Chapter Four
Skulldust whirled around to find his son. A malicious look spread across his face. "I think we'll solve both our problems…"
Bone's eyes traveled from one Clan cat to the other, horror clear in his eyes.
"Bone, this is my son, Spatterpaw…"
"You son?! Why, HellClan itself must posses you!"
The apprentice walked over slowly, confused but trying not to dwell on it.
"Spatterpaw," purred Skulldust, "there's someone I want you to meet. He's important, so make sure you feel…honored…"
Uncertain pride unfolded itself in the apprentice, but hadn't Bone mentioned something about HellClan? And…what was it the rogue had said, describing this important cat? 'Even the dogs are worried'…
"Sure," the young tom heard himself say.
As they crossed the border, Bone began to fidget, and jump at every movement.
"Ignore him…" the father murmured in honeyed tones. "He's always a bit like a kittypet when it comes to courage." Skulldust winked and the group came to a clearing.
The place was littered with cats and dogs, who seemed to be, more or less, living in harmony. A dark cave was visible on one side, but everyone seemed to be avoiding the shelter. With dread, Spatterpaw realized that was exactly where they were headed.
A deep growl greeted them.
"Ah, Saliva! I've brought you a present. And," Skulldust added, still in that falsely sweet voice, "I'll give it to you if you stop, ah, murdering our troops in your special, special way."
Bone shivered, and Spatterpaw was beginning to share his wish to run and hide.
"Bring him," came a horrible voice.
Numbness had settled in the dark grey tom, and he did nothing to prevent his father from sliding him towards the black mouth of the cave.
"He is small…Why do you expect me to accept this deal?"
Crazy would be an understatement of the expression of Skulldust's features. "Because…" he cackled, "he's my own blood. Direct line, in fact."
The…thing…came closer to them. "Your…son? Why, you might be more twisted than I am."
"And that's saying something…"
Spatterpaw glanced at bone, who immediately seemed to regret his mutterings. He thinks he next… realized the apprentice.
Skulldust continued to chuckle.
The one named Saliva came into the light.
Spatterpaw gasped at the sheer size of the cat. Dried blood was caked around its muzzle and paws, and the apprentice didn't think it was from prey. Well, at least normal prey.
"I accept," Saliva growled.
The apprentice forgot to breathe. I'm being sold by my father…
And he would have been, if Bone hadn't knocked him back.
"I saved you, now you save me." A gash bloodied his leg. He wouldn't get far without help.
Saliva hissed, and moved with unnatural speed towards them.
The light grey tom watched in delight. His green eyes shone with an inner light. A light that was built upon pure hatred.
Spatterpaw glanced at this repulsive scene before leaping onto the cannibal's back. A second passed for the apprentice to make his decision, then he put his plan in action. This ends tonight…
He was never sure, later, how he had steering the giant towards his father.
However, the pain and horror in Skulldust's eyes as the laughter drained away is as vivid as if he was trapped in a hall of mirrors, with that sight glaring at him from every direction.