The day had finally come. It was time to search for the black tom. After wishing Mosspelt, Smokesong, and Hawkmask farewell, Tanglestar began her journey to the cave.
As Tanglestar traveled through the forest with the hot Greenleaf sun beating down on her back, her mind began to swirl with what ifs. What if she didn't find the stone? What if the tom didn't have the stone anymore? What if… she didn't come back?
Tanglestar shook the thought from her mind as she trotted through the forest. She would come back, even if it were in two days or more.
The sun was just falling behind the horizon when Tanglestar reached the cave. On the way, she had taken a detour to hunt, and feared that she would reach the cave after nightfall because of that. That didn't turn out to be the case.
Tanglestar scented the air as she approached the cave. The tom's scent was stale, and the brown creature's odor was almost non- existent. Cautiously, Tanglestar ventured into the cave.
The stone ground was cold under her paws, and the leader shivered at the thought of sleeping on it. There had to be some moss somewhere…
Tanglestar explored the shallow cave, and sure enough, wedged in a corner, was a pile of stale moss, probably from a cat that had stayed there long ago.
She began her usual night ritual, circling on the moss, shaping it. Once satisfied, she laid down, curled up, and fell sound asleep.
Feeling a cold breeze ruffle her fur, Tanglestar opened one eye, expecting to see the darkness of the cave. Instead, a pair of green glowing eyes stared back at her.
Sorry it's a short chapter, I will update more often since I don't have school. Hope you enjoyed this chapter of Cheating the Stars!