Midnight's Past

Chapter Eleven

Midnight sat by herself feeling numb, trying to avoid big noticed. She was afraid of seeing Darkocean. She had no idea what his intentions were and she didn't want to know. She glanced around at the chatting cats. She figured that she should find Stormclaw. She spotted him sitting alone and felt guilty for leaving him. Yet, she couldn't fight off the feeling of nausea that crept through her body. Midnight approached him and sat down silently. "It'll be okay." Stormclaw murmured.

"Will it? Maybe I should just let him kill me and be done with it."

"Don't talk like that. You'll be okay. We can get through this... Together."

Midnight sighed and gazed up at the full moon. "Okay... But what can we even do?"

Before Stormclaw could say anything Darkocean approached. Midnight almost threw up. She was a wreck. "Evening, lovebirds."

"What?" Stormclaw tried playing dumb.

Darkocean locked eyes with Midnight and spoke in a low, dangerous tone. "I know your secret... You could very well be exiled from the Clans if they all knew about your meetings in the night."

Midnight locked eyes with Stormclaw. They both shared a moment of complete helplessness. "What do you want from me? Why would you help him? What has he ever done for you?"

"I want you to give yourself up. Let him kill you. Or I'll tell the Clans about you and Stormclaw. You're done, Midnight. What do you say? Come willingly? Or I'll ruin your life!"

"Why would you do something like this?"

"Your father told me about how evil you are! You ripped out your own mother's throat!"

"Uh.. I never did that. My mother died giving birth to me."

"I don't believe you. I'll be waiting with your father in a clearing in your territory. I'll leave a scent trail. Just find me. Then, your father can take care of you."

"As in killing me?"

"Yes. See you then." Darkocean walked away with his tail held high with confidence.

Midnight bit her tongue to hold back her sobs. "Midnight... this isn't the end."

"But it is... My life is a wreck."

"Midnight... We can get through this. I promise I won't leave your side."

"I believe you. So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Maybe we can face them together and fight them?"

"I guess that's what we'll have to do."

"We can do this. I love you, Midnight."

"I love you, too"

***

Midnight sat outside of the warriors' den and watched the sunrise. Would this be the last one she experienced? Or would it be one of many more to come? She watched as cats began to wake up and bustle around the camp. She stood up and walked outside of the camp. She headed for the Water Clan border and once she arrived she sat down to wait for Stormclaw. "Hey, Midnight."

Midnight looked up to see Stormclaw awkwardly shuffling his paws. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Stormclaw..."

"Fine... I just... I almost killed a cat."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... I almost ripped Darkocean limb from limb."

"Did you attack him? Or stop yourself?"

"I was planning to lure him out of camp and kill him. But I didn't."

"Stormclaw... I get that you care for me but you don't need to get your paws dirty for me."

"I regret not killing him. I want him and your father dead!"

"Stormclaw, calm down! If we're gonna get through this we can't lose our minds!"

"I... I'm sorry, Midnight. I just can't bare the thought of losing you."

"Do you ever think this was a mistake? I've caused you so many problems."

"Midnight... I'd never regret knowing you... loving you. You're my world. You're problems are my problems. You're pain is my pain. And I don't regret a thing."

"I'll make it up to you somehow. I dunno how... But I'll fix everything."

"I don't need you to try and fix a thing."

***

Midnight's heart raced as she sat in silence, waiting for her father. Stormclaw sat next to her silently. They knew the plan. It was to kill. As much as they did not want to murder it was their only option. Midnight stood up as Darkocean and her father entered the clearing. "Hello, Midnight."

"Tank." Midnight said with a nod to her father.

"Why did you bring another?"

"I didn't want to die without a cat I love by my side."

"Very well."

Tank unsheathed his claws and Midnight forced herself to not flinch as her father slammed her to the ground. He pressed his muzzle against her throat and growled. "I should've done this years ago."

Just as his fangs pierced the first layer of skin on her throat Stormclaw knocked Tank off of her. Darkocean pounced onto Stormclaw and the two cats rolled on the ground as they fought furiously. Midnight locked eyes with her father. "I will not let you kill me!"

"Such a stupid kitty!"

Tank leaped for Midnight and she ran under him, slashing his stomach as she ran. He turned to look at her. His dark amber eyes filled with hatred. He leaped again and Midnight didn't move away in time. They rolled together and Midnight slashed at his eyes as he did the same. He chomped down on her throat and she gasped in pain. Midnight gathered strength in her back legs and shoved him off of her. She stood up and gasped for air, blood slowly leaking from her massive wound. "You thought it be that easy to kill me?"

"Looks like you're already almost dead."

Midnight lunged for him and he met her half way. They clashed and snarled while snapping at each other's throats. Midnight felt her teeth sink into his throat and she bit down with all of her might. Suddenly, she was torn off of Tank by Darkocean. Midnight slashed him across the face and Darkocean had to recover for a moment. Midnight looked to Stormclaw and was relieved to see him standing. Yet, he was covered in wounds. "Why can't you just give up? This is the end of you, Midnight!"

"Never! I don't think Dawn would've wanted this!"

"Dawn... All I want is to avenge her. You... you killed her."

"You know it's not my fault! Why can't you see that? She died giving birth to me! It wasn't my fault!"

"Is that true, Tank?" Darkocean looked baffled.

"No... Don't listen to her. I told you she was a liar."

"Darkocean... Do you really think I'd want to kill anyone. Tank is just using you. As soon as I'm dead you will be too. He can't have any witnesses. You'll be buried just as I will."

Darkocean remained silent. He looked from Tank to Stormclaw and Midnight. "I can't listen to your lies, Midnight. Not now... Not ever."

Midnight braced herself to fight once more.