Twiggy

Chapter 5

In the recent days since she had joined Comet and I, the weight of responsibility had slightly lifted. She had helped care for my growing sister, giving me the chance to rest for more than a few minutes. She had always been so great with kits. . . . Almost too great.
      A purr rumbled in her chest as she played with Comet; being careful to keep her claws sheathed at all times. "Rawr, I'm brave, and coming to kill you! I'm so strong, killing enemies and protecting my big brother!" Comet squeaked.
Does she really think I need her protection? Comet is so small. . . . How could she protect me from a full-grown cat who knows how to fight?
      "I'm sure your brother appreciates it, don't you?" She said, shooting a viscous glare at me. I refused to think of her name.
"Yes, Comet. You look very strong. A little while longer and you'll be the best fighter I've ever met!" I encouraged.
"Twiggy, I use your name, have you forgotten mine?" She asked slyly.
"No. . . . "
"What is it then?"
"Your name is Silver Sky."
She sat back on her haunches. "Congratulations. You do remember. Now would you be so kind as to use it?"
"Maybe." I growled.
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It was now night, and crickets slowly chirped in the chilly air. I didn't understand why they chirped so happily- it was time for snow and be crickets should be long gone by now. They definitely shouldn't be chirping in this weather.
"Silver Sky?" I meowed slightly.
"Yes?" The grey tabby answered from where she lay curled around Comet. I don't know why I trusted her with my sister, but I did.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I haven't exactly been the best cat. I miss you, and I forgive you. Can we start where we left off, before you and I split, when we were hopelessly in love?"
"Ok. . . . "
"Is Comet asleep?"
She nodded, her eyes soft and she touched her nose to Comet's sleepy head. "Yeah, she is."
"Silver Sky," I started, edging closer to her. Half of my mind didn't want me to say it- it rejected even the idea. But the other half urged me on. I looked deeply into the beautiful tabby's blue eyes. "Will you be my mate?"
She whipped her tail in excitement. "Yes! Twiggy, how could I say no?"
      "You couldn't. I'm too amazing." I joked, although at the moment I didn't feel to great. My stomach churned and I felt dizzy, light-headed. My vision was becoming a hazy blur and I collapsed.
~~~~~~**********~~~~~~
Bright flashing lights were coming from all directions, blinding me repeatedly. I felt helpless with no eyesight- I didn't understand how kits survived so kin without it. 'Twiggy,' a deep gruelling voice called.
      My mind whirled with multiple possibilities of what this could be- was I dying? Was this cat (or other animal) coming to take me up to the place Mother was? Or was I locked away inside another terrible dream. Probably.
      "Twiggy," the voice repeated. It was reminding me of when I found Silver Sky again, and my heart began to burst with happiness and pride.
      "What?" I answered, trying to sound strong and brave. I was never that brave- I hoped I sounded it at least.
      "Are you taking care of Comet?"
      What kind of question was that? Of course I was. Comet was my little sister. This cat made me feel murderous inside, and I began to heat up in rage.
      "No, I haven't cared for Comet at all." I said, rolling my eyes."
      'Be serious. This isn't the time to joke around.' The voice said.
      "I really do not care." I spoke, flicking my ear in exasperation.
"You should. Comet is an important part of your story."
Was she really? It would make sense, her being my sister, but I didn't know if I was the right cat. Instead of uttering my thoughts, I just said, "Really?"
"Of course." It replied. This was really starting to freak me out. Would I have to welcome this new voice ini my family? Because I didn't want to. No, I refused to.
The lights were getting closer, and I scrabbled to escape. Claws reached out and tugged me to the ground and I struggled against them, wanting to escape before the comets came. "There's no escape now." The voice laughed, scorching my body mark deeper into the ground.
I looked around wildly trying to find anything that might be useful against this . . . what should I call it? A voice? Then I wondered how a voice could physically touch me.
My frantic attempts were vague, as I could hardly move my paws. The comets got closer, closer and closer, and I couldn't hear anymore. I was deaf again. "Help!" I screeched, although I knew nobody would hear. Was this real anyway? No wasn't it a drea- my thoughts were cut off as the viscous agony cut through me again.
It reminded me of the first time this had happened. The burning skin, and the crushing weight of a giant rock pushing me into the ground and stopping the air flow. My thoughts trailed over my life- Mother showing me outside for the first time, learning to hunt, meeting Silver Sky. . . . And there was the more recent ones . . . The ones where Mother was gone and where I was certainly about to die. My heart pricked with the pain- not of the comet -but of all the memories that had flooded my mind. My eyes watered, and I kept thinking, the track spinning in my head. What will happen to Comet? Silver Sky? Will I see Mother again? What is it like in the place dead cats go? It went on like this until I was overwhelmed by the black wave seeping at the edge of my vision, and I slowly closed my eyes, thinking my last thought. Why did the cat do this to me?
There was peace.