Book 1 - Warriors: The Shadow Outcast

Chapter Nineteen

Run!

Hope is gone. We shall not be saved.

Run!

We are trapped!

Run!

Only two nights does it take for things to go wrong. . .

Rainfur listened to the voices, trying to make sense of them. They kept coming, every time he'd fall asleep. Who needed to run, and why? Why was all hope gone? Why couldn't whoever needed his help not be saved? Why were they trapped? Why was it only two nights? Did something happen to the Clans? He knew he couldn't go back, but with what was going on here. . .

"Confusing, isn't it?" asked the familiar voice of the demon, making Rainfur hiss with annoyance.

"Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?" asked Rainfur. "I want nothing to do with you! You are the reason I cannot be with my mate or my friends!"

"Me? What have I done?" asked the demon innocently. "I have merely grown within your body, gaining strength and speed. The reason I am how I am, however, is your fault. It was you who chose to get you and your brother in trouble." Rainfur shook his head, trying to keep himself calm.

"Nothing could have been changed!" Rainfur hissed.

"Could it?" asked the demon. "I think it could. I think you could have avoided that area, going the long way around, and then saved your brother the death and yourself the heart-break. If it wasn't for that mistake, you would still have your brother. If it wasn't for that mistake, you would still be human. If it wasn't for that mistake, you wouldn't have or need me, and therefore be pure."

"That isn't true!" Rainfur yelled. "It can't be! I spent six months getting myself to think otherwise. Stop messing that up!"

"But it must," the demon insisted. "It brings you closer to the truth, and it pushes you to give me my name and in return gain my strength."

"I shall never name you!" Rainfur hissed. "You are supposed to be forgotten! How can I name something that was supposed to be in the past?" Everything faded before the demon could respond, making Rainfur sigh with frustration.

¤¤¤

By the next day just after dawn, Sweetpaw and Rainfur had gotten really close to the city. They didn't encounter any humans, and truthfully, they hadn't had any trouble whatsoever. It was no different from the day before, making it simple for Rainfur.

Sweetpaw had, of course, continued asking her random questions about random objects, and Rainfur continued to answer them. It was as if he were her mentor, taking her out to explore the territory for the first time. It made Rainfur wonder if life was any different from the Clans.

Rainfur then realised where they were, making him tense. They were close to the place where the demon was created. They were close to the place where Alfie's life ended. Rainfur's mind became clouded, and his heart defeated.

Sweetpaw noticed his discomfort, making her look up to him with a worried look.

"Rainfur, are you okay?" asked Sweetpaw. "You look. . .ill." Rainfur looked to the worried she-cat before shaking his head.

"I-I'm fine, I promise," Rainfur insisted. "Just lost in the memories." As they continued walking, Rainfur was torn. He didn't want the memories to be remembered, but at the same time, he was curious. He wanted to avoid the place where Alfie died, but at the same time, something was pulling him there.

Suddenly Rainfur stopped, making Sweetpaw alert. He was shocked at the fact they were already in the better part of town, knowing full well that it should have taken them a bit longer. Then he realised it.