Claws and Scars

Chapter 5: The Encounter, by Echomist

     "Scourge?" Scourge stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. "Scourge, are you awake?" Scourge leapt to his feet. Brick and Bone were standing over him. 

     "Now I am. What's the problem?" Scourge licked a paw. Brick looked away. 

     "Well... there are some rogues behind a Twoleg food place and-"

      "They're causing a lot of trouble," Bone glanced at Brick. "We're worried they're going to hurt or even kill someone." "

    W-will you help us?" Brick asked. Scourge rolled his eyes. 

      "Lead me to them." It feels good, Scourge thought as he followed the two cats. Really good. These cats trust me. They believe I can solve their problem. Scourge sniffed the air. Forest. Has the tabby come back? Maybe it's my turn now. Scourge turned the corner and there stood a much larger dark brown tabby cat with amber eyes and a bent tail he had never seen before. Oh, well. He's no less of an intruder. Scourge narrowed his eyes. The tom was pinning down a smaller cream she-cat with grey patches and icy blue eyes, growling.

     "You think you can just come here and take my food, without my say-so? Get over there and bring me something to eat! Then maybe I'll decide what to do with you." Scourge arched his back, hissing. 

     "Leave her alone and get out of here." A dark grey she-cat's eyes gleamed with hostility. 

     "Trouble, boss?" A pure white tom with a black paw curled his lip. "Want us to take care of it?" The tabby thought for a moment. 

     "No. Trouble would be bigger. We're looking at a nuisance." They stalked toward the small black tom. "You want to talk, runt? If I speak, it'll only be to the leader of this ramshackle, sorry lot." Scourge tensed, and bared his teeth. 

     "Then speak to me." The tabby's eyes widened.

      "Speak to y-" He burst out laughing. His gang joined in. "You?" The tom looked at him mockingly. "Leader? You're nothing but a kittypet, runt." A light grey tom with pale grey-blue eyes unsheathed his claws in front of Scourge's face. 

     "Tell you what, runt. We're just passing through, but while we're here, you can be my personal slave. Get me some water." He shoved his muzzle in Scourge's face. "Now." They're laughing, thought Scourge. They're laughing at me. Laughing. Scourge turned around. Brick and Bone were backing away, and Scourge hissed. His cats were doubting him. He could feel the blood in his veins growing colder. I'm not small. I'm not weak. I'm not a runt. I'm Scourge, and this place belongs to me. And if they won't give me proper respect I'll take it by force. Scourge slashed at the light grey tom's throat, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. He took his last, shallow breath, and went limp. Dead. My cats need to be shown. Once they understand what can be done... they'll trust in me to show them how to do it. Scourge could feel his cats behind him, moving in ranks. Scourge snarled at the tabby tom. The tabby tom growled back. 

     "I've had enough of this place. It's time we returned to where we belong." He turned to his gang, then glared at Scourge. "The forest." The rogue cats stalked away, grumbling amongst themselves. I had to have ice in my blood to do what I just did. Scourge kicked dust over the dead body. He expected the ice to melt... But it doesn't. It just grows colder and colder... And he welcomes it.