BrambleClan Story EP. 29- Flee
"This'll be quick, I promise," Birdsong cooed. I hope she is right. It's been moons since the kits were driven out, and all my efforts to remove BrambleClan were coming up short. I was having thoughts of giving up, but Birdsong reassured me that they were going to be killed sooner or later and that we needed to try different tactics. After she lied to me about the shadow warrior thing, I started to lose trust in her. I was very surprised to know that she was one herself. Her demeanor told me otherwise.
As she departed camp this cold, snowy morning, I began to wonder what would happen if she did not succeed. My name as a clan leader would be smeared. I could not show my face at gatherings anymore; If I could not successfully complete any of my own missions, what could I complete?
What am I thinking? I thought to myself, Birdsong can't die. She's to strong. I need to clear my head. Stepping out of my den, I saw the clan just starting to emerge from their dens. Shortstep was giving orders to a group of warriors. They accepted them and ran out of the entrance and into the forest before them. I hopped down from the ledge that overlooked the camp and Shortstep spotted me. He waddled over, a concerned look in his eyes.
"Hello Spottedstar," he began, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Go on," I groaned.
"Well, It's about BrambleClan."
"What about them?"
"What if Birdsong doesn't come out... Well... Alive?"
"Shortsep," I laughed, "She'll be fine. You worry too much." As I walked away, I added, "She'll never be committed to any tom, you know. It's just not her."
"W-what?" He stammered.
"You heard me." And with that, I bounded off to my den.
By now, it was moonhigh. Was Birdsong's expedition really taking this long? I suppose your best victories take a while to carry out. I thought to myself. Not a soul stirred in BloodClan; everyone was sound asleep except for me and Shortstep, who was keeping watch at the entrance. Anticipating Birdsong's arrival in the morning, I nestled in my fern-and-feathers bedding and promptly drifted off.
When I woke up, I was in a unfamilliar place. The ground was barren and deprived of grass, and the trees looked as if they were dead for seasons. The sky was gray and starless. A gentle voice behind me let me know that I was not alone.
"I know you're there," she rasped, "Show yourself."
"H-Hello?" I said, cautiously picking my way through the dense fog that was beginning to form.
"Come closer," The voice whispered. Obidently, I continued forward until I came upon a clearing. What I saw there jolted me enough to nearly rouse me from my slumber.
I saw a blue-gray cat bound to the dead forest floor by thick, brown roots. Her eyes were glazed over and sightless. She had three long scratches on her cheek, one deep gash in her flank, and a gaping hole in her neck. Her fur was ruffled and dirty.
"Look at me," She rasped. "Look what that kit did to me." I was astonished at the sight. "They'll do the same to you, Spottedstar."
"What? N-no they won't! I'll make sure of it! I'll-"
"Oh, stop it," She growled, "No matter how hard you try, one day, you'll end up like me."
"A brave and powerful warrior?" I asked.
"No, you idiot," she sneered, "Dead and bound to the goddamn ground forever!"
"I'll kill them all before they set a claw on me," I declared, "I will not give in to them!"
"There's no way," She whispered, "The future is inevitable and cannot be undone."
"No! Birdsong, I'll... Just... Just wait!"
"Heh... Look who's begging now." And with that, I jerked awake, head swinging wildly from side to side. I have to get out of here. They can't do this to me, or my clan. I won't let them. Without giving a second thought, I hastily bounded out of my den and almost fell from the rocky outcropping just outside of it. I half slid-half tumbled down the side of it and landed with an audible thump. Shaking the dust and scraps of grass from my fur, I quickly padded over to Shortstep who was still keeping watch.
"You've been a good warrior, Shortstep. Don't fuck up my clan." Without giving him time to reply, I dashed off into the snowy, dark forest before me. This would be my home now.
BrambleClan will rue the day they drove the leader of BloodClan out of his own home.
that's it for now. review!
