The Beginning

Chapter 13

"Wait, WHAT?" Sam exclaimed. "She's giving birth right now?"

Raven nodded. "They're coming early, I heard them say. They weren't due for another week."

Riley just realized that Raven can understand them. "Why didn't you tell us you can understand them?" she demanded.

"It wasn't a good time to tell you," she admitted. "When you're on an island for ten years, you naturally grow accustomed to hearing them."

"I can't believe you," Riley said. "I don't care if you understand them or not. I just can't believe that you didn't tell us! Tell me!"

She stormed off, hearing Raven say, "Riley!" She ignored her and continued to march until she ended up in a forest. She stopped and sat down on a log. She looked up and realized that the forest was covered with a blue, hazy fog. What was weird about the fog is that it constantly buzzed, emitting a humming sound that made Riley feel uneasy. Whispers surrounded her, more intense and loud than the ones in the Void.

A rustling came from behind her. She shot up and turned around, grabbing a splintered stick and holding it like a knife. She crept up to the bush, her hand trembling. The rustling got louder and something leaped at her. She screamed, trying to stab the thing that landed on her. "What the fuck are you doing, Riley? You almost goddamn killed me!"

Riley breathed a sigh of relief. "You have to stop doing that! There will be a day when I actually kill you if you sneak up on me like that all the time."

Carlos nodded. "I know. My cat just ran off and I was chasing her. She really likes bushes for some reason."

A familiar purr came from behind Carlos' legs. The tabby wound herself around Riley's legs, filling Riley up with a warmth that she hadn't felt for a long time. She bent down and picked her up, stroking her head.

"How did it go with Haphmoun?" Riley asked quietly.

Carlos gently grabbed the tabby from Riley's arms. "Two khits came out, but the other three khits are being stubborn." Just as he said that, a roar split the air, making the fog ripple.

Carlos winced. "Two others came out. We just need to wait for the last one." He looked at Riley. "It doesn't matter whether Raven can understand the Catwings," he said quietly.

"Yes, it does," Riley said. "That way, she can tell us what they're planning."

Carlos shook his head. "Now I know why Dakota doesn't like you. You're too hotheaded, and you make a big deal over the smallest things. Since you ran off, you weren't there when Jhaufyther granted us the ability to understand his language," he said, crossing his arms.

"Look, I know I'm hot headed, and I also know that I have a temper, but that's just me," she said.

"True, but sometimes it's a bit too much," he said. "Haphmoun is in a lot of pain right now, and here you are being selfish. I'm going to go back to Jhaufyther and help him in case he needs anything," he said, starting to walk away.

His words hurt Riley, but he was right. Riley was too hot headed, and she knew that she needed to change that before it's too late. Carlos turned around again. "We can explore this place later," he said. "Why don't you come with me and see the khits."

Riley smiled. "I will gladly come. Thank you for telling me something I needed to know."

He smiled back. "That's what friends are for, right? I'll always let you know when you're doing something bad, even if you don't like it."

When they got there, Riley could see four bundles of fur suckling, their tails trailing behind them. Their wings were so tiny that Riley found them adorable. Haphmoun was yowling out in pain, her eyes glistening with shed and unshed tears. Jhaufyther paced outside the den, his tail lashing. He turned around and growled something at Carlos, who nodded and growled back. Riley was genuinely curious about what they were saying. "Poor Jhaufyther," Carlos whispered.