BONES~ CHAPTER TEN

Instructions

CW~ D3ad cats, violent k!lling, bl00d (This is one of the most g0ry chapters in BONES) ~BONEPAW~ Just as I step outside the stick den for some fresh air, Cloudgaze materializes. I yelp as he swings his claw at me and grazes my muzzle. "Ow, what in-" I catch myself before saying 'afterlight'- "The Hollow's name was that for?" I try and wipe the guilt from my face, licking at my chest fur embarrassedly. His expression stays stony and cold. "Sparring day. You couldn't fight four cats, so we'll make sure you can hold off at least three before we come back next moon." I begin to protest, but Cloudgaze wraps around me and in a moment, we're in The Hollow. Cold wind bites at my fur, and the air tastes like decay and rot. I hate it here. There's no way this is the good afterlife. But maybe it's only like this because I'm alive. Cloudgaze nods, like he's reading my thoughts- actually, he probably is. "Yes," he mews proudly, "The Hollow looks gray and grungy to cats who're still alive. But to spirits, this place is paradise." We find an area to spar- an area of the marsh that's not soaked with sludgy water- and face off. Cloudgaze smirks, claws unsheathing, and mews, "There are no rules. Now!" He lunges fast, without giving me time to counter his attack. Almost immediately, I'm pinned to the ground, writhing and flailing wildly. "You obviously can't fight against me," he spits, lifting his paws. "Useless. I'll have you train with some others here." Cloudgaze flicks his ear, and a cat appears. A shiver runs down my spine. They look empty- there's no spark in their orange eyes, they carry themselves in a way that suggests they've given up. Their tortie fur is matted and scars are all over their pelt. Cloudgaze smiles. "This is Chicorystem, a misunderstood cat like me. They'll be training you while I rest. Don't try anything." As soon as Cloudgaze disappears, Chicorystem exhales in relief. The light is back in their eyes. "H-hello," they meow. I feel like something shifted- that feeling I got when I was about to k!ll Moorpaw. I can't place it, but it makes me feel free, like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. "Hi," I reply. "Do you know what's happening?" I try and keep my voice from wavering as I continue. "Cloudgaze said I have to fight you so I can train to fulfi-" Chicorystem lashes their tail. "Fulfill a prophecy that says that six months' worth of MistClan kits and elders must d!e." My jaw drops. "How...do you know about that?" Were they the chosen one before me? Someone else Cloudgaze needed to help him? "Because," they hiss, "the prophecy is fake. Cloudgaze is a greedy, ambitious cat that couldn't have what he wanted, so he's trying to make sure no one else can have it either." Their demeanor becomes angrier with each word. "He used me, convinced me the prophecy was true, and I k!lled kits and elders like he told me to." I can't believe this? Is this really true? Or are they lying to me? "No," I sputter, "This can't be real. Cloudgaze is trying to help the Clan!" Chicorystem laughs, a bitter laugh that echoes in my skull. "He's already poisoned your mind," they snarl. "This isn't a place for good cats. What you're seeing is what exists. The Hollow is a place where evil cats go." I hear a low growl coming from behind them. "Chicorystem, watch-" A yowl interrupts me. Cloudgaze bursts from the bushes, claws out, and slams them to the ground. Bl00d spatters my pelt and the ground as he tears at Chicorystem's fur and skin. "You sicko," they gasp, baring their teeth. "What're you-" Cloudgaze digs his hind claws into their belly, and in one swift motion, rakes it completely open. Chicorystem screams in ag0ny, bl00d spurting from their mouth, their nose, their eyes. I watch, horrified, as Cloudgaze rips out their !nnards with his teeth. Chicorystem lets out one last dying wail, then falls silent. The only noises are the bl00d roaring in my ears and Cloudgaze's heavy breathing. He turns to me, jaws stained scarlet, eyes wild. "They were a liar. I'm glad you didn't believe them at all. You're a loyal cat, and they're just another impure one." He kicks the c4daver, causing more org4ns to fall out, and stares at me. After a long moment of silence, I feel like I'm being picked back up again, and my emotions are dulled. "I didn't believe them for a second," I say, but the words still don't feel right, like last time. Cloudgaze nods approvingly. He wraps around me again, and we're back at the shelter. By now, it's dark, and the moon is high in the sky. I collapse in my nest and fall asleep immediately. My dreams are filled with the dying, tortured screams of Chicorystem.