Chapter 5: Desperate Times
Joann ran all the way across the twoleg place to find the cat she thought could help her and Cat. She was desperate, after all...whatever this Shade Trial was, they were dangerous. She wanted to find out whatever it was so Cat could finally make up his mind, and start realizing that going to ShadowClan was the only way to learn how to control himself. Joann didn't know how she knew this, but she did. And she would help her brother in whatever way possible. Right now, as well as any other time, it didn't matter to Joann whether Cat really did kill their mother. It's not his fault.
After a short while, Joann reached the place where she needed to be. She stopped and sat down for a moment to catch her breath.
"What are you here for?" A deep voice reached her ears, "I already told you to never bother me again unless it was extremely urgent." A dark brown tabby tom appeared from behind an abandoned twoleg den. Large leaves covered both of his eyes, and he navigated by his sense of smell and hearing. He was quiet good at it actually, judging from how quick he noticed Joann.
"I need your help," Joann pleaded, "Just one more time."
The dark brown tom softly laughed. It was vaguely evil, "I told you everything you needed to know about the Clans. You don't need anything else from me."
Joann growled, "You also promised me that if I ever needed more help you would give it to me. Plus, this has nothing to do with the Clans!"
The tom slowly lay down, grunting when he finally landed on the ground, "Joann, sweet young cat, you know that I'm old and it won't be long before my fur turns gray. I lost both of my eyes fighting for my life, and I lost the ability to properly use my legs while running for my life. This is no time for jokes. I don't like them, and they are a waste of words. I know exactly why you are here, and I know exactly how to help you." Joann's eyes lit up for a moment while the tom paused. The he continued, giving the worst information possible, "If you really want to know about the Shade Trials, then you have to talk to someone other than me. I have only heard that they are deadly and very important to a tribe of cats on the other side of the world. Such information does not reach my old ears."
Joann pondered for a moment before hissing, "Then why don't you just find out?!" The tom was shocked by her sudden outburst. He didn't sense her anger like he usually would have, "Just go find someone who would know about the stupid trials and give the information to me!"
"Listen here, Joann." The tom spat back, "I really don't care about whatever you have an interest in, you're just a little bossy. To be honest, you would do well in ShadowClan, because you're attitude is as frosty as your eyes!" Joann scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Every sensible cat knows that ShadowClan is really a bunch of frosty tempered cats who only excel in torturing others!" The tom continued, "So why don't you just go and be your little bossy self and take your brother to the place where we both know you really belong."
Joann scowled at the tom and slowly walked away. She was acting strong, but in reality she was trying not to break down in front of someone she actually trusted. Because, she didn't want to be another victim. She only thought she was doing what was best for Cat, and for her. It's going to be okay...She said to herself, all the way back to where Cat was patiently waiting for her. It will all be okay. Just believe that whatever happens from now on will be okay.
But the dark brown tabby tom with large leaves covered both his eyes was right. She was bossy. She ha a temper. She got mad when some cat who was supposed to give her information let her down. Because of that, she often got tormented by her sources. The cats who gave her the information she needed to either help someone else, or herself. That's when she calls for Cat. Because most likely, even though they know everything else, they don't know about the demon in the abandoned twoleg place. But when he came, he tore them to shreds. Barely leaving a single scrap of fur behind. She didn't spend much time with him, but she had heard rumors that he actually ate the bones of the cats he killed. She didn't know if that was really true, but she really did want to get to know him better. To travel wherever in the world just to know the brother she had who didn't kill his own mother. Joann knew he lost control. When he fought his eyes were crazy. When he wasn't, he looked normal.
If only he really was normal...if only he hadn't been plagued by the visions of none existent bloody water and ground. Then, and only then, would he truly be normal.
But... Joan couldn't help but wonder. What if his normal is all the blood and the red and the joy of killing. Maybe that's just who he is. Maybe there's no reason for the killing, but in his weird nonsensical mind it is normal.
Joann shook her head, there was no way that normal was killing other cats just because they accidentally stepped in your river.
When Joann got back to where Cat was supposed to be waiting, he was gone.
.
.
Now, you might be wondering, why was Joann's point of view wasn't from her directly? Well, I'll tell you. I don't know exactly how her mind works, so I'm basically just making things up as she tells me things from her point of view.
Anyways...the reason I was gone, was because I was invisible! I disappeared into thin air, just watching Joann desperately search for me all over the place. I had to keep from laughing the whole time!
Before you get all crazy, wondering how a simple cat like me could turn invisible, you should know that I'm joking. Even after all I've seen, there's no way that any cat could turn invisible. Although it would be seriously cool to just sneak up on someone and kill them from behind, it's impossible. Sorry.
But seriously, I had no idea where I was. I had tried to follow Joann's scent because I'm very impatient and moody and when I'm moody and impatient I get a little bit angry. Not that I would attack my only family, but I really was going to scold her for not telling me how long she would be gone and where she was going.
I was actually getting pretty close to Joann's scent when I ran into this weird cat with leaves covering his eyes. With his dark brown tabby pelt, I could tell he thought he was better than me. And all that really did was make me angry, because no one was better than me.
And then he gave me a piece of advice that was really helpful. Something that I could only sit and think about. And thinking doesn't usually come easily to me. I just don't do it most of the time. It's quite obvious considering I never let anyone who angers me lives without even considering why they did something wrong. Yeah, really obvious.
I have so much to learn.