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...
Kittypets, kittypets, where are the mousebrained kittypets? Do they never even leave their nests? I thought I was close enough, I might have to go into the twolegplace. And bear the stink of twoleg rubbish and thunderpaths? Is this really worth it?
Static was still walking through the woods when Llano found her.
"Junco found a cat named Tigerlily to watch the vote."
Great. Just great. At least I don't have to go into the twolegplace.
"I'm coming," she mewed, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. Must keep him on my side.
While Llano ran ahead, somehow still full of energy despite the long day, Static walked as slowly as possible back to the meeting place. I know Junco must be practically shaking with nerves, anticipation, and anger, might as well make her wait longer.
Putting one foot in front of the other, stopping to sniff anything of interest, Static padded across the rocky earth. When she arrived at the meeting place, she was the last one there.
She spotted the red she-cat Llano had called Tigerlily, sitting next to Junco. As Static made her appearance, she noticed the red she-cat lean over and whisper something to Junco. Junco nodded.
So she's been telling her about me. All good things I'm sure. The mouse brain. I'll kill her. Drive her out and kill her while she sleeps. Alone in the trees.
"Blizzard has found us a good place to conduct the vote," Snapdragon called. The short she-cat had taken the leadership position while they did not have one. Annoying, but I can deal with it. Soon I will be the leader and she will be gone. Soon everything will be perfect.
"Follow me, I found this big rock that shelters a smaller place where we can vote," Blizzard directed the Wanderers.
And Blizzard. Everything will be perfect because he will love me. Junco and Snapdragon will be gone, I will be leader, and Blizzard will love me. He will see that I am right and learn from his treacherous mistakes. And he will love me.
Static wasn't paying attention as she was led to the voting place. She wasn't paying attention as they explained the rules to Tigerlily.
She was paying attention when Snapdragon spoke again.
"Place your leaf on the left if you believe Static, and the right if you believe Junco. Inky, if you really want to be a Wanderer, you can vote too. I can't believe we have to do this," the old cat's voice broke, "But Static, you go first."
She walked to the rock shelter, similar to the small cave they had last voted in. Tigerlily was sitting in the back, similar to Lupine. We don't need a repeat of her.
Tigerlily stared at her and did not speak and she placed her spiked holly leaf firmly on the left. A vote for herself. Off to a good start for me. Haha.
She poked her head out and Junco was waiting. Without a word, they switched places.
Static walked away again, retracing her steps away from the shelter to where the rest of the Wanderers were waiting. A warm and gentle breeze blew through the area, the opposite of the mood. Who do I know that's on my side? Llano, perhaps Inky, maybe Snapdragon. Blizzard? Who can tell with him anymore?
Inky, the newest member of the group, looked apprehensive.
Blizzard stared somewhere to her left. His gaze was carefully blank.
Snapdragon kept her head down.
Estacado did the same.
Llano met her eyes.
She looked away.
Today, I will win this vote.
Today, I will win the vote for leader.
One day, they will all officially be under my control.
One day, Blizzard will be devoted to be, adore me.
One day, Junco and Snapdragon will no longer be able to bother me.
One day in the near future, everything will be perfect.
And I will do anything necessary to make that happen.
Anything.
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