WARRIORS ~ Smokey's Adventure

Chapter 14 ~ The Plan Unfolds

Smokey pushed through the thorn bush. He saw the night-guards move to their posts, the teeth on their collars glinted eerily in the moonlight. He signaled to Maxie and Halloween behind him. They moved off to create the diversion. He heard one of the cats growl.

"Trespasser!" A ginger night-guard snapped at them. Another cat with thick, matted white fur stepped out of the shadows. Smokey could see another cat next to them, they had grey and white fur.

"Never thought I'd see kittypets again. They usually stay away from us." The white cat hissed. It stalked toward Maxie and asks what she was doing here. Maxie pretended to cower and look scared.

While the guards were distracted, Smokey trotted off.

"We-we were just passing through!" Halloween mewed timidly. He ducked behind his sister. The cat with matted fur twitched it's tail.

"Then get on with it!" The ginger cat snapped.

The pungent smell of BloodClan was overwhelming, Smokey had to force himself to not retch. Shaking out his pelt, he picked up his pace. It smelled like crowfood left out for 10 moons, hinted with the metallic stench of blood. Smokey dug his claws into the ground. Every step he took he felt the stench getting stronger, making his eyes water. Smokey coughed and gagged. He stumbled toward fresh air, gasping. As Smokey struggled for breath, he felt aware of someone watching him.

Forcing a growl, he looked towards them. Shocked at what he saw, he stumbled backwards, gasping. Strike was standing there, glaring at him. Smokey's heart raced, his fur bristled. Strike lashed his tail, blood dripping out of the wound that got him killed. The black tom stalked toward him, baring his teeth. Smokey crouched timidly, his back pressed against the wall.

"Stop, you're dead! Why are you here!?" Smokey yowled in terror. Strike placed a paw on Smokey's shoulder. Smokey, confused, gazed upwards to see his mother.

"Smokey are you okay? You looked scared. Did you see something?" Smokey's mother, Lily, mewed. He saw that her white pelt was covered in scars and fresh wounds. Smokey purred, he was glad to see her again and alive for that matter.

"Yeah I'm okay. I think was just seeing things. Mother what have they done to you?" Smokey said, gazing at her wounds. He leaned forward to lick them clean. Lily blinked at her son.

"They tortured me. Said that they'd find you and kill you." She shuddered.

"For killing one of their own, I know." Smokey mewed, his voice thick with emotion. "I didn't mean for this to happen! Please, blame me for all the pain. It's my fault."

Lily caressed him with a paw. "Why would I do that? It's not your fault, little one."

Smokey pressed against her, feeling like a kit again. He straightened up and gazed at her fondly. She blinked at him affectionately.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Lily mewed.

"I was looking for you. I had this dream where you told me that you were in trouble." Smokey trembled, remembering the dream. "I have to get you out of here! My friends, they created a diversion to get me in here. Oh, I hope they're okay." He felt cold with dread as he pictured Halloween getting badly injured. Again.

"Smokey, it's dangerous out there!" Lily gasped, her eyes flashing with fear.

"I know, it's also dangerous in here. Some BloodClan cat could be waking up." Smokey hissed. Smokey got to his paws and headed for the camp entrance. He beckoned his mother with a flick of his tail. He walked quickly and quietly. They made it into the damp forest beyond the camp. Smokey breathed a sigh of relief. He looked back to see his mother patching up her wounds with some leaves.

Smokey saw the bushes trembling and Maxie limping out. She was covered in deep scratches. Smokey rushed toward her. She looked sad.

"What happed? Where's Halloween?" Smokey mewed.

"They-they took him away." Maxie murmured. "I tried getting him back, I promise! Smokey, you need to go find him!"

Smokey flattened his ears, shuddering. He pushed past Maxie and sped off. Maxie stumbled aside.

"I'm coming, Halloween!"

Maxie watched him go, grief still welled up in her eyes. She scratched the grass in front of her, repeatedly. Lily came and sat next to her.

"How could I just leave him there!"