BOOK 1~A Broken Beginning

Chapter 22

     "I didn't belong," Echo sighed and she followed her dad to the lake.

     "Little one, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that to you," he murmured. He licked her head gently and she pulled away.

     "I'm a full grown shecat!" She snapped. Bone looked down.

     'She is 9 moons old and looks like a 6moon old' he thought dimmly. Echo trotted to the shallows of the lake and dived under, letting the cool water refreshen her.

     "I will leave you. Please visit at least," Bone sighed. Echo ignoref him completely. Bone sighed and ran back to his pack with a thought of vengeance on his mind.

~#~#~#~#~

     "Echo, please talk to me," Bramblefur called as he stared at the shecat who was sitting in the waves of the lake. He was sent out to look for her. Soon he would have to go back to do his vigil.

     "Please!" He yowled. He watched her as her body heaved and she came out soggy and freezing.

     "You'll catch a cold," Bramblefur sighed as they padded back to camp.

     "Please, Echo!" Bramblefur pleaded.

     Echo said nothing.

     "Please! I can help you! I can help you get a mate, have a family..." he sighed.

~#~#~#~#~

     He looked around for the white shecat, and when he found her, anger burned inside of him. Dirtwhisker was harrassing her.

     "Leave her alone, Dirtwhisker." Hollowthorn hissed. Dirtwhisker faced the small striped tom, and Snowsoar bolted to Hollowthorn's side protectively.

~#~#~#~#~

     Echo sighed as she slipped easily into the camp. Bramblefur sighed and ducked his head to go though the tunnel. When he got into the camp clearing, Echo was racing towards the very far end corner of camp. Bramblefur sighed sadly and went to eat.

~#~#~#~#~

     "Leave her alone, Dirtwhisker!" Hollowthorn hissed. Dirtwhisker smirked and lundged digging his teeth into Hollowthorn's throat. Hollowthorn threw him off. Snowsoar snarled and nipped at Dirtwhisker. The large tom whirled around and gripped her by the neck holding her so she couldn't struggle.

      "If you move, I'll kill her. She's mine!" Dirtwhisker snarled in a hushed whisper. Hollowthorn growled lowly his teeth bared and his fur fluffed out.

      "Let her go!" He snarled. Dirtwhisker tightened his grip on Snowsoar causing the shecat to wince.

     Suddenly Echo charged from behind gripping the tom tightly by the top of his neck. His drip loosened on Snowsoar and the shecat darted to Hollowthorn. Hollowthorn watched in horror as Echo got flung away and Dirtwhisker got ready to send the killing blow. Hollowthorn crouched ready to leap when Echo leaped up gripping Dirtwhisker's leg. He swung her around and rears. Echo swung herself as her reward causing him to topple. She sunk he teeth into his weak neck skin as he

attempts to throw her off weakened until he fell limp.

"Echo..." Snowsoar whisperered. Echo shook her head.

"Tell them I attacked you... They won't believe that Dirtwhisker did it," Echo murmured. Hollowthorn gasped. She finally spoke. She dipped her head and leapt off.