Stolen (Book 1 of the Outcast Quartet)

Epilogue

Spiritpaw

At the crack of dawn on the third day, we set out. The queens and kits, as well as any elders, stayed in the center while the rest of the Clan surrounded them. I could feel it deep inside that this journey would not be an easy one, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many Clanmates will die before reaching the next camp.

            Glancing over my shoulder, I stared at the place I had called home since arriving to this wretched Clan. For some reason I felt slightly empty at the thought of leaving this place, it was the only place I knew since kithood. “Spiritpaw, promise not to push yourself,” Orangepaw meowed as she joined me, her eyes gleaming with concern. “If you ever feel tired or weak, just tell me and I’ll help you.”

            “I’ll be fine,” I assured, I already felt much stronger since I first woke up. Still, my wounds continued to sting and I was just now starting to get used to the fact that half of my ear had been torn off.  If this journey is a long one, how long will I be able to last?

Jadepaw

I sat outside of the healer’s den, watching as the able cats worked on rebuilding the center’s collapsed nests. I felt guilty at the thought of just watching, but what would someone with a bunch of broken ribs be able to do anyways? I heard the den’s entrance shifting before Talia slowly joined me, the empty socket where her eye normally would be covered in cobwebs. She didn’t say anything, just sat beside me as she watched the progress.

            “Talia, it’s good to see you up and moving,” Owl greeted as he walked up to us, I watched him curiously as his tail twitched nervously. What was he so nervous about? “I need to tell you something…” he glanced around, eyeing the center cats nervously. “Can we talk inside the den, Jadepaw you’re welcome to hear this as well.”

            We filed into the medicine cat den and Owl gestured for us to get comfortable. Sitting down on my nest, I curled my tail over my paws while wandering if this conversation would be a long one or not. “Talia, Jadepaw, I am not who you think I am…”

Juniperpaw

I carefully slipped out of the camp, making sure no one saw me, as I wondered out into the forest. Since the time The Shadow brought me back, I never slept and I found out that I didn’t have to eat as well. The nights were long and lonely, my thoughts being my only companion until the sun rose into the dark sky. It felt good to sneak out of the camp, and to watch as the pitch black sky slowly turned bright as the sun’s rays appeared.

            Sitting in a clearing I had discovered a few days ago, I sat staring up at the endless sky as the black sky started to gleam with bright oranges, reds and yellows. I turned my attention towards someone fast approaching, it was Bird. “Do you enjoy to watch the sunrise as well?” he greeted as he joined me.

            I didn’t bother to respond as I silently watched the sun slowly drift up into the sky. It was a new dawn, yet I felt like the dark night would always continue.

Whisppaw

I let out a soft moan as my eyes slowly cracked open, I was lying on a pebbly shore while gentle waves lapped at my hind paws. Coughing I forced myself up and winced when the world spun rapidly while my head throbbed painfully. Quickly sitting down, I surveyed my surroundings. Where was I? I let out a gasp as I spotted a limp sodden figure a few fox-lengths away. “Sandpaw!” leaping to my paws, despite my throbbing head and the spinning, I wobbled over to him. He didn’t stir, just lay their limp and unmoving.