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...
Junco was running through the woods. She did this a lot.
This time it was urgent.
I need to find a cat to judge the vote. Anyone except Static needs to find them. Quickly, before she can do anything else. Before she can kill anyone else.
She slowed as she reached a large pile of rocks. Sticking her head in the cracks big enough for a cat, Junco searched. This forest was different from many she had been in. Huge rocks and small pebbles peppered the earth, with wiry trees growing up between them. There was grass, but much of the forest floor was covered in grit and gravel.
Scraping the stars, the mountain they had left for in the first place was looming over them all. It will be easy for whoever we select as leader next. Oh, Oriole.
The thought of her dead mate dropped another stone in her stomach. Her visit that night had been far too short. The grisly image appeared in her mind again.
Oriole, the trap closed around her shoulders.
Oriole, bleeding out.
Oriole, dying.
Static, watching it all.
Static, causing it all.
Static, killing her.
The memory overwhelmed her. Junco stopped her search and fell to the ground.
No. It's over. Stop. Stop thinking about it. Stop thinking about how Static, your own sister, killed your mate. Your mate who you only just confessed your love for. Static killed your friend who you had been with since birth. Your friend who you grew to love. Stop thinking about it.
Her claws unsheathed and dug into the ground. Junco could feel her mind breaking down and spiraling. Again she watched her bleed. Oriole coughing up blood. Spasming.
Static killed Oriole. Static killed Branch. Static killed your mate. Static killed your leader. Static killed your mate and leader. Oriole is dead. Oriole was killed by Static. Oriole bled out in front of me. Static killed her. Static killed Oriole. Static killed your mate. Static killed your leader.
Trapped inside her memories, repeating every gruesome detail. Again and again and again.
Amber died and Granite left and Branch died and Oriole died. Everyone is dying. Static is killing. This is your fault. You watched Amber die. You watched Oriole die.
Junco yowled in anguish, trying to force the thoughts away and get out of the cage that was her mind. Trying and failing. Pressing her paws against her head, she writhed against the rough earth. Overtop of each scene her thoughts repeated.
Static killed Oriole. Static killed your mate. Static killed your leader. Oriole is dead. Oriole bled out in front of you. Oriole–
"Hey, hey!"
She felt paws press against her back. The outside force shook her from the spiral.
"Are you okay? Can you talk to me?"
A red she-cat was standing over her, worry was plain in the creases around her bright yellow eyes.
"Can you talk? What happened?"
"I'm okay, I'm okay." Junco responded, breathing heavily. Gasping from her screams.
"I'm going to be honest, you aren't okay," the she-cat responded. Despite her words, she looked a little relieved.
"I'm Junco. Who are you?"
"Tigerlily. I live in the twolegplace. What happened to you?"
What's a kittypet doing out here? "Nothing."
Tigerlily looked at her doubtfully. "That's a lie. And I'm not a kittypet, I live in the spaces between the nests and thunderpaths."
"How did you–"
"Everyone assumes you're a kittypet if you live in the twolegplace. Now answer my question, truthfully. What happened to you?"
Junco sighed, suddenly feeling immensely tired. Reasonably, I didn't get much sleep and I've done a lot of running.
"Sorry, I'm just grieving and angry. I let it get to me."
Tigerlily's expression softened. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea."
"No, it's okay. Thank you for pulling me out of that."
"No problem. Do you live around here? I've never seen you before."
"No, I'm part of a group called the Wanderers. We were traveling through this area on the way to the mountain when my mate was killed. Then we got chased by a bear and, well a lot is going on right now."
"Oh." Tigerlily seemed a little shocked.
"Speaking of that, we need you for something, if you don't mind."
"I'm not really doing anything right now, I guess. Is it safe?"
"You should be, can't make any promises. I'll try to protect you if anything happens."
"What exactly might happen?"
"Well, it started with Granite leaving..."
Tigerlily looked mostly concerned as Junco explained the predicament, ending with the accusations.
"So yeah, we need you to watch the vote to determine which of us is telling the truth," Junco concluded.
"That's a lot."
"I know."
"I believe you, and I'll help."
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