sinking through her bones. Nothing is adding up here… why can't anyone see Cracklepaw? And what's this about Ivypaw in the leaders den? What could she possibly have to do in there?
So many questions…
Ugh, I'm ready for some answers.
"I overheard some cats talking," Firepaw suddenly said, voice low. He looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Apparently Ivypaw was crying, like really hard. And then I heard something about Tigerstripe storming out of the den, angry as hell."
"What happened after that?" Laurelpaw asked, curiosity nearly killing her.
"I dunno," Firepaw shrugged. "They caught me eavesdropping and walked away."
"Dammit," Laurelpaw swore under her breath.
"Watch your goddamn mouth," Firepaw retorted, looking pleased with himself. His expression dropped when he realized no one laughed.
"What do you think she was crying about?" Laurelpaw asked the group, trying to figure out how this new information tied into the situation. "Do you think she's upset because Cracklepaw got hurt?"
"I have an idea," Firepaw mumbled.
"Why would she cry like that though?" Silverpaw said, ignoring Firepaw. "I still don't understand why Cracklepaw can't have any visitors."
"Can I say my idea please?" Firepaw snapped, looking irritated that Silverpaw had interrupted him.
"Go ahead," Laurelpaw said quickly before her brother started thinking out loud again. "What is it, Firepaw?"
"You all gotta hear me out here," Firepaw said slowly. "It's a bit of a long shot."
"Alright," Laurelpaw said, ears pricking up with interest. I wonder what it is
"Kay, well I think that Ivypaws the reason Cracklepaws in the medicine cats den," Firepaw said quickly, looking embarrassed. Laurelpaw stared at him, along with the others.
"What the hell kind of idea is that?" Silverpaw scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Do you even realize what you're saying?"
"Yeah, that's just silly," Pinepaw put in, sharing a rude look with Silverpaw. "Ivypaw would never hurt Cracklepaw."
"You said you'd hear me out!" Firepaw cried, tearing up a clump of grass with his claws. "I haven't even told you my whole idea yet and it's already getting judged!"
"That's because it's super dumb," Silverpaw growled. "Ivypaw would never hurt Cracklepaw."
Laurelpaw suddenly felt out of body, as if she was looking down at the scene from Starclan. She remembered how Firepaws last long shot idea had been a genius one, making their hunting assessment a walk in the park.
A dark realization suddenly shadowed Laurelpaws heart, realizing Firepaw was probably on the right track to figuring out what was going on.
"I don't know why I even bother trying to tell you idiot's things," Firepaw sighed, giving up on explaining himself.
"No wait," Laurelpaw said quickly, staring at nothing as her mind started to put the pieces together. Silverpaw and Pinepaw looked at her, looking confused on why she would encourage Firepaws idea.
"What if Ivypaw did try to hurt Cracklepaw," Laurelpaw asked slowly. "Think about it guys, we all saw how angry she was at me."
"So what if she tried to hurt Cracklepaw to hurt Laurelpaw?" Firepaw picked up the story as soon as Laurelpaw stopped talking, looking excited that Laurelpaw believed in what he was talking about. However, the light in his eyes was also feverish. Laurelpaw knew why without having to ask. It was coming quite possible that her former friend might have a dark side, and a very dangerous one.
I always knew she was angry… but I never suspected she was angry enough to hurt someone
"So why would Ivypaw hurt Cracklepaw then?" Silverpaw sighed in irritation. "If she wanted to hurt Laurelpaw, she would have just gone after Laurelpaw. Your story has too many holes, Firepaw."
"Does it?" Firepaw said quickly, looking as though his mind was racing a mile a minute. "Wouldn't she hurt Cracklepaw, because she wanted Laurelpaw to feel loss?"
"Because she lost Firepaw to me-" Laurelpaw started.
"So she wants her to feel the same pain of losing someone too-"
"So she probably chose the most dangerous part of the territory to hunt in," Laurelpaw said, staring at Firepaw as she spoke.
"So Snakerocks," Firepaw said at once. "Where Firepaw got bit and she-"
"Didn't help him," Laurelpaw finished his sentence, her eyes growing wide.
"She must have figured Swallow Star wasn't watching, but-" Firepaw started.
"Tigerstripe was…" Laurelpaws voice trailed off as the last piece of the puzzle fit into place.
"Tigerstripe saw the whole damn thing and now they're all in Swallow Stars den talking to her about it," Firepaw cried out. "AND THEY DON'T WANT CRACKLEPAW TALKING TO ANYONE UNTIL THEY FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO."
Laurelpaw stared at Firepaw in awe, not caring as a dead silence met their words. He stared back at her with the same expression.
"You two are freaks," Silverpaw finally broke the painful silence, staring at the ground as he pondered it over. "Complete freaks. How did you do that? Can you read each other's minds?"
"Yeah," Firepaw winked at Laurelpaw.
"However," Silverpaw said slowly, still staring at the grass. "As freakish as that just was, I think you two are right."
A sudden movement distracted Laurelpaw, and she looked over to where Swallow Stars den was. He had emerged into the open, with Ivypaw behind him.
"Guess we'll find out," Firepaw whispered.