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...
"It may not be a joke but she is definitely lying," Static mewed.
I've said this already but she hasn't heard it yet. Maybe I'll have her on my side, since Junco wasn't exactly kind to her. Foolish, she wasn't thinking. Have to be better than that.
"Branch, our former leader, died from falling in the river and Oriole, our other former leader, fell on a bear trap," she continued, explaining to Inky.
"Except that's not true, none of that is true. She broke Branch's neck and pushed Oriole into the trap!"
"This is getting redundant," Blizzard mewed, "Let's have a vote."
If we had a vote, who would choose my side? Llano, definitely, and myself. Maybe Estacado and Snapdragon. If I'm being honest with myself, probably not Blizzard. Oh well, he will learn.
"Perfect, we already have a cat here to watch–"
"No, she said she was looking to join us," Junco interrupted Llano, "She can't do it if she wants to join."
Inky looked torn. Torn about who to believe and whether or not she still wants to join, I imagine. Reasonable thoughts, though she should choose to believe me. I don't think I want her in the Wanderers though, she seems soft.
Snapdragon sighed, the old cat looked more tired than Static had ever seen her. "I suppose the best option is a vote. Split up to find a cat, but don't go into the bear's territory. And please, no more arguing. You have to accept the result of the vote. Junco, you will leave the Wanderers if we find Static innocent. Static, you will leave if we find you guilty."
Even being old and tired, Snapdragon commanded an air of authority. Still, her age shows. When I become leader, she will have to leave.
"Fine." Junco turned to glare at her and then padded off. No need to be bitter, sister.
"Fine," Static echoed, using a more pleasant tone. I have a feeling they will prefer the cat that's being nice, not the one who has been speaking every word with venom since her mate died.
Turning her paws parallel to the line of twoleg nests, she carefully avoided the territory of the bear. Gazing up to the sky, Static watched the stars. Are the Ancestors up there? Do they exist at all? Are they judging me? Surely they will see, I've only done what's necessary. For the good of us all.
Walking at night was peaceful. Static had been tense, planning her next move, saying the right things, under the watchful eye of the rest of the Wanderers. She hadn't been totally alone in a long time. She could be herself.
She wanted to hunt.
Static opened her mouth to taste the air and focused on listening to the sounds of the woods. The subtle scratch of a branch blowing in the wind, colliding with another. A leaf, falling through the air, drifting on thin breezes. And then, the sound of a small rodent, nosing its way through the grasses and leaf litter.
Static turned towards the noise and crouched low to the ground. Holding her tail parallel to the ground, she moved slowly across the earth. As she crept, she snapped a small twig. Swinging her head, she watched as the mouse ran. Over a stump and under a root, where it got stuck.
"How lucky," Static mewed, taunting the prey as it squealed with terror. Thrashing endlessly, trying to free itself from the grasp of the tree. Static circled, spirally in on the mouse. Prolonging its suffering.
"Of course, it's not lucky for you. Little mouse." The screams intensified and the mouse writhed against the root.
She snapped the mouse's neck. Like Junco would do to me. And I to her.
Eating quickly, blood and juices dripping from her snout, she continued her hunt. Half-looking for a cat to watch the vote.
If I find the cat, I might be able to bend them to my will. Convince them that I am right and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Thinking this, she abandoned her hunt and headed for the twolegplace. To look for a foolish kittypet. They won't know any better.
Maybe I can help my chances.
Not that I will need it.
I've done nothing wrong.
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