Not Yet Lost: I

by DarkMatter242

A body turns up on the moor between PineClan and OakClan. More bodies follow and it becomes clear this is more than a simple clan feud. Shadowswipe is tasked with finding the killer, but as his investigation progresses it becomes apparent that something much darker is at play. And it has deep-running consequences for all the clans. Descriptive violence throughout.

Prologue

Ugh! Where is she?

Browntail was beginning to consider turning back and returning the warmth of his nest in OakClan. The persistent, cold drizzle had soddened the ground and Browntail's legs were now covered in mud as he squelched his way toward the large oak in the clearing.

Is this not where she said to meet? Browntail glanced around but saw no sign of the she-cat. Perhaps she meant the large dead oak by the moorland.

Reluctantly, Browntail set off again, trudging through the forest, which was remarkably still and lacking the usual signs of night-time creatures. A slight sense of unease began to crawl up his spine. Something felt off. He got the sense that he was being stalked, but he could see nothing behind him, only the lonely trees and the dense black of night.

This better be worth it. He thought grimly.

Browntail finally reached the edge of the forest and could just about see the dead oak not far ahead. The almost full moon glistened in the sky, but there didn't seem to be any stars at all. That was odd. He could have sworn there were stars in the sky when he had set off.

Suddenly, Browntail's pelt stood on end, his body warning him of danger. His head snapped round to look behind him, but all his eyes found was empty forest. He was sure he had heard something.

When he looked back towards the dead oak, he spied the figure of a cat sitting at its base. Thinking it was the she-cat he had come to meet, he began to make his way over eagerly, but soon stopped in his tracks. Although it was too dark to make out the cat clearly, he could tell that they were a different shape to the she-cat. No, this cat was a tom.

"Do not be afraid." The stranger said in a strangely gentle tone. "Enlightenment is upon you. The path to salvation lies ahead."

What the...

Browntail barely had time to finish the thought before he felt claws tear through his throat. He began spluttering and gasping for air as blood gushed from the wound. His legs buckled and he crumpled to the ground, writhing around in agony and alarm. He could see the blood-stained paws of the cat who had snuck up on him and weakly attempted to swipe at them. His movements slowed and soon ceased entirely as his grip on life quickly slipped away.