Goldenspot's Agony

Chapter 3

"Whitefoot, Sleekpelt, and Ivypaw - you all look near the beach. Bluesky, Windwhisker, Magnoliapaw, and Ivypaw, will search in the forest."

"Hey Goldenpaw. Let's go with them." Specklepaw whispered in her ear.

"Grr, okay." She answered, pulling her paws out from under her.

Specklepaw and Goldenpaw rushed out of the apprentice den, avoiding the thick brambles surrounding it.

Birdwing was already out there waiting for her patrol.

"Specklepaw you will go with the forest patrol. Goldenpaw you will go on a patrol with Darkeye and Birdwing." Bumbleclaw talked calmly across the clearing. "Go in between the forest and beach."

The cats on her patrol dipped their heads to Bumbleclaw, then padded out of camp.

~~~

Goldenpaw walked ahead of the her mother and her later to be mate. Darkeye and Birdwing was behind her.

"B-birdwing, look!" Goldenpaw gasped
There was blood leading somewhere. Birdwing gasped as well and started trotting a little faster.

"There! It leads to this bush!" She rushed up to the bush and skidded to a halt, letting her tail drag in the dirt after she saw something.

"What is it?" Goldenpaw was hot on Birdwing's heels.

"No!" Goldenpaw screeched when she saw it. Tears rolled down her face and her legs started to tremble. "Why him!" She screeched again, letting her head hang. Birdwing rubbed her head against Goldenpaw's, reassuring her that it was okay.

Darkeye just stared in horror, letting his jaws hang open.

((Slight gore))

It was Rainfall. His legs were bent backwards and his head was nearly torn off. Maggots crawled through his scraggly fur. Cockroaches crawled out of his eye sockets. His ears were scratched to where they were nearly a small piece of fur. Dirt was wedged in nearly every crease in his body. I stared in horror along with Darkeye.

"Why..." Birdwing lowered her head, letting tears roll down her cheeks.

"We need to alert the clan that there is a killer. Rainfall needs a proper burying as well." Darkeye whispered under his breath.

"I agree." Birdwing added.

Goldenpaw just sat there and sulked. 'Why would Starclan take him this early?' Goldenpaw asked herself.

~~~

Goldenpaw helped drag what remained of Rainfall back to camp.

As they entered camp, cats stared in horror at the brutal murder.

"Sweetstar, we have found Rainfall. He deserves a proper burial." Darkeye spoke up, puffing his chest out at his leader.

"Fine." Sweetstar scowled.

The rest of the clan arrived shortly after the patrol successfully found Rainfall. They all huddled up around him and gave a speech of how wonderful he was.

Goldenpaw was next. It took her a few heartbeats to gather her words, then she spoke. "He was the best father ever. He always treated me like I was important. I felt like I was worth something when he complimented me." Goldenpaw started to tear up. "I wish I could have him back with me right now." She started to sob.

The rest of the clan finished their speeches, leaving only Birdwing, Goldenpaw, and Specklepaw alone with his body. Goldenpaw rested her muzzle in his dry, bloody fur, ignoring the disgusting bugs crawling through him.

~~~

The only elders; Pinkbelly and Dappletuft took his body outside for burial.

It was nighttime now, and most cats were asleep. Only Specklepaw and Goldenpaw were awake. Goldenpaw sighed, then rested her head on her paws, trying to sleep. Specklepaw lay down on her side, with her legs tucked under her. She looked at Goldenpaw. Goldenpaw saw a dull, green color in her eyes. All of her energy was drained from her body and she was sad.

"Specklepaw." Goldenpaw whispered.
"Yes?" She asked unenthusiastically.
"I want to find who killed Rainfall..."Goldenpaw growled. "... and I will leave then clan to do it. I'm tired of Sweetsar's horrible attitude to my father and my family."

Specklepaw gasped. "Are you going to tell Birdwing?"

"Yes. But I'm not going soon. I'm going to wait until I'm a warrior. I need to finish my apprentice training before I find them." She growled under her breath so only Specklepaw could hear.

Specklepaw gasped again. "I'm going with you then." She answered heartbeats later.

Goldenpaw yawned, surprised that she was actually tired. 'I guess getting all of that off of my chest helped me go to sleep.' She thought.

Sleep came, drowning all of the forests wonderful noises from her ears.