Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 38

Heartpaw stared at a messy forest of...well, he didn't know. The smells were foreign to him. Except the scent of rat. He jumped as the grey cat slunk out from under a small den of brown, rotting wood. In the loner's mouth hung a giant rat. It had sharp and long claws and a sharp tooth stuck out of its mouth. It looked slightly deadlier than he had imagined. He stopped himself from cringing. 

               "Wondered when you'd come," the loner said. "Even had time to catch myself a rat. Not like it was hard to find. This place is teeming with them." 

               "What's your name?" asked Heartpaw suddenly. 

              "Ha," laughed the cat, dropping the rat to the ground. "Wondered when you'd ask. I'm Rio, how'bout you?"

              "Heartpaw," Heartpaw said reluctantly. Rio nodded and trotted off, disappearing behind a clump of trash. Heartpaw took a step forward. Some of the ground was hard, like the Thunderpath, other parts were overgrown with weeds and the other parts were covered in all kinds of small things. Heartpaw slunk after Rio, feeling suddenly nervous. The loud squeaking of rats was much louder now and they almost seemed like they were growling. Heartpaw had a growing sense of fear but he followed Rio.

              "First thing about catching rats, try not to get all of them after you," Rio said. 

               "How do I do that?" asked Heartpaw. 

               "Luck," replied Rio with a glint of amusement. 

               "Luck?..." echoed Heartpaw softly. Rio nodded and pricked his ears. 

               "Listen for one," instructed Rio. 

                "I can hear many, don't worry," muttered Heartpaw. He had a growing sense of unease and felt the great urge to race out. 

               "Then tell me where they are," Rio said. 

               "Um, around," muttered Heartpaw, eyeing the place doggedly. 

               "You're not very good at this," Rio pointed out. 

               "Whatever, I'm leaving," growled Heartpaw. 

               "Already?" Rio said. "I thought you might last longer. Not as brave as I thought you'd be." Heartpaw growled at this but didn't answer. He didn't feel brave either. 

              "Come, on how about I catch the rats, you watch," Rio said. "You could learn like that. You won't have to do anything." 

               "Fine," muttered Heartpaw. Rio nodded and slunk away. Heartpaw slunk after him, his eyes dodged about. Rio suddenly stopped and a large rat, as big as a kit, appeared, eyeing them with red eyes. It made a scuffling noise but didn't run upon seeing Rio and Heartpaw. Heartpaw felt his heart drop. What kind of prey wasn't scared of its predator. Rio crouched and watched the rat patiently. Suddenly, almost scaring Heartpaw, Rio darted forward and caught the rat in his jaws and bit on hard. The rat squeaked in fury and twisted in Rio's jaw. Rio then brought the rat to the ground hard then bit its neck once more to make sure it was dead. 

              "Here," Rio said and tossed the rat to Heartpaw. He buried it, in a daze. Then he followed Rio once again. This time, Rio waited for a rat near a small shelter. They didn't have to wait long. A rat poked its head out and without hesitation, Rio brought his front paw down on its head and then bit its neck. It had almost bit him. 

              "That was close," muttered Heartpaw. 

             "It was supposed to be," Rio said and pushed the rat to Heartpaw. Heartpaw brought it back to the other rat and buried it. In no time, Rio had caught seven rats. He helped Heartpaw carry them out back into Shadowclan territory and without warning, Rio disappeared. Heartpaw finished bringing the last rat to the pile of rats and looked up. Rio wasn't there anymore. He had disappeared. Heartpaw frowned. What kind of cat helped a stranger then didn't wait for a thank you? Rio was queer. Heartpaw then only realised he would get in trouble. He was not supposed to go to the Carrionplace. But nobody had ever talked to him about it. So nobody had told him not to go so he could at least use that as an excuse. Then there were the rats. Of course, the Clan would be happy for so much prey but would they believe he had caught it himself? Plus he still had the mouse he had caught much earlier. He sighed. He couldn't bring in all the rats alone so he ran back to camp. Inside, he looked around, Firpaw and Honeypaw were lounging near a bush and Honeypaw smiled when she spotted Heartpaw.