Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Fastclaw

     The images in Coalkit's mind scarred him.  His mother's head before Aquakit, Fireblaze snapping his sister's neck.  Coalkit closed his eyes for a brief second.  He opened them shortly after.  Fireblaze is no longer my father.  I have no kin left.  No kin left... No kin.  No Aquakit or Amberkit.  No Wingshadow.  Yet still Fireblaze.
I will get my revenge, one day.
One day.
The wind blows through Coalkit's long, sleek black fur as he runs.  Coalkit's fear had taken control of his mind.  He had run for miles, yet to him it felt like he had just left camp.  His last meal had been only hours ago, but it felt like moons.  He was famished and thirsty.  His paw pads were cracked and bleeding, and his legs were sore from running.  Running for so long.  He was sweating all over, and his tail was drooping as he ran.  Only the wind from his speed could lift it.  The kit was exhausted, yet he kept running.  What fear could do to a cat.  His brain was oblivious to trees, roots, and puddles.  His feet had to take over.  When he tripped on a root, he immediately got up and kept running.  He didn't give his body a break, no matter how much he yearned to catch up.  His tongue was lolling out, heavy breaths escaping.  Yet Coalkit kept on running.  What fear could do to a cat...
     Now the sun was rising.  It had been the evening when Fireblaze killed his kin.  All dead.  All dead.  Never to be back on Earth...  Coalkit had been running all night.  Yet he didn't notice.  And finally, Coalkit noticed.  He noticed that his stomach was howling, and that his paws were aching.  That he was thirsty.  That his tongue was practically falling off.  He was absolutely exhausted.  And finally, all the energy he lost took control of him.  His body took over his fear.
"You worked yourself too hard, Coalkit.  Take a break, it won't hurt.  Your paws need a break.  Your legs need a break.  Your tongue needs more water; your stomach more food.  Take a break..."  Coalkit's body took over his mind.  Coalkit collapsed.  No, Fireblaze is right behind me!  Coalkit's thoughts screamed at his legs.  Get up!  Get up!  
"Get up!  Get up!"  Coalkit perked his ears.  His brain relaxed.  I guess I'm going crazy.
"You have to get up!" Or not.  Something is talking to me...
"Please get up, Blaze, please get up!"  A she-cat.  Is my name Blaze?  Coalkit couldn't remember.  Or was it fire?  Flame?  
"I can't!" No, I can't.  But I didn't say that.  Where is it coming from?  
"You have to get up!  The fox will kill you if you don't!"  What in the name of Blaze is a fox?  And who's talking?  Curiosity persuaded Coalkit to open his eyes.  Red drops were covering the ground.  That's blood, right?  Its blood.  I think.  Then two fuzzy shaped appeared before him.  No, three.  Four!  Three.  A third orange blurry figure was running towards two fuzzy things.  Coalkit could see that one was on the ground.  The second was over the other.
"Hurry!  The fox is coming!  Please get up, Blaze!" Oh, wow!  The thing- fox- is coming towards the blur on the ground.  I guess that is a bad thing, for the other cat sounds... scared?  Is that the emotion for fear?  Yes, it is.  If that thing doesn't get up... The blurry objects weren't objects.  They were cats.  Two cats.  Coalkit blinked.  The blurriness was gone.  A fox was running toward the two cats.  It would kill them if the one cat didn't get the other cat off the ground.  Blood.  Blood, that cat is bleeding.  Its too weak to get up.  Coalkit sighed.  That cat on the ground- Blaze- reminded him of someone.  Someone familiar.  Someone doing the same thing.
     The cat standing screamed.  Not because of the cat on the ground.  The fox had sprung.  And it was cut short by a black blur this time.  And Coalkit couldn't see the blur.  The blur was clear.  He was the blur.
     Where am I?  What should I do?  Coalkit was facing the fox, its long, skinny muzzle inches from his.  This thing will KILL me!  What do I do?  Coalkit searched his memory for any traces of fighting foxes.  There was nothing.  Nothing from before today.  Or was it a moon?  How long had I been lying there?  
     The fox lunged at Coalkit.  Coalkit reached out with his paw and swiped at the fox.  It snarled, a yip of surprise.  I don't need memory for fighting!  My claws and body takes over that, not my brain!  Coalkit jumped on the shocked fox, using surprise as the key to the battle.  And after awhile, the fox ran.  Coalkit purred.  Now to figure out who I am.