Cursed Division - Kindred Whispers book 2)

Chapter 5

CrookedTail woke with a start from a bad dream. He shook out his fur irritably. All his denmates were already awake and out on their daily duties. Of course no one had woken him. CrookedTail flexed his claws. The whole camp must know of his betrayal by now.

Stalking into the clearing, he noticed snow had fallen in the night. His paws crunched on snow. He gave it a disdainful sniff and kept padding forward.
Belly rumbling with hunger, he swiped his tongue around his jaws as he spotted a small prey pile in the center of a clearing in the prey rock, a bowl shaped rock that stocked the cat's prey.
He had opened his mouth to retrieve a shrew but not before the sound of a growl sounded behind him.
"Not so fast, CrookedTail."
He glanced around sharply to see Hawk, narrowing her eyes at him, tail giving a single lash.
"I don't think it's fair for you to eat given you've done no duties today. Maybe you could go catch some prey to bring back here to the pile then you can have a piece for yourself."
CrookedTail turned to face her, giving her a menacing glare.
"Who are you to tell me I can't eat?"
Hawk bared her teeth. "The one who was told to monitor you. Perhaps you should be thinking of those around you before yourself, CrookedTail. There are kittens who have not yet eaten yet."
"Not my problem." CrookedTail huffed. "Plus, you've no right to monitor me. Back off, Hawk."
Hawk took a dangerous step forward. She stood nose to nose with him. CrookedTail didn't move an inch. He longed to lunge at her and rake her muzzle but he contained himself.
"Aren't you in enough trouble, CrookedTail? Don't pick a fight you can't win."
CrookedTail puffed out his chest, gritting his teeth. "Back at you. I'll go hunt but don't think this conversation is over."
"Nothing more to discuss." Hawk decided with a dismissive flick of her tail before stalking off to PaleMoon, who was giving her chest a thorough wash.
Growling with disgust, CrookedTail stalked off through the camp wall and made his way into the forest.

The frosted earth glinted in the dim light. Sunshine shone with a weak dappled gleam through the trees. CrookedTail's paws crunched the snow. He lifted his muzzle to taste the air.
Can't smell anything with this forsaken snow! He thought hastily. I'd say we've had easy hunting so far this winter. Why do they need me to hunt? What can one cat catch if a whole band of cats can't catch much in this weather? Regardless of the irritating thought, he padded on until he heard the sound of claws scratching against bark. Feeling a sudden flicker of hope, CrookedTail turned to gaze at the tree where the sound came from. Maybe he could catch whatever it was and bring it back to camp and impress some of the other cats.

But this hope was short lived for CrookedTail bristled and took a step back in horror as he was met with a creature he'd never seen before. It had long brown and black fur, an elongated snout, a distinctive mask of dark fur around its eyes and forehead, and a long stripe of ivory running from each shoulder to its tail. It was bigger than he was and gazed at him with menacing, black beady eyes. Its long glistening claws bore into the tree's bark and it drew its lips, revealing long, thorn sharp white teeth.
CrookedTail felt his heart hammer with fear. What in the name of the stars was this thing?

It let out what sounded like a chirp then something between a low growl and a snarl. It leapt off the tree and slammed large forepaws against his chest, swiping at his exposed belly fur. Shrieking in pain and rage, CrookedTail twisted from its raking claws and lifted a paw to score a long gash down its shoulder. It's spat with fury and snapped at him, merely missing his tail. Saliva hung from its wide jaws. It stomped angrily and snarled at him, slashing at his face, sending him reeling. CrookedTail's body thumped against a tree and the breath was knocked from his body. He retched and spat out clots of blood. Hissing, he leapt in the air and fastened his claws on its back, gripping tight until his claws turned scarlet. The creature yowled and screeched as it lumbered around, trying to shake him off. To CrookedTail's shock and horror, it whipped its head around to grab a mouthful of his fur before flinging him off. This time, Crookedtail tumbled clumsily before his feet gave way and he was met with a face full of snow. All around him, the snow was turned scarlet. His body screamed in pain and his wounds stung in agony. He couldn't fight it alone. He needed help, reinforcements.