Made of Stone

    Rain fell against the muddy ground, soaking the leaves that had fallen. Vinestar’s paws lightly hammered the ground and he swiftly walked along the border line. Strange scents have been found along this side of the territory, and he was determined to figure out what is was, for the safety of Crescentclan. His cats have been reporting an ominous catlike smell, but not quite. This struck Vinestar as strange- what could smell like a cat but also not?

    Long trees loomed over the dark tom as he searched the area. The sky was dark with heavy, gray clouds. His pelt was beginning to become as soaked as the ground was. His fur was very dense, but he could feel the cold water. Vinestar shivered. He decided to give the search a rest for today- it had only started raining recently, but by now the scents would be gone.

    On his way back to camp, his ears caught a bit of rustling. He stopped and looked around, but assumed the noise was probably nothing important. It was raining- everything should be hiding. He shook his head and continued to walk, the wet leaves mushing under his paws.

. . .

    Four days following that rainy day Vinestar had searched a number of three more times- all with no luck. However, during the night, when the stars shone their brightest, he was awoken by a loud scream. He shot out of his den, finding a few other cats awoken by the shriek as well.

    His deputy came running toward him. “Vinestar, what was that? It sounded like a cat!” she said, her voice panicked. Sunblossom was a compassionate cat, and so was Vinestar. He was curious as well.

    “We should see what it was- see if anyone is in danger,” he concluded, his green eyes directed at the golden she-cat. “Sunblossom, tell Mistflight and Pebblefall to come with me,” he ordered, “you’ll be in charge while I’m gone.” She nodded and went to collect said cats.

    Once the three of them had gathered, Vinestar flicked his tail for the small patrol to follow him into the forest. They walked quietly toward to origin of the yelp.

    “Do you think it’s an intruder?” Mistflight whispered to the gray she-cat.

    “It’s not one of ours,” Pebblefall replied, avoiding a fallen branch. “I didn’t see anyone leave camp tonight.” She had been guarding the camp entrance when the scream was heard.

    Vinestar’s emerald eyes scanned the area. “Possibly,” he noted, “now hush, we’re almost there.” The three found themselves in a clearing- blood painting the floor.

    The leader heard Mistflight gasp behind him. The blood led to a body, a orange and white she-cat was sprawled across the ground with a huge gash in her back. Vinestar quickly padded over to her as Pebblefall investigated the rest of the clearing. The she-cat’s chest was shallowly rising.

    “What happened?” the brown tom hoped she wasn’t unconscious. Her eyes tightened before she opened them- two blue orbs, each one in considerable pain.

    She gasped, “Schrödinger- it was.” she coughed, blood splattering onto Vinestar’s paws.

    He bent over and licked her cheek. “Shh- it’ll be okay,” he whispered. “What’s your name?” he asked, looking into her eyes.

    Her breathing became rough. “Citrus,” the she-cat rasped, “I shouldn’t have... come.”

    “What?” Vinestar questioned, suprised by her comment. However, it was too late. Citrus was gone- her body limp and growing cold. The leader growled, angry that he couldn’t find out who, or what, did this to her, and angry that he couldn’t do anything about it. He never knew this cat, but he could feel the pain of her death.