(Edited - 12/5/17)
The sun was still high in the sky when they reached the vast wheat fields. Stripes looked around, expecting something to happen.
"Now what?" Paddy asked, his eyes darting around.
"I don't know," she meowed. "We finally reached here, but... nothing is happening."
"I don't like this," the dog growled. "We are too exposed here. What if those zombies come for us again? It could be a trap."
Stripes agreed with him. They were like dark spots on white paper, easily noticable. There was also no trees or rocks to hide nearby.
"Let's get out of the field," Paddy suggested. "I have a bad feeling about standing around here."
The tuxedo cat nodded and they made their way out of the fields.
"Leaving so soon?"
Stripes froze in fear as she saw the leader of the zombies, who attacked them previously, advancing on them. Paddy let out a threatening growl.
There were more zombies than before. They surrounded them, their weapons drawn.
"It seems that my lord changed his mind about killing you and wants you two as prisoners instead," the leader said. "Come with us willingly, and I will not harm you."
"In your dreams!" Paddy snarled.
"Maybe if I injure your little cat friend, you would be more cooperative." The armoured zombie stood out his sword and raised it threateningly over Stripes.
She was rooted on the ground in shock as the blade moved closer.
"Wait!" Paddy yowled. "I'll... come with you."
"Good," he sounded satisfied. "Now move along, or you will not see the last of my sword."
Paddy was bristling in anger, but he did not attack, only walking close to Stripes. She was quivering in fear, remembering how vicious the zombies were when they attacked.
Paddy moved closer to her, as if he was trying to give her courage. She noticed the gesture and smiled weakly.
As they walked out of the wheat fields, Stripes realised that some of the wheat was crushed and torned. Some even had dried blood stains on it.
She shivered. It must have been the place where the zombies attacked Paddy and his other friends a long time ago.
"I will make them pay," Paddy vowed, his eyes burning with determination.
I wish I could help you cope with your past, Stripes thought sadly. But what can I do when I can't even get over my own past? I will only pull you down.
The group of zombies led them to an old castle. Some of the stones that made up the castle were cracked and moldy.
Stripes stared at it hesitantly as they approached the castle. Its towering height intimidated her.
"Keep moving," a zombie grunted, giving her a shove.
Paddy let out a low growl as he fought the urge to leap at the zombie.
The zombies brought them to a dimly litted throne room. There was an unknown figure sitting there, wearing a cloak darker than night.
The monsters left hastily. Stripes and Paddy found themselves alone with the mysterious figure.
They stood up and walked toward them. Paddy stood in front of Stripes, his muscles tensed.
"If you value your lives, you will do as I say." It was a male's voice, quiet yet dangerous.
"What do you want from us?" Stripes asked.
"Nothing."
"What?" Paddy was not convinced.
"I merely want to reunite you with your family." It was directed at Stripes, who was speechless.
"Y-you know where they are?" she meowed, her eyes brimming with emotion.
"Of course." He gestured to a zombie who brought two cats with him. One was of a bright ginger tabby pelt, while the other had a striking resemblance to Stripes; a tuxedo cat.
Stripes was speechless as her gaze fell on her parents, who were trying to keep a straight face.
"You see, when I found out that you were the kit of Honey and Jake, I had to bring you back to their side. Wouldn't you like a nice family union?"
"I'm sorry, Stripes," Jake stepped forward, his face conflicted. "We had to abandon you. We couldn't drag you into this."
"Drag me into what?" she meowed.
"When we moved to the jungle, we were offered a proposition. To work with him or die. As we debated on whether to believe it, we found out that other ocelets who refused were killed. Therefore, to protect you, we agreed." Honey's face flashed with guilt.
"We didn't realise that we were involved in a plot to destroy the City. We were given the task to spy on the City, and as we slowly grasped the severity and danger of our tasks." Stripes noticed how Jake was glancing at the unknown figure who was watching the scene silently.
"I don't trust him," Paddy whispered. "There must be a motive for this."
"... we decided to leave you," Jake continued. "We thought it was for the best that you were never involved."
Suddenly, the figure started clapping. "What a marvellous story," he sneered. "But we haven't even reached the most interesting part! The part where your parents' actions resulted in the complete annihilation of the City and the death of thousands in the process."
Stripes turned to her parents with the look of betrayal in her eyes. "I... can't believe this..."
It was like a slash to her heart. She had always thought that her parents were kindhearted and honest, but what she heard just contradicted her beliefs.
"I believe that's enough for a family reunion. Kill them."
Within a blink of an eye, Stripes' parents lay dead at her paws. An anguished yowl escaped the tuxedo cat's jaws as she grasped the reality of what just happened.
Stripes broke down and sobbed.
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More to be revealed in the next chapter.
Now that Stripes' parents are dead, how can she cope with it? Who on earth is that unknown figure?
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