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...
A small black tabby tom seemed very excited to see her, as Runar and Drama led her through a maze of rock piles.
"So far, just someone who owes us."
"My name's Static, they treated my wounds." He's the first to wonder about my name.
"Were you fighting someone? Did you win?"
Static inwardly cringed. No, not for now.
"Alibi, shut up." Runar's gruff mew quieted the young tom. "We're almost there."
"Almost to where exactly?" Where are we going? I need a rest soon, my scratches are acting up.
"The meeting den, where you can appeal to Enigma and Riddle," Drama answered. Enigma and Riddle? Are they the leader and the healer?
"What are all these rock piles then?"
"Most are nothing. Some of them are where cats sleep."
"How many cats are there in The Conspiracy?"
Runar growled, "Stop asking questions." Why does he have to be so mean? I was just curious. And so was that other cat, Alibi.
After just another moment, they arrived at a larger pile of rocks surrounding a hole. Drama went in first. Static looked at Runar, who nodded, and followed her. The tunnel went down and opened into an underground cave. Both of the members of the Conspiracy made a small bow as they entered the room.
Pillars of stone seemed to hold up the ceiling. Spiked rocks sprouted from the ground and from above like teeth. Moss and lichen grew on the floor and sides of the dim area. A small fire was burning in the center of the cave, surrounded by stones to keep it contained. Colorful pebbles glinted in the flickering light. Some intoxicating smell filled the space and Static felt her head begin to spin.
In the back of the cave, sat two cats. One of them stood up when they heard the approach. A large, old scar covered half of the cat's dark face. Only one of her eyes was left unscathed, the other stared blindly forward. She's been burned.
The other cat stayed hunched over, staring at the walls, or maybe their eyes were closed.
"So you've arrived," the cat that stood spoke.
Runar nudged Static forward and stepped back. Drama and Runar both stood behind her, heads bowed.
"So I have," she responded, "And you are?"
"Enigma, leader of The Conspiracy. And you?"
"Static." Leader of nothing.
Enigma seemed to bathe in Static's discomfort. The silence stretched. What is that smell? What are they burning?
"You are here because Drama and Runar found you passed out on the forest floor."
"And now I owe you."
"And now you owe us. See, The Conspiracy has been rather bored lately. I think you might have something interesting for us to do."
I do have something they could help me with.
"What kind of thing?"
"What is it that you were fighting?"
"Another cat, but what kind of thing were you looking–"
"What do you have for us? Answer the question!"
"The Wanderers need to be punished!" Static shouted.
Enigma smirked, her dark eye cutting into Static like a claw. "Now we're getting somewhere. Why exactly do they need to be punished?"
"They disgraced me and kicked me out! I should have been their leader, but instead they forced me to leave, bleeding and alone."
"And you're angry at them?"
"Of course! I'm going to kill them all slowly, leaving Junco for last, so she can be alone. As alone as I was when she kicked me out. Her death will be long and agonizing."
"This seems like an interesting endeavor," Enigma mused, "Where are they now?" I cannot be certain, I don't think they would have moved yet. With Llano and everything.
"Not too far, they will be heading for the mountain soon. You must help me! We can wreak much more havoc together!"
The gray she-cat laughed, "Help you?"
Static faltered, "Yes! Help me, you said you needed something to do!"
"Of course. Your Wanderers will be dealt with, in approximately the way you wish," she paused, "We just don't need you. As long as that is in line with the spirit's wishes, Riddle?"
The other cat did not turn, or move much at all. Simply rasped, "It is."
Static backed up, directly into Runar and Drama. More cats appeared behind them, claws unsheathed. Her legs buckled as the brown tom pushed her head to the ground. What's happening? I thought I could join them, help them!
"What are you doing?! I can help you!"
Enigma simply laughed again, "Oh, and you forgot to bow."
Static didn't even have time to scream, before her throat was torn out.
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