First her mom dies. Things only go downhill from there. Alongside raising her new siblings, Junco must navigate the now dangerous waters of life as a Wanderer. Death and feelings are the worst kind of problems.
Oriole was always very cheerful, and...
"Who killed Oriole and Branch?" Static asked again.
Junco glared at her, clearly on the fence about declaring Static guilty, with her standing right there. If she is even going to say my name, I don't know how she would know. Though, I can't think of anyone to pin the blame on. All the cats in the area stared at Junco imploringly.
"You have to believe me! It was Static!" Junco cried.
The Wanderers gasped. Blizzard stepped back, away from Static. Llano and Estacado looked at each other, very confused.
"Why would Static kill our leaders?" The question came from Snapdragon, but it was asked by everyone.
"I wouldn't! Why would I do that?" How did she know what I did? I didn't leave any trace, and if she had known from the scene, she would have said something earlier.
"You foxheart! You wanted power and were willing to do anything to get it!" Junco roared, "You would kill and lie to everyone!"
The force of her rage scared birds out of nearby trees. Squawking, they allighted into the air, filling the sky and hiding the moon.
"No! They both died in terrible accidents!"
"How could you? Good thing I didn't vote for you last time, who knows what would have happened if you got what you wanted!" Blizzard shouted above the growing noise.
"Everyone be quiet!"
The yell of the normally calm and quiet healer shut them up. The birds cleared and Snapdragon spoke again, "All this yelling will accomplish nothing. Junco, you speak first. Nobody else talks until she's done."
All eyes turned to her sister. The terrible mouse brain might ruin everything.
Junco hesitated for a second before speaking,"Oriole and Branch visited me in a dream and spoke to me. Branch told me that Static shoved him underwater and broke his neck," she paused, seemingly overcome by grief for her dead mate. Pathetic. Such weakness will not be tolerated when I lead the Wanderers.
"And Oriole, Oriole told me that Static, that Static lured her to the trap that killed her."
The trap, that reminds me, that smell. Musk and sweetgrass, it still hangs in the air. I'd just gotten used to it.
"Now Static, what do you have to say," Snapdragon mewed.
"I promise that I did not do either of those things. I don't know for sure how Branch died, and neither Oriole or I saw the trap."
"They just barely could! This place isn't spiritual enough, they were only there for a moment." Junco seemed desperate. Your accusation is falling apart dear sister. Too bad.
"I think I believe you Junco," Blizzard padded towards the she-cat, "Static, you've always been power hungry, I think we all know that. I never thought you would go this far though."
How could he? I thought he loved me!
"Maybe," Estacado looked sad and confused.
"No, we have to trust Static! She's one of us!" Llano mewed. His confliction shone in his green eyes as he argued with his littermate.
The smell, it just got stronger. What is that?
She evidently wasn't the only one to notice, Blizzard mewed, "Do you guys smell that?"
"Some animal must be nearby, I can't tell what it is though."
"It must be big, the smell keeps getting stronger."
A black cat leaped out of the darkness and over a bush, straight into the middle of them. As she ran past them, she yowled, "Run!"
Behind her Static could hear crashing sounds and heavy footfalls. The smell. The sounds. Something is chasing her. Something huge. Right towards us!
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