They laughed

They mocked

They sneered at my name

At my face

At my heart

What was wrong with me?

Even my own littermates hated me

Why?

What had I done wrong?

I was right to leave my house

I was right to leave my old life behind

Life is much tougher this way

And I like it

These cats respect me

They guard me

They feed me

They protect me

I feel power in my paws

Like I could rule over everything

Then, these cats walk in

Forest stench clings to their pelt like burrs

I recognize Boulder

Traitor!

But the dark tabby seems familiar

They want me to fight

They offer me power over the forest

I like this, so I accept

But the battle was a failure!

I lost

All my pride was gone

I was killed

What had I done?

-Scourge