The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

68. Warnings

     “No! You’re not going alone!” 

     Palemist backed away, giving his tail one final lash. “It’ll be less risky if I go alone. Alright?” 

     A crow squawked in the distance. The sky was dark the sun only just rising, gray clouds rolling closer. The den was silent, the only noise coming from breathing cats.  

     “They’ll kill you if they find you,” Spottedmoss whimpered. 

     A cat pressed against Palemist, and he turned to find Mellow. “I’ll go,” the kittypet offered. “They don’t know me, but Poppy will recognize me.” 

     Palemist blinked and shook his head. “It’s dangerous. I don’t want anyone to risk getting hurt.” 

     “They don’t have to know we’re friends.” Mellow lightly nudged Palemist.  

     Palemist stared at Mellow for a moment before simply shaking his head. “I want to see my Clan,” he confessed. “I want to help them one more time. Just once.” 

     More silence, until Cotton cleared her throat. “If he has a death wish, let him go. I’d say he has a pretty good reason.” 

     “I’ll wait by Angel’s,” Popcorn said. “If you aren’t back by tonight, we’ll come looking. Alright?” 

     “I’m not losing you again,” Spottedmoss whispered, ducking her head under Palemist’s cheek. “Be safe, alright? For me?” 

     “For all of us,” added Mellow. “You’re our friend. We’re a group, remember? Outcasts.” 

     Palemist turned to Claw, who had been silent all this time. She beamed at Mellow. She’s happy he used her idea. Surprise struck him when the she-cat stepped up to him and touched her nose to his forehead. “You be careful. We’ll wait for. And make sure Poppy’s okay.” 

     “Of course,” Palemist assured, backing away. “Wish me luck.” StarClan, please let them believe me. If they don’t, they’ll kill me. “See you all in a bit.” 

     With that, he trotted out of the den, trying to hide his fear. They think I’m a murderer. They won’t believe me. Everyone in that den is more likely to convince them. He took a deep breath, pausing to exhale and give himself a shake. But I have to try. My last effort to help my Clan. I have to see what they’ll do. If they don’t believe me, maybe Reyna will go herself.  

     A fat raindrop hit Palemist square in the back, and he shivered and dashed out of the alley. More came, hitting here and there, seemingly awaiting something. He kept his pace brisk, his claws at the ready. Another drop landed on him, this time on his head. 

     It did not take long for him to leave the Run-Down and start his way towards Angel’s. He  would break off there, crossing the thunderpath and bolting into the forest. His nerves made him jittery. They’re my former Clanmates. Some of them have to have a sliver of hope left. The rain began to patter down. If they kill me, Mellow or Spottedmoss will tell them. And if they don’t believe them, they’ll learn the truth.  

     Something in Palemist ached when he saw the forest in the distance, and when he reached Angel’s fence, he sat and stared at it. I could die in there. His heart began to pound. Will I be welcomed into StarClan if I do? 

     I’m shaking! He stood and shook his entire body. The rain fell harder now, bouncing on the concrete. If it keeps raining, I’ll drown before I get there! He rushed across the path and studied the ditch. It was filled with murky water, left there by the downpour from the past days. Palemist took a step back and lunged across, barely clearing the water and staggering to the edge of the thunderpath. No monsters were in sight, but he felt a constant grumbling in the rock. From the rain. He hissed softly and dashed.