Chapter 18: Drama Class
Toastfire was really tired these days, but he couldn't sleep. Whenever he tried to rest, all he could see was Breadclaw, the dead corpses of those the Exiled Demon had killed, and the kits. The tom had mentioned it to his mate, but she was too caught up in her own problems to really help. He didn't blame her, though.
Toastfire heard Stevehawk's voice in the clearing of camp, and he decided to go help his father. "Okay Salmoncreek... You take Hardwhisker, Paleale, Dollpaw, Barrypaw, and Robbiepaw for training... Lizardsneeze, take Ricetooth and Moonshine. Go check out the borders, and try to find some prey. Toastfire!"
The tom lifted up his head, and the deputy smiled. "Okay, Toastfire. You're going on a walk with me. You need a break." He said with a serious tone, nudging the dark tabby towards the exit. "Come on now, you need to relax."
"Dad, this is serious. I lost my kits and Breadclaw is still out there."
"We can worry about that later, we've sent more search parties than you could count. You just need one simple break... You haven't slept for days!"
"But... But..."
"No buts. Anyways, I need to talk to you about something."
Toastfire stared blankly at his father, and Stevehawk set his head on the other cat's shoulder, as in a form of hug. "I've been told by Brightlight... That... Um... Breadclaw is attacking very soon..."
"But didn't she already warn you..?"
"Yes, but this time it's different... She said you'll need to become the deputy for us to win. I'm planning on retiring to the elders den. I'll make sure Goodstar chooses you as the next deputy."
Toastfire's eyes widened, tears ran down his cheeks. "I... I don't know what to say... But thank you, dad..." He smiled and cuddled with the blood red tom. Stevehawk comforted his son, and hummed a little song that he easily remember. He had heard Moonshine sing it to her kits. It was called You Are My Sunshine from what he remembered.
The two kin were hugging for a while, until Stevehawk stood up and started to turn around. "Come on, let's get back to camp..." Toastfire nodded and followed the tom. The tabby decided to start a conversation, "Um... Dad? Did you... Love anyone aside from Mom?"
Stevehawk hesitated to speak. "I never loved your mother. But honestly... I liked Goodstar for a short period of time." Toastfire glanced awkwardly at his paws. "You're... Gay?"
"Gay means happy, so yeah."
"That's cool."
"Your mother was mad that I looked at his butt more than hers." Stevehawk chuckled.
Suddenly a gunshot rang out, time began to slow down. Stevehawk's eyes widened at the sound, and he shoved his son onto the ground. A bullet sped by, hitting Stevehawk straight in the side of the head. Blood flew onto Toastfire's face, and the dying body of the deputy fell on top of Toastfire. "Dad! DAD! Nonononono, DAD!" Toastfire moved out from under him, his pelt covered in his father's blood. "Dad! No! Please Starclan, don't take him too! You said you were going to become an elder, live a long happy life! Please, now's not the time to die!" Toastfire sobbed. Through his tears, he could spot a silhouette of a large tom with a gun. The warrior hissed, and stood up. Tears streaming down on his face, Toastfire yelled at his brother.
"I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!"
Breadclaw didn't look dazed, he only smiled creepily. "Now? But dear brother, shouldn't you be defending your camp from my attack? We wouldn't want anymore family deaths! Oh wait..." Breadclaw laughed maniacally as he tossed a corpse onto the ground. Toastfire almost completely shut down at that point. There, at his paws, was his son Stormkit. The white and black tom was mangled and he didn't even look like a cat anymore.
"I was stupid enough to take your kits. So have one of them back. Ciao." Breadclaw said as he ran out of sight, jumping through the tree branches.
Um... That might have been the darkest thing I've ever written, sadly enough. Anyways, I hope you have a good day!
