Warrior Cats: BloodClan Hunger Games

Chapter 3 - Settling In

Thick fog swirled around Feathertail's paws and lingered around the tree trunks that she stood in the midst of. The forest was gloomy and eerily quiet. It was as if there were no moon, only a deep darkness. Feathertail's pelt bristled with alarm as she peered around the somber woodland. Her paws felt like they were frozen to the ground; she didn't dare move. The sound of crows cawing in the distance echoed through the trees and through narrow, weary eyes she watched them soar above the tree tops. It made her wonder what had frightened them into flight.

The feeling of multiple eyes watching her was starting to make her heart race. Unintelligible whispers were carried on a breeze, seemingly breathing into her ears. Feathertail unsheathed her claws, whipping around in circles with her lip curled in a snarl. She expected to face an enemy but she found nothing more than a heavy darkness.

Beneath her pads she could feel the ground beginning to vibrate. It continued to get stronger and stronger until the branches in the trees around her began to tremble. Feathertail took off in the opposite direction. She didn't want to find out what it was that could possibly be shaking the whole forest.

The silver tabby pelted through the woodland, the terror Feathertail felt being enough to mute the stinging from the bracken stems and low branches hitting her in the face. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it would explode beneath her fur as she tore through the moonless forest, weaving between trees and thick fern bushes, all the while the ground below her continued to shake. Although she let her fear drive her, Feathertail couldn't go fast enough... whatever was chasing after her was gaining on her.

As Feathertail leaped over a rotting fallen tree with bright orange mushrooms growing along the side, she risked a glance over her shoulder. She let out a petrified scream as two large glowing eyes and huge yellow teeth were right on her tail. It opened its jaws to let out a howl of triumph, the stench of rotting flesh wafting into her nose as it lunged for her...

Gasping for air, Feathertail jumped out of her makeshift nest and glanced around at the sleeping cats. The sun was just peeking over the horizon and the fresh-kill pile was already added to. Brambleclaw, Crowfeather, Lostface, and Blackfoot were chatting among themselves. Blackfoot and Crowfeather glanced over at the sudden noise, but didn't say anything. Blackfoot flicked his ear and continued on with the conversation.

Feathertail let out a sigh of relief. "It was only a dream..." She muttered to herself. The silver tabby stretched out her forepaws in a long stretch, unsheathing her claws and kneading them into the soft ground while working her shoulder muscles.

Icepaw was stirring in her nest, her legs twitching from a dream. Feathertail settled on the ground beside her and gave the young she-cat's head a gentle lick.

It wasn't long before Blackfoot's deep voice called to wake the sleeping cats, "Get to your paws, contestants. You are provided one last meal before we guide you to The Arena," At the sound of his voice, the cats began to awaken. Hawkpaw was the first to rush to the fresh-kill pile, his fur messy with clumps and knots. Ashfoot arched her back in a long stretch before giving herself a quick groom. Frostfur and Cloudtail did the same while the large white guard continued, "Once you are all finished, Mudfur will give each of you travelling herbs and then we will travel to the moor." Feathertail lifted her head and noticed Icepaw's wide eyes peering out from under her tail, frozen in her nest.

The small she-cat looked Feathertail in the eyes, trembling as she whispered, "Feathertail... let's just run away. When they're not looking... I don't think I can do it." Her voice started to come out as a squeal as she begged, "I-I can't do it! Please don't make me go!"

Feathertail cut her off, worried the guards would hear Icepaw's pleas, "Shh, shh," She looked around to make sure no cat had heard her and then tried to console the young apprentice, "It'll be okay, Icepaw. You have Ashfoot and I! We won't let anything hurt-"