Odds And Ends (random book)

SCRIPTORIAL | Round Zeta - calling a bluff

2017
WattyWarriors
Watty Warriors Fan Magazine SCRIPTORIAL

Single elimination one-on-one short story writing tournament for Warriors.

Result - advanced

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"Please... please, you have to get me out of here..."

Panzer tapped at the strong, clear part of the wall seeming to separate them from the outside. The whole twoleg structure rattled and groaned under the thundering mess of paws just underneath.

"No use," Panzer responded. "I might be able to break it, but even then-"

A thud cracked the wood block in front of them, all that was separating them from the fury outside. Again, and again. Each brought the cry of a warrior, each was quieter than the last.

"We don't have much time!" the she-cat screamed. She crowded her kits around her, tightly shutting her eyes. "Break it! We can... we can walk down the steps and..."

Several paws slammed on the wall. The charred wood bent under their weight. Terrified screeches and hisses echoed from the floor below. Blood began to trickle in the space under the door.

"Please do something!" The she-cat screamed. "My kits will die!"

"I break this thing," Panzer said, "we both choke from the ash cloud outside. Black-heart twoleg sky-monsters really tore this place up. Trust me. We don't need to be anywhere near those fires for them to kill us."

"So what? We die?!"

The block slammed forward. A small piece snapped off the middle. The thuds stopped. And all below seemed quiet against what both knew was coming.

Panzer stepped in front of the queen. Her legs cracked as she dropped into a crouch. "If we have to take our chances between a burning smoke cloud or a few wildcats then bring on the savages. We can't fight choking to death!"

The thick block of wood creaked open, just open enough for a couple of wildcats to slip in. They were massive, easily double Panzer's size. One was smaller - Panzer's size - but seemed younger. Both were hidden by the shadows, the light of the room barely enough for any to see.

"This is where you hide," the larger cat said, his voice deep and scratchy. "Good spot to... what is that smell?"

The smaller cat came into the light first, her all brown fur clumped in dark, moist tufts. She held another in her jaws, limp and dripping blood from his head. She tossed the limp body aside, growling at the queen.

"She kits!" the young wildcat said. "Now of all times, she kits... they smell fresh."

The massive wildcat stepped forward. His black and grey tabby pelt was covered in ash specks. One of his paws was bleeding from the bottom, sticking to the wood with each step.

"Odd timing," he started, "that StarClan choose now to give new life... we not here for her. We want you."

He pointed a large, bushy paw at the old medicine cat. Panzer crawled to the other side of the den, cornering herself.

"Look, Hawkpaw, kittypet healer knows nothing of battle. Look how she crawls, how she corners herself!"

The senior wildcat slammed the wood block shut behind him. He walked over the dead warrior and towards the queen.

"Step away from her, badger!" Panzer shouted. "If you-"

Like I said, we here for you. I just here to keep your clanmate company."