Silenced Nights - wc

OSCAR/15

     My heart pounded in my chest. Ever since I saw that... thing two nights ago, every sound puts me on edge. Maybe she's following me. She was a slow runner, so surely she wouldn't be able to catch up? After all, I have set a decent pace!

     Exhaustion pounded in my paws as I pawed my way above a hill. I stared into the distance, seeing the rising run. "Getting up early is hard... ugh, stupid Halo," I hissed, glaring at the ground beneath me as I padded on.

     After I padded forwards for some more, I found something that was different from everything I had seen since I set out. Rocks, clustered together.

     "Okay, maybe not as exciting-" I murmured, but I stopped as I saw a cluster of tall grass just farther down the hill. I jumped down, tumbling over myself as I approached it. With a yelp as a rock grazed my paw a bit, I soon found myself comfortable, sitting in the tall grass.

     "So... comfy," I purred, letting out a giggle as I captured each grass in my paws.

     "Nope. I disagree," A cat meowed behind me. I flipped myself over, eyes wide as I came nose to nose with a cat with black fur and curious green eyes. A yelp was torn from my jaws as I scrambled away. He waited, staring at me in confusion.

     "Another one of you... mangy... dirty...-" I started hissing.

     "Hey, my pelt is actually incredibly clean. I groom it every day..." He shifted his position, glaring at me. We both turned around as a voice pierced the air.

     "OTTERSPRING! WHAT IN SHININGCLAN'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?" Another cat, perched upon a rock, yowled, another one peeking out at us from behind them.

     "Mossypuddle, calm yourself... it's one of those 'Softtalons' that the elders talk about! Just look at him... so scared, so..." He giggled, padding to my side and brushing his tail along my shoulder. I shivered, instantly leaning away, yet frozen.

     "Shiningclan, not everything is a game... Bring him up here and we can see why he's here. Maybe Shadeclan sent him. Maybe he's their little spy," She hissed. Otterspring let out a grumpy sigh, taking a step back.

     "Come along, now. Wouldn't want any cat to hurt you, now would he?" He purred, staring at me expectantly.

     "No! I'm not letting you murderers take me away and kill me! I won't-" My sounds were muffled as he picked me up by my collar and started dragging me. I yelped, clawing at the ground as it pulled helplessly against my neck.

     He dropped me with an audible sigh. "The only murderer here is YOU because you're killing my precious time doing nothing! Stop fighting, and get into the camp!" He stared menacingly down at me. I knew I shouldn't take such disrespect, but, yet again, I wasn't asking for a death wish!

     "Fine!" I scowled, jumping to my paws. "Where is your... miserable camp?"

     He tilted his head and laughed before padding away. I shrugged it off, turning towards Mossypuddle. She sighed, "Come along. Just follow me."

     I glanced down at the ground, watching my pawsteps as I stumbled along. As we dipped down under the rocks, I resisted the urge to dig into the ground. 

     It's dark. I can barely move. I'm going to die. Why would I die like this?

     My throat clogged up as I lost sight of Mossypuddle. As I clawed my way through the tunnel, hoping for some higher being to ease me of my pain, I tumbled out into open space. I looked up, seeing Mossypuddle not very far away, with that curious cat next to her.

     I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on me. I felt my fur itch, and I wriggled uncomfortably, sending nervous glances towards these weird, gangly, messy-furred cats that littered the area. I shut my eyes, sliding to my paws, practically accepting my fate.