Lost Hope: Book 5: Forest of Vipers

Chapter 3

No one suspected her, as far as she knew.

    Violetshadow knew it looked suspicious when she walked back to camp without Burrowpelt, and then no one could find the body. That was puzzling even to her, but it must've been a fox that had come across it and didn't hesitate to take a free meal.

    And on top of that, now Phoenixwing, Foxflame and Lilacsnow were all missing.

    "Violetshadow!"

    The dark gray she-cat turned her head to see the deputy Darkmoon calling her. He was standing next to Claystream, Scarletpetal and Sparrowfeather near the camp entrance.

    She swiped a paw quickly over her ear and then stood up and trotted over to them. "Yes?"

    "We're going on a search party," Darkmoon told her. "I'd like you to come with us."

    Violetshadow dipped her head, meeting his gaze steadily. "Of course."

    The patrol set off, Darkmoon in the lead with Sparrowfeather staggered slightly behind him and Scarletpetal bringing up the rear. Violetshadow stood almost shoulder to shoulder with Claystream, though the she-cat seemed to be trying to be as far away from Violetshadow as she could.

    She suspects I have something to do with all the missing cats. And she's not wrong about one, I suppose.

    The cats followed a scent trail left by Phoenixwing and her kits. They had gone to see Aster, so at least they had a heading.

    They were about half way to Aster's Town when the acrid scent of death hit the roof of Violetshadow's mouth. She didn't say anything; she could tell that everyone else smelled it too.

    Darkmoon increased the pace and they soon came within eye shot of clumps of red fur and the smell of blood and rot. Violetshadow could even hear the satisfied squawking of crows.

    "Great StarClan. . ." Scarletpetal's voice was choked as she saw her sister's body.

    Darkmoon approached the body, or what was left of it, and tentatively lowered his muzzle to sniff. He drew back sharply. "Rogues," he said quietly.

    "Surely not?" Claystream asked, frightened.

    Darkmoon nodded gravely. "Aster warned us of this awhile ago. He said that he saw them back."

    "Shall we bury her then?" Scarletpetal asked quietly.

    "Of course," Darkmoon agreed and they began digging a hole next the the spot where Phoenixwing lay. When they had dug it deep enough, they carefully lifted her up and into the grave. Violetshadow wrinkled her nose and tried not to gag as she grabbed at the corpse's fur.

    After they had finished, they sat in silence for a moment before Sparrowfeather spoke up. Violetshadow jerked a little at his voice. She had forgotten that he was even there.

    "What do you think happened to Foxflame and Lilacsnow?"

    Darkmoon shook his head. "I have no idea. But we should probably get back to camp and report this to Stonestar."

    When they got back to camp, everyone was seemed so dismayed and broken. Stonestar was having a hard time finding the right words to comfort everybody, and Violetshadow felt like a thousand eyes were on her, watching her every move.

    But the one thing she wanted to know is if Viperfang had anything to do with this.