A/N: Finally! Here's the next story. I'm very proud of this one. It is a little gorier than the first one. You've been warned.
I must also explain something. This world is the cause of the sun crashing into the Earth. All the animals were mutated in some way. These cats grew in size and can talk to different species of animals. Thus, they know what a temple is. They also live by a stricter set of rules than the other Clans.
Thanks to Primrosebutterfly and The Spirit that Comes at Night for the reviews!
Now, enough of me. Enjoy!
Characters
Shredstorm – Light gray tom with green eyes
Redwind – Ginger she-cat with umber eyes
Twistedfang – Tan tom with blue eyes and a malformed tooth
Breezestar – Black tom with white stripes and yellow eyes
Hollytail – Tortoiseshell she-cat with light yellow eyes
Snowstorm – White she-cat with blue eyes
Swamppool – Black tom with wavy silver stripes and dark green eyes
Icestar – Pale gray she-cat with icy blue eyes (Leader of BoneClan)
Duststar – Sandy brown tom with emerald green eyes (Leader of DesertClan)
Hiddenstorm – Ginger and white tom with pale amber eyes (Leader of HiddenClan)
Eaglefeather – Dark brown tom with lighter stripes and umber eyes (Deputy of BoneClan)
Redclaw – Dark ginger tom with pale green eyes
So, young kits, come to hear my story have you? I must warn you, everything I am going to tell you actually happened. This story is not for the faint of heart. I advise you to leave now if you think you can't handle it.
There was no moon in the sky that night and clouds covered the stars. A light gray tom wandered through the forest, looking for any sign of his lost Clanmate. She had been missing for almost three days. This tom was her mate.
He had scoured the territory for any sign of her, but to no avail. He found no trace of her familiar scent or her ginger coat. He caught no glimpse of her umber eyes or heard her sweet voice.
The tom wove his way through the undergrowth. As he worked his way through a patch of thorns, he heard something. He pricked his ears as he heard it again. It seemed to be saying his name.
Shredstorm.
Shredstorm thought the voice sounded familiar but it was so muffled, he couldn't be sure. He had finally worked his way out of the thorns when the voice sounded up ahead.
Shredstorm, this way.
The tom then realized where he recognized the voice from. It was his mate Redwind's voice! Shredstorm followed the voice through the trees, eager to find his mate.
Hurry!
Shredstorm quickened his pace. Soon, he was racing through the dark forest, searching the shadows for his lost mate. He only stopped when he came to a small clearing.
Up here.
Redwind's voice was coming from up in a tall pine tree on the other side of the clearing. Shredstorm took a step forward. "Redwind! Please, stop! Come back with me, we all miss you."
Come with me Shredstorm, you will be happier with me.
Shredstorm reluctantly followed his mate's voice. He didn't want to leave the Clan, like Redwind was implying, but he couldn't bear the thought of living without her. He scaled the tree and waited for the voice's next command.
Instead of hearing the voice, he saw his mate, her pelt seeming to glow in the faint light. Shredstorm followed his mate along the branches of the tree. She led him from tree to tree until they came to the pine overhanging the camp.
They ran along a branch until Redwind disappeared off the end. Shredstorm couldn't stop in time. He went over the edge. He saw with horror, his mate's decaying body hanging in the branches of a nearby oak tree.
His descent was stopped abruptly by the ivy vine snare he had unwittingly run into. His life was over with the sharp crack of his neck breaking.
His body was left hanging and swaying in the wind.
"We can't find him anywhere," meowed a tan tom. They had searched everywhere for their missing Clanmates. All they had found was Shredstorm's scent in a clearing. No other clues were found.
"What could have happened to them?" a black tom mumbled to himself, then to the other tom, "Keep searching, Twistedfang, and ask around on border patrols. They may know where our warriors have gone."
Twistedfang nodded, "Yes Breezestar." He stalked away to gather cats for a border patrol.
"Oh, and can you tell Hollytail to lead the other border patrol?" Breezestar called after him.
Twistedfang flicked his tail to show he had heard. He entered the warriors den and called out to Hollytail, the Clan deputy. "Breezestar wants you to lead a border patrol along the DesertClan border."
"Okay, who should I take?" Hollytail asked.
"Breezestar didn't say, so I guess you can take whoever you want," replied Twistedfang.
The tortoiseshell she-cat rolled her eyes and prodded some cats awake to do the patrol. Twistedfang stared after her, feeling very embarrassed. Everyone knew he liked Hollytail, but sadly she didn't like him back.
He woke up Snowstorm and Swamppool for his patrol. They groggily followed him out of the camp and towards the BoneClan border.
The sun was just coming over the treetops as they left the camp behind. The wind was pushing them forward. Twistedfang thought he caught a whiff of crowfood coming from behind them, but it was so faint he couldn't be sure.
As they pushed their way through the undergrowth, Twistedfang noticed that both Swamppool and Snowstorm were looking very on edge. Their eyes darted from side to side, as if to scan the undergrowth for danger. Twistedfang could see unease in Snowstorm's blue eyes.
"What's wrong with you two?" Twistedfang finally asked. Swamppool jumped at the sound of his voice.
"N-nothing," stammered Snowstorm.
Twistedfang tipped his head to one side, his eyes curious. What could be so terrifying that they wouldn't say although every cat knows something's up?
They walked along through the sparse undergrowth in silence for a while, Twistedfang's curiosity becoming more unbearable by the second. They were almost to the border when he could bear it no more.
"I know something is wrong. What is it?" Snowstorm just looked at him with sorrow in her eyes. Swamppool's green eyes widened at the question, as if it was too frightening to answer.
Snowstorm sighed, "We might as well tell him. He will find out soon enough," her voice was resigned as she said this, "You know how our mother is the former medicine cat?"
Twistedfang nodded. Everyone knew the story of the warrior-turned-medicine-cat and how she had two litters of kits before she took on her new role.
"Well, she received an omen. It foretold a disaster, a horrific disaster that cannot be stopped," Snowstorm shuddered, "StarClan declared 'Watch the skies for the ones who hang.' She told only me and Swamppool, us being her only kits still alive."
Twistedfang's blue eyes widened as he listened to Snowstorm's story, "What do you think the prophecy means?" he asked.
Snowstorm shook her white head. Swamppool, who had been pacing while Snowstorm was talking, suddenly bolted away from them and towards the camp, "Fernheart! I'm coming Fernheart!"
Without sparing each other a glance, Twistedfang and Snowstorm raced after the black and silver tom. He kept shouting the same name over and over as he ran, "Fernheart!" They both knew Fernheart, Swamppool's mate, was dead. She had died in a forest fire over four seasons ago.
Twistedfang and Snowstorm tried to catch up to Swamppool, weaving through the tree trunks and dodging the occasional bush. It was no use. Swamppool was one of the fastest cats in the Clan and was almost impossible to beat in a race.
They gave up, panting in a grove of oak trees. Twistedfang sat down and tried to catch his breath. They heard an eerie snap echo through the trees, like a branch breaking. It came from where Swamppool had disappeared. Snowstorm gazed at Twistedfang and he saw worry swimming in their blue depths.
"I hope that mouse-brain is okay," murmured Snowstorm.
"Me too. Let's just hope that branch or whatever it was didn't fall on him," mewed Twistedfang, "Let's finish the border patrol."
All was peaceful along the BoneClan border. As they made their way back to the camp, Snowstorm wondered if her brother had gone back to the camp yet. She knew he was still mourning the loss of his mate, she hadn't known it was this bad though.
She followed Twistedfang through the trees. He had been very quiet since Swamppool had run off. She wondered if he was alright. Snowstorm decided against asking him and pushed her curiosity away.
As they entered through the thorn barrier, Hollytail spotted them and ran to meet them, "Thank StarClan you're okay!" she meowed, obviously relieved. Then, she stiffened, "Where's Swamppool?" her voice was urgent.
Snowstorm felt a trickle of fear shoot down her spine, "Isn't he here, in the camp?" she asked, her pelt prickling. She knew the answer before Hollytail told her.
"No, why?" Twistedfang recounted what had happened with Swamppool. Hollytail's pelt began to fluff up, "Oh great, just great. Him and Darkfang are missing." She began to pace anxiously, "What are we going to do now? All our warriors are disappearing and DesertClan is threatening to attack."
Twistedfang's eyes widened with shock, "They are really going to do it?" Snowstorm had no idea what had provoked DesertClan, but rumors started by younger warriors stated that some NightClan cats had been stealing prey. Only the senior warriors were allowed to know what had caused the attack threat.
Hollytail nodded. She opened her jaws to speak as Breezestar stalked up behind her. She closed them and turned to face the leader. Breezestar's black and white pelt was fluffed up with anxiety and his yellow eyes betrayed his fear. Snowstorm was shocked that the powerful leader was afraid. He was the strongest leader in the forest! He shouldn't have to fear anything.
He led Hollytail and Twistedfang over to a secluded corner of the camp where no cat could listen in on their conversation. Snowstorm, not knowing what else to do, padded towards the warriors den. She was at the entrance when a sudden gust of wind blew in her face. It carried a scent. The scent of crowfood. It seemed to be coming from the tree above her, above the camp.
Her mother's omen rang in her ears. Snowstorm looked to the skies and found a most horrific sight. A cat's body, half decayed its face rotted, hanging from a vine. It swayed eerily in the wind, the breeze making the corpse sway and turn. Watch the skies for the ones who hang. The prophecy became strikingly clear in an instant.
Snowstorm backed away, her gaze still fixed firmly on the twisting, turning corpse. It was oddly hypnotizing watching it move back and forth in the wind. She began to hear voices. They whispered to her, convincing her to strike down her leader. When she finally gained the willpower to tear her eyes away from the body in the tree, she was almost to where Twistedfang was talking to Breezestar and Hollytail. The voices faded away as Snowstorm turned her nervous blue eyes to them.
Snowstorm dipped her head to them as their conversation broke off, "Breezestar, I think there is something you need to see," She whispered. The tom got to his paws and gestured for Snowstorm to lead him to whatever it was that was so urgent. Hollytail and Twistedfang followed the leader's suit. Snowstorm led them to the entrance of the warriors den and motioned with her tail for them to look up.
Hollytail gasped in horror when she located the swaying body. It was revolting to see a cat killed in such a manner as this. She silently took in the rotted off face and slowly decaying body. It was impossible to tell who this cat had been in life, for the body was rotted beyond recognition.
Glancing over at the others, she noticed a strange look in Snowstorm's eyes. Her eyes were unfocused and blank of all emotion. Snowstorm was gazing to the sky, seeming to look for something. When her eyes met the corpse, she stiffened.
Snowstorm lashed out, her unsheathed claws meeting Breezestar's flank. The tom spun around and stared at Snowstorm as if she had grown wings, "Wh-why did you do that?" Breezestar meowed in sheer astonishment. Snowstorm stared back, unfazed by her leader's question.
Hollytail began to wonder if the white she-cat had lost her mind. Attacking a Clan leader was considered treason. The penalty for this crime was execution at the next Gathering. Hollytail shuddered at the thought of the execution. It was the job of the deputy to perform this ritual.
Twistedfang had watched the exchange with wide, startled eyes. He realized that Snowstorm had practically committed suicide by attacking Breezestar. Hollytail turned her attention back to the black and white tom.
"…I'm sorry Snowstorm but we have to punish you," he was talking in a soft tone to Snowstorm. She had torn her gaze away from the rotting body and was now staring fearfully at Breezestar.
"B-but I didn't do anything! I swear!" She backed away, her blue eyes pools of fear and her pawsteps shaky. Twistedfang stalked up behind her and stopped her retreat with a soft snarl. Hollytail was mildly surprised at the tom's sudden personality change. When she peered into his eyes she saw… joy?
Why would a warrior rejoice the conviction of another? Didn't he feel any sympathy for a cat who had just been sentenced to death? Hollytail realized she had been staring and tore her gaze away from Twistedfang. She resolved to ignore this unsettling change of personality.
Twistedfang herded Snowstorm towards the camp entrance, obviously heading for the Cave. The Cave was where NightClan kept their prisoners. It was dark and reeked of crowfood. Some cats died in there before being released to go home or be executed. For Snowstorm, it was the latter.
"Hollytail, help Twistedfang get the prisoner to the Cave. We wouldn't want her to escape before her trial," meowed Breezestar. Hollytail only nodded solemnly and dashed out of the camp to catch up with Twistedfang.
He was nearly there when she caught up. Their prisoner was trembling with fear and despair. Her blue eyes were orbs of sadness. Hollytail felt a wave of pity well up inside her. She steeled herself against this emotion. The white she-cat had lashed out at their leader! She deserved her punishment!
"Hollytail! Come help me with the stone!" Twistedfang's call snapped the tortoiseshell she-cat out of her conflicted thoughts. She turned and bounded over to help the tan tom push the boulder away from the entrance.
They shoved against the stone with all their strength, grunting as the stone began to shift out of the way. Still pushing against the stone, Twistedfang ordered Snowstorm over to help them. The trembling she-cat wasn't of much use, but it was just enough to roll the stone out of the way.
He then turned and rammed into Snowstorm's shoulder, shoving her into the dank smelling cave that was hidden by the boulder. She whimpered in pain as she staggered into the hole. Hollytail and Twistedfang rolled the stone back into place with much effort.
They trudged back to camp, Hollytail feeling miserable and disturbed. Her tail dragged in the pine needles and she hung her head low. Twistedfang on the other paw seemed as indifferent as if all they had done was gone for a leisurely hunt. They arrived at camp with no problems and reported to Breezestar.
That night as Hollytail curled up in her nest to go to sleep a powerful wave of despair washed over her and chilling wails rang in her ears. Her fur stood on end and she felt as if she couldn't move. As suddenly as it had begun, it faded away leaving Hollytail shaken and disturbed as she fell into a fitful sleep.
Stone grinded against stone as the boulder slowly blotted out the light from the entrance as well as any hope Snowstorm had of being spared. She didn't remember swiping at Breezestar. In fact, she didn't remember anything after the moment she laid eyes on that twisting, turning corpse the second time.
Her white fur was spiked with fear and her eyes searched the suffocating darkness for any spark of light that may be cutting through the darkness. She sat there for what seemed like an eternity, knowing what was to happen to her.
Snowstorm finally mustered the strength to search for anything to keep her warm in that dank, wet hole. Cautiously setting one paw in front of the other she slowly made her way around the Cave. Her paws brushed against something soft. She bent down to sniff it only to jerk back in horror and disgust.
It was the pelt of a cat.
How in the name of StarClan has it survived like this? She wondered. It was not connected to anything. Not even bones. Becoming too exhausted to care, Snowstorm curled up on the pelt and fell into a deep sleep.
Falling, falling. The sensation of falling was the only thing that registered in her muddled mind. It felt as if she was tumbling head over tail into an endless abyss of darkness. Yet, she was not frightened. She was enveloped in a blanket of calm reassurance.
The dream changed. Now, instead of falling, she was running. She was sprinting through the treetops. The white she-cat felt a sense of urgency pushing her forward. She thought she was following someone.
There was a flash of black and silver ahead. Not in control of her body she yowled to the other creature, "Swamppool! Swamppool wait! We've been looking for you, come back with me!"
But I'm so much happier up here. I know you would be too.
The voice was not much more than a whisper on the wind but to the she-cat it was as clear as water, "I don't know Swamppool. I'd miss the Clan," she meowed, still leaping from tree to tree.
They mean nothing to us Snowstorm, nothing.
The whisper became persistant. It was oddly hypnotizing hearing her brother's voice in this tone. Snowstorm thought about this, still running. She didn't notice when she ran straight into a deadly ivy noose.
Before she knew it, Swamppool was gone and she was racing toward the edge of a branch, with nothing within leaping distance. She couldn't stop and ran straight off the edge. Her descent came to an abrupt halt as the ivy noose closed around her neck and a loud Snap! resounded through the forest.
The last thing Snowstorm heard was a mrrow of maniacal laughter stir her ear fur.
It was the night of the Gathering. Cats followed their leaders to the old human temple. It was in decent condition, considering how much damage had been caused by Emoria's creation. Inside, was an old gnarled and twisted tree. This is where the leaders made their announcements.
In front of the tree was where the executions took place. It was a ledge type thing that rose off the ground. It was made of old, crumbling stone.
Cats entered through the crumbling archway. NightClan was the first to make their entrance into the temple. Next to arrive was DesertClan. The cats already there shied away from the newcomers and tension crackled like lightning between the two groups.
HiddenClan came next. They spread out and began to mingle with the others. Their presence seemed to ease the tension noticeably. Lastly, came BoneClan. They strode through the entrance with their heads held high and their fur shining.
Breezestar leaped onto a low hanging branch of the tree and yowled, "All are present, let the Gathering begin!" The other leaders quickly made their way to the tree. A pale gray she-cat leaped onto the branch next to Breezestar's.
A sandy brown tom and a ginger and white tom soon followed suit, "Greetings Icestar, Duststar, and Hiddenstorm. Prey seems to be running well," greeted Breezestar.
Hiddenstorm dipped his head, "It is an honor to be here as leader. Although the Clan will mourn the death of Hiddenpool for many seasons."
Hiddenstorm sat on his branch, waiting for the other leaders to give their reports. It was custom that leaders spoke according to age. Being the oldest, Breezestar spoke first.
"We have lost a few of our warriors this moon; they went off on their own and never came back. I will not accuse anyone of kidnapping," He began, "Yet. Otherwise, prey is running well. Unfortunately, I must report that one warrior, Snowstorm, has committed an act of treason by lashing out at me," Breezestar broke off and stepped back.
Icestar of BoneClan spoke next, "I do not have much to report. Prey is running well. I regret to inform you that we too have an execution to carry out," The she-cat paused, pain swimming in her blue eyes, "Redclaw had murdered one of his Clanmates. May Lilystream rest in peace."
Duststar and Hiddenstorm had nothing to report and the executions began. These went by the severity of the crime, worst to least. Redclaw was to die first.
The deputy, Eaglefeather, leaped onto the platform. Redclaw was shoved onto the stone ledge. Eaglefeather was a brown streak as he leaped onto Redclaw's back. He dug in his claws and proceeded to shred the fur off the red tom's back.
Redclaw tried to throw off his executor but the brown tom was too heavy for him. He fell to the ground under the deputy's weight with a snarl. The red tom was shoved to the ground, his belly exposed. Eaglefeather stood above him his umber eyes flashing.
He raised a paw and with claws unsheathed slashed through Redclaw's stomach, just deep enough to split it open. It was not deep enough for a killing blow. The red fur split and the contents of the tom's stomach began to spill onto the ground as Redclaw yowled in agony.
Another strike took the tom's eye. A snap of Eaglefeather's jaws took part of his tail. In all the time the deputy took, Redclaw could not retaliate because of his stomach wounds. Blood trickled out of his now empty eye socket and out the end of his tail.
Next, Redclaw's forepaw was grasped firmly and yanked mercilessly until a loud Pop! sounded and the red tom shrieked in agony, his remaining pale green eye shimmering with fear and pain. Eaglefeather only let out a purr of amusement.
The brown deputy thought this murderer deserved this for what he had done to Lilystream. He looked Redclaw straight in the eye and whispered, "This is what you deserve, you mangy crowfood eater. You're a filthy murderer and this is what we do to your kind."
Sorrow clouded the other tom's eye, "I agree with you that murderers deserve this, but as I have said before, it wasn't me who did that," Redclaw's voice was strong despite the agony that burned inside him, "I saw you. I saw you kill her that night. You are the true murderer Eaglefeather and mark my words; it won't be a secret forever."
Eaglefeather's eyes flashed with rage and… what seemed to be fear and regret. Did he regret his actions or was it all a ploy?
The first execution was over with a swipe of a paw. Claws cut deep into the throat of the "murderer" ripping open the windpipe and ending the life of Redclaw.
No cat had dared speak during the execution. One cat had overheard the toms' conversation. This cat knew he had to keep this secret or he would be the next one dead.
Snowstorm was to be killed next. Hollytail sprang onto the platform, sorrow clouding her yellow eyes. The tortoiseshell she-cat hated doing this to cats. This happened to be her third execution, and her most merciful. She had been forced to perform the same kind of grisly execution Redclaw had had to the other two.
Snowstorm was forced onto the stone platform by Twistedfang and Eaglefeather. She cowered in the middle of the ledge, her jaws forming words that would never be heard. Hollytail took a shuddering breath and slowly walked over to Snowstorm until their noses were almost touching.
She raised her paw, claws unsheathed to deal the killing blow. It began its descent, aimed for the throat. Hollytail's claws touched the fur and –
She stopped as Snowstorm leaped back and fell to the ground, shrieking, "Help! Help! They're dead! Dead! She hanged them from the trees!" Foam came from Snowstorm's jaws and flecked the ground in front of her.
"He summoned her! He summoned her to kill us!"
Hollytail stepped forward and whispered softly, "Who, Snowstorm? Who summoned her?" The she-cat stared at her with blank eyes and her shrieking ceased. Foam still came from her lips and she started to shake.
"I-It w-was…" Snowstorm's shaking faded and the light drained from her eyes. She was dead. The leaders gazed from their tree with wide, startled eyes as the other cats began murmuring anxiously.
Finally, Duststar broke the silence, "This Gathering is over! Return to your camps," He leaped out of the tree and gathered his cats, "DesertClan, we are leaving."
The other leaders began to group their cats together and travel home. Hollytail followed Breezestar out of the temple and toward their territory.
The tom looked disturbed but did not share his thoughts with his deputy. Hollytail decided to ignore this and stared straight ahead as they padded back to camp.
The trouble started the moment they entered the forest. One cat, a brown and white she-cat, kept casting glances into the trees, as if she was looking for someone. This went on until they were halfway home.
Then, she bolted. She was yowling, "Gorsepaw wait for me!" Soon, she was swallowed by the darkness. Breezestar sighed and called Hollytail forward.
"Go after Briarfoot and bring her to the camp," he meowed. Hollytail nodded and beckoned Twistedfang and a dark brown tom named Mudfang with her tail. They separated from the group and followed her into the trees.
The trouble did not end there. Soon after they left the group, Mudfang darted off without a sound. Minutes later, a Snap! echoed through the forest. Hollytail"s fur rose along her spine at the sound.
Twistedfang was also looking nervous. His eyes darted from side to side and his fur was on end. Hollytail decided to ask him what was wrong.
"What's wrong Twistedfang?" The tom jumped at her voice. He stopped and looked at her.
"I keep hearing voices, voices of our lost Clanmates. They want me to follow the sound into the forest," His voice quivered when he said this. It was clear he was scared of these voices.
Hollytail laid her tail across his shoulders comfortingly, "It's okay. Let's find Briarfoot and go home. Then, you can get some rest, maybe that will get rid of the voices." Twistedfang nodded and followed her as she continued into the forest.
Suddenly, a wave of sleepiness washed over her and she slumped to the ground, fast asleep.
When she opened her eyes, she was standing in a swamp. Her tortoiseshell paws felt sodden and heavy. When she looked down, Hollytail realized she was paw-deep in quicksand. Her chest tightened in fear but she didn't dare move for fear of sinking farther in.
An unfamiliar scent hit her nose as a cat stalked into view, "Greetings Hollytail," It spoke in a silky, feminine voice, "I have come to make a compromise."
The newcomer was a white she-cat with piercing green eyes. Those eyes glittered with malice. There was something else about the cat that unnerved Hollytail and made her want to disappear from view.
"What kind of proposition?" asked Hollytail, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"I will quit making your cats 'disappear' if," The other cat paused, "you kill your leader."
Hollytail gasped in shock. This cat was practically asking her to commit suicide! "Why do you want him dead?"
The she-cat's eyes flared with sudden anger, "That fox-heart ruined my life! It was like living in the Dark Forest."
Hollytail couldn't imagine wise, gentle Breezestar ruining another cat's life, no matter how hard she tried, "How?" I have to keep her distracted as long as possible.
"I was an apprentice, about to receive my warrior name. He was also an apprentice about to get his name. I was so happy, so proud of myself that day," The white she-cat sighed, "Until I got my name that is. He received the name Breezestrike and the leader, Viperstar, turned to me," Her fur fluffed up in anger as she recalled what happened next.
"I was Lakepaw at the time. But, do you know the name he gave me?" The cat's voice was filled with anger and sadness, "He named me Shatteredspirit! Why he was so cruel, I may never know. But form that day forth, that heap of crowfood Breezestrike taunted me mercilessly about my name."
Hollytail couldn't help but show some sympathy for Shatteredspirit. Such a cruel name! But that didn't justify her asking Hollytail to murder her leader.
"Soon, the whole Clan was in on it! Even my own littermates teased me. It soon became more than taunting. It escalated to the point of attacks. One of these attacks was what led to my death," Shatteredspirit's voice shook with rage.
Hollytail felt herself sink just a little farther into the quicksand.
"I've been plotting ever since. And now, I am putting my plan into action. First, kill off some of your Clanmates and, if you accept my offer, now the death of the one who started it all," she finished. Shatteredspirit sauntered over to where Hollytail was stuck, "Do you accept, or would you rather die?"
Hollytail knew exactly what her reply would be since she first heard this 'compromise', "No. I refuse. Go ahead and kill me. At least I will die with some honor," she spat in defiance.
"Very well. But it is not me who shall kill you; it will be the one who is helping me fulfill my plans."
The world around Hollytail disappeared as she awoke. She was high up in a tree. She heard a mrrow of laughter behind her and whipped around to see her murderer. Her gasp of shock was cut off as her throat was torn open and she fell off the branch to the ground, dead.
That is my story young kits. Who killed Hollytail you ask? Ah, I see you remember her now. Yes, this only happened a few moons ago. No one knows who the killer is. Except me of course.
Who is the killer? Tell me who you think the killer is in a review. I'm going to reveal their identity in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed and don't forget to review!
-Creekrunner
