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Post by Maplestone360 on May 7, 2017 14:16:12 GMT -5
Prologue
It was almost time for Nova to become an apprentice. The only problem was that, in the few minutes that were before the ceremony, he’d become the most jittery kitten the Colony had ever seen.
“Hold still,” his mother, Snow, meowed with a chuckle as she tried to lick his fur flat. He knew he was probably making it difficult for her, with all his fidgeting. She’d smooth out one of his clumps of ginger fur only to have it bunch up again two seconds later. He wished he could command his pelt not to feel all crawly and nervous. Especially with his father watching them only a few fox-lengths away.
Will I get a good mentor? he couldn’t help but wonder. Will I be able to handle my new rank? …Will Flame be proud of me?
Nova glanced up to where his grandfather was sitting on one of the twisting roots of the Great Oak, waiting for the Colony to gather for the ceremony.
I hope I don’t let him down.
Snow looked up from her job of cleaning Nova’s untamable pelt for a moment. “Nervous?” she asked him. Nova turned to look at his mother, shock shining in his emerald-green eyes. “H-how did you know?” he squeaked, feeling small.
“I could tell,” Snow replied, her features warm with a sympathetic smile. When Nova attempted to flatten his fur so he wouldn’t look quite as obvious, she added, “Don’t worry, I was too when I first became an apprentice.” She was? Nova wondered with surprise. It was hard for him to imagine his mother being afraid of anything, especially not a mere apprentice ceremony. A question that had been nagging at him for ages slipped out of his mouth before he realized it. “Momma, do you think I’ll get to be a hunter too?” Snow looked like she didn’t know the answer to that question. “It's up to Flame to decide,” she told him instead, looking to the spot where the ginger leader was sitting by the tree. “And I know that he always chooses well.” Nova watched as his mother’s eyes clouded, as if she was remembering something about Flame’s choices that seemed to amuse her. He followed her gaze to the sight of his grandfather, warm admiration filling his chest as he saw all the other Colony cats looking up at him with respect. They all trust him, Nova observed with a smile. Well, so do I.
The sound of his mother’s purr broke into Nova’s thoughts. She’d seen the look he’d given Flame, and he could see in her eyes that she felt the same way about their leader. But what surprised him the most that morning, was what his mother said to him next, “One day, I bet you'll be a great leader, just like him.”
The praise filled Nova up, up, up until he didn’t think he could feel any happier in his life. And suddenly, he wasn’t afraid anymore. His mother was proud of him, and that was all that mattered. He wouldn’t let a little ceremony stop him.
And if she believed he could do it, then he knew nothing would be able to stop him.
Chapter 1
It was a cold morning. The pale gray light that came before dawn filtered into Nova’s den, turning his ginger pelt to silver. He hadn’t slept at all that night.
He still wasn’t used to the emptiness of his new den. He’d rather be sleeping with the rest of the cats in the Colony, where their soft snores lulled him to sleep and their pelts kept him warm. There was no one else here, where he had to sleep now.
Without their voices to distract him, his own thoughts were the only thing he heard. The thick walls kept out any sounds from above the ground. Not the wind, not the other animals that stayed awake throughout the night, not even the faint rumbling of cars and trucks in the distance. Only silence.
Nova thought it was rather lonely and cramped in the leader’s den, but he never said anything about it. Obviously, the other leaders before him didn’t mind. Even Flame, Nova thought bleakly.
The thought of his grandfather only brought bad memories to his mind. It was hard to take in, even after four moons, that Flame wasn’t around anymore. Remembering how the previous leader had gone aroused an aching feeling inside Nova he knew only too well. Without the distraction of the day, the memories and the pain had free passage in Nova’s mind. It often kept him awake at night.
He still remembered the sickness that came as if it had happened the day before. No one saw it coming. It caught many cats in its fierce claws, including both his grandparents. Autumn never recovered fully. It had weakened her the most; she hadn’t been Colony-born, and her body never fully adjusted to the wild. Not to mention the loss of her mate.
And Flame… well, he’d been less fortunate. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, and couldn’t fight it hard enough. The Colony had been devastated when Robin told them he wasn’t going to make it. Nova was terrified. He didn’t know who would be the leader after Flame: surely only his grandfather was worthy of the honor. He couldn’t imagine anyone taking his place.
Nova visited Flame in this very den shortly before he died. He had been too terrified to force any words out of his mouth, although he wanted to shout and scream and ask why, why did he have to die? Couldn’t Robin try harder to save him instead of just stand there and look grim? Couldn’t Flame be a little more concerned with the fact that he was about to die, and leave his Colony to fend for themselves, instead of just smiling up at his grandson like nothing was wrong?
Nova had hoped Flame would tell him something important and life-inspiring at least, but he hadn’t even done that. He’d just looked up at Nova and his mate and daughters, who were watching from near the entrance, and told them that he knew who the next leader would be.
“Who?” Robin had asked, leaning closer to Flame to hear.
Flame’s pale gaze had flickered over to Nova, who was crouched by his side. “Him. He will be the next leader of the Colony.”
Nova had nearly jumped back in shock. “M-me? But— but… I can’t… not without you…”
Flame’s eyes had been firm and determined, even in the last moments of his life. “Yes. I know you can do it. You’re the only one truly worthy to take my place. No one else but you.”
Nova hadn’t agreed right away. He’d tried to refuse, saying someone else would do better than him; anyone else. But there was no changing Flame’s mind. Even when Nova had grown frantic, pleading with Flame not to die and leave him like this, Flame had only murmured a single phrase: “I believe in you.”
After that, Flame went limp. His rasps for breath stopped. His icy blue eyes clouded, useful no more.
Nova hadn’t wanted to believe he was gone. He’d tried to find a pulse, a breath, anything. But Flame had only been cold.
It had taken his mother a great amount of coaxing to get him to calm down after that.
Flame’s death had been terrible enough for Nova. But to be there when it happened, to watch the light leave his eyes—
Nova shook himself to clear the memories. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. He didn’t want to remember that he was the leader now, with absolutely no experience or courage. He was only a spineless fleabag his grandfather had been wrong to trust. Not a leader. Not anybody.
Nova sat up in his nest. He looked up, out of the den’s tree root ceiling. It was nearly dawn now. He should go out and hunt, since it was the only thing he was good at. That was the only right decision Flame made about him: making him a Hunter. Now, as leader, he wasn’t required to hunt anymore, but he still liked doing it. It made him feel like he was actually doing something good for his Colony.
Nova rose from the warm moss and climbed out into the camp, where an early morning breeze chilled his pelt. He set his mind to hunting, not to living in dread and regretting his past. He couldn’t fail his Colony again.
Chapter 2
No one else was awake yet, so Nova had no trouble padding out of camp unnoticed. He made his way to the east of the trees, where he knew the hunting was good, checking for signs of prey along the way. The forest was silent. Not a sound reached his ginger ears.
But, when Nova did reach the place where the undergrowth grew thick, undisturbed by humans, Nova was surprised to see that he still hadn’t found any prey. The forest here was usually quite lively; even in the winter, a few small animals could be found scuttling about. Now, winter was long gone, and not even a mouse was in sight.
Strange… Nova thought, tasting the air for any scents or clues. He could smell prey, but very faintly, as if none of them had come out of their burrows and nests yet. They must be hiding, Nova concluded. But why? The question continued to boggle Nova’s mind as he continued his hunt, following the faint scents back to their homes. He came across a burrow of mice, and managed to flesh a couple of them out of their hole and into his claws. He then continued on, the two mice dangling from his jaws, searching for fresh-kill for his Colony.
After spending much time hunting with no results, Nova knew it would be best to just head back to camp and hope the prey would come out soon. Not only that, but the forest, void of all sounds or life, was making him uneasy. The trees loomed over him, and the wind whistled through their leaves, gossiping about all his fears and nightmares. Not a bird chirped; no prey darted through the undergrowth. There was just silence. Silence and the wind. Nova suddenly felt the urge to run back to camp. At camp, he would hear the voices and yawns of his Colony-mates as they rose from their nests. At camp, he wouldn’t be alone. No, Nova told himself. I can’t be afraid of anything. Flame wouldn’t be afraid. But Nova couldn’t push down the lump in his throat, the nerves crawling in his belly, the dampness growing on his paws. Nova was a coward. Nova was weak when he was all alone. Nova didn’t deserve to lead his Colony. Anger flared in Nova’s heart. He shouldn’t be having those thoughts. It wasn’t good for the Colony. They needed a strong, fearless cat to lead them, not a coward. He couldn’t let himself be the leader they didn’t deserve. Nova pushed his fear to the back of his mind, then raced back to camp. Nova took the last turn that lead to the entrance of the clearing, and nearly barreled face-first into a cat padding out of camp. He skidded to a stop, and a pair of sky colored eyes—which were barely a mouse-length away from him—met his gaze. For a moment, he forgot how to breathe. “H-Hazel!” he stuttered, his two mice falling from his jaws to the ground. “I-I didn’t mean to run into you.” He stepped away from the she-cat quickly. He didn’t want her to feel how quickly his heart was beating. Hazel smiled, her wonderful, beautiful smile that shined brighter than the stars. “It’s alright, Nova,” she mewed. “I know you must be in a big hurry.” “Y-yeah, I guess.” Nova felt his ears heating up in embarrassment. He wasn’t really in a hurry. He was just trying to get away from the frightening, soundless forest. “I just… just wanted to make sure the elders, o-or the kits, got something to eat if they were hungry,” he lied, nodding to the mice at his feet. Hazel gave him an amused, slightly confused look before stating, “Okay, then. See you later,” and padding out of camp. Only then did Nova remember that there were no kits in the Colony at the time. Rrhhg, stupid, so, so stupid, he scolded himself, trudging into camp with his ears flat. Hazel had probably easily guessed that he’d been lying. What she thought he’d really been up to, he didn’t know. Of course, Hazel was one of the smartest cats he knew, so he doubted she wouldn’t be able to tell. He hoped she didn’t know how he felt about her, though. He realized he was terribly obvious about it most of the time, he just… What? Didn’t want to be seen as weak? Didn’t want to have to lose her? Didn’t want to be embarrassed when she didn’t feel the same way? He didn’t know. All he knew was that, whenever he saw her, he felt like the world finally had meaning, but at the same time, felt like it was surely about to end. He both adored her, and was completely terrified of her. She was the one cat in the whole world who had the power to completely destroy him. Nova shook himself back to reality. He realized that he’d been standing at the entrance of his den, staring at his paws, for a long moment. He turned and padded to the fresh-kill pile, then dropped his mice on the top. At least, where there would’ve been a top if there was any prey. Nova tilted his head, puzzled. Was the hunting really that bad? Why hadn’t he noticed? Why hadn’t anyone told him? And, most importantly… what happened to all the prey? Nova padded back to his den to think. It made no sense. There had always been a steady supply of fresh-kill in the Colony; why would it stop now? Forgetting his fears about his terrible leadership, Nova stewed over the sudden decrease of prey, and what it might mean for the Colony.
Chapter 3
Nova blinked open his eyes groggily, resisting the urge to yawn. He must’ve fallen asleep at some point, although he didn’t remember when. It wasn’t unusual for it to happen when he sat and did nothing other than think for long periods of time. Pacing usually helped keep him awake, though.
Nova’s ears twitched when they picked up sounds of raised voices outside his den. He felt his stomach hollow with dread. Why did it sound like cats were arguing? What could be the matter? He climbed out of his den to see his councilors sharing frustrated glares and bristling pelts. No question: they had disagreed about something, and weren’t taking it lightly. Nova felt as if his stomach had tied itself in a knot. Padding over to them, he managed to hear an insult fly out of Alder’s mouth. “You wouldn’t know, because you’re not a Hunter!” the golden-brown tom hissed.
“But I’ve been living for much longer than you have, so I know there’s a problem when there’s a problem,” Sparrow growled. “What’s going on here?” Nova broke into their debate, his eyes wide with concern. Alder turned his hostile gaze to his leader. “Don’t you know? All the prey is in hiding! It’s becoming harder and harder to find any!” Nova had noticed, but he hadn’t known it was such a big problem. “Why is the prey hiding?” he asked. “That’s what I want to know!” Alder snarled. “Any more of this and we’re all going to starve!” The councilors’ noisy dispute had turned many frightened eyes in their direction, and Nova was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He didn’t want the Colony worrying about starving when, surely, it could be resolved?
“Alder, please lower your voice,” Nova requested quietly, giving Alder his best replica of his grandfather’s stern stare. “This will be taken care of in time.”
Alder huffed, rolling his yellow eyes at the sky. “I’ll hush up for now, but I don’t think you really understand how serious this problem is, Flame’s Boy.” He then stalked over to his den and disappeared without a sound.
Nova flinched at the name the Head Hunter had called him. Flame’s Boy? he thought. Why’d he call me that? But whatever it meant, Nova was sure it hadn’t been friendly.
Nova padded out of camp again in order to avoid all the eyes still on his pelt and all the hushed murmurs about the prey. He didn’t want them all looking at him. He was nothing important; no one worthy of leading them. But, all he could do was try. Unfortunately, the shortage of prey wasn’t making it easy.
As he came across a small clearing in the forest, a patch of sky visible among the leaves, he plopped down on his haunches, stressed and exhausted. He looked up at the sky, tinged pink as the sun set, and saw a few stars peeking out of the clouds. He wondered if Flame was among them. He wondered if his grandfather really did care, really did believe in him, or if it was all just an act. Maybe he wasn’t “meant” to be the leader after all.
“Why?” Nova cried out to the sky, hoping Flame would hear. “Why did you leave me here to lead the Colony? I don’t have an ounce of the skills you had, Grandfather…” He felt an icy claw of hopelessness pierce his heart. “There were plenty of other cats fit for the job… so why me? And why did you have to leave us? Why did you have to die?” Nova’s voice choked up at his last question; the question he had asked a million times in his head. Never before had he said it aloud. But, of course, the stars didn’t give him a single answer. If his ancestors were really up there, then they must not have cared about him at all; they must’ve been oblivious to his pain.
Staring desperately up at the sky like that, the stars so hopelessly far away, Nova had never felt so alone.
In his misery, Nova didn’t notice the cat coming up behind him, and when she touched his shoulder with her tail, he almost jumped. He noticed her sweet scent before he saw her face, and he felt more embarrassed in that moment then he’d ever felt in his life. Had she heard everything he’d said to thin air? Did she think he was foolish for trying to talk to the stars? Why had she followed him? And her touch… he never wanted her to lift her tail again. But he felt like his heart might burst with her so near. He wanted to tell her something, anything at all, but the only words he could choke out of his throat were, “Hazel… why are you here?”
The she-cat didn’t answer him. But what she did say was full to the brim with sympathy and kindness. “Did you find anything out from them?” She glanced up at the colorful sky.
“No… They’re just as silent as stars,” Nova replied, surprised that she wasn’t being at all judgmental about him attempting to consult their ancestors. He tensed, anxious about what she might say next.
“You know, Nova,” she meowed, her voice quiet and softer than silk, “sometimes there aren’t always answers to our questions, however much we want there to be. I know that leading an entire Colony must be hard for you, and I’m here to help you through it.”
Nova looked up into Hazel’s eyes, and he felt his heart skip a beat. But then, when she sat next to him and leaned into his side, he thought it might stop beating altogether. Did she feel the same way about him? Did she really care? Was what she’d said true?
A thousand questions swirled through his mind in the few short moments Hazel stayed by his side. But, he never wanted her to leave. The way her soft fur felt against his was both enticing and terrifying. The way she breathed so steadily, and the way her heart was quietly beating, was nothing like him. How could she seem so calm beside him when he thought he might die from all the pain?
If a moment could last forever… I want it to be this one.
But that moment ended all too soon. Hazel rose from his side, stretched, and said, “I… have to go. I promised my sister I’d be back soon.” As she padded away, Nova felt the familiar feeling of loneliness and shame coming back to him at full force. Her sweet scent still hung in the air, but her presence was gone, and he didn’t know how he would be able to lead the Colony without her, and without his grandfather.
As the sky grew darker, the stars became brighter, but he never felt his grandfather get any closer. He was completely alone.
He stayed in the forest, alone, forever unmoving, long after the sky lost its last traces of light.
Chapter 4
Nova didn't remember how long he had remained in the forest, lost in thought, but when he awoke he was lying in his den. Bright sunlight streamed through the entrance, letting him know that he had slept in for once. Rising from his nest, he padded out into camp to see what he had missed.
The clearing was mostly silent. Apart from a few hushed conversations, every cat seemed to be keeping to themselves. They were probably still tense from the previous night's argument, Nova guessed.
Although, none of the cats seemed as irritated as Alder. The tabby tom was hunched in the corner of the camp, his gaze low. At the sight of Alder’s sour attitude, Nova remembered the promise he had made about solving the problem of the prey. He knew he should get started as soon as he could.
Nova had begun making his way to the entrance of the camp, possible ways the problem could be resolved swirling through his mind, when he spotted Hazel padding towards him.
Nova's stomach began to churn as he remembered what else had happened the previous night, and he wondered what Hazel wanted from him.
“What're you up to?” she asked, looking up at him with curiosity shining in her eyes.
“I'm just— trying to figure out what happened to the prey,” Nova managed to reply.
“Mind if I tag along?” Hazel asked. Something about the way she said it didn't sound like a question to Nova. She would insist on coming whether he liked it or not.
“I guess not,” Nova mewed, defeated. “I was going to hunt near the neighborhood. Maybe we could find something out there.”
“Sounds good to me,” Hazel meowed, and together, they made their way out of camp.
As Nova padded through the forest—which was just as silent as it was before—with Hazel by his side, he couldn't help but admit that the eeriness of the lack of life wasn't as bad when Hazel was with him. Maybe she realized that, too, and had decided to come with him to comfort him. Nova would never know.
They walked in silence as they neared the edge of the forest. Nova wanted to say something, anything, to break this silence, but he didn't know what to say. He could even just thank her for coming with him, and that would be enough. But he couldn't bring himself to.
They had almost reached where Nova wanted to go when he noticed that Hazel had stopped. Following her gaze, he saw a mouse lying on their path, its limbs splayed out and its eyes shut. Nova took a closer look at the peculiar sight and came to the conclusion that it had died. But how?
As Nova examined the mouse, trying to see how on Earth it might've been killed, he noticed a foul smelling, green liquid trickling from its mouth. He let out a mrrow of confusion and disgust.
“What is it?” Hazel asked, having noticed the liquid too.
“I don't know,” Nova replied. He had no idea what the substance was, or how it could have killed the mouse. It was the strangest thing he'd ever seen. “But I know someone who might.”
. . .
“Where are you taking us again?” Nova's mother asked.
Nova and Hazel had darted back to camp to fetch Snow and Raven, the only two cats Nova thought might know about the mouse. They had traveled a great distance before Nova had been born, and they might've seen something like it on their journey. He was now leading them back to the strange discovery, padding quickly along the path.
“To that,” Nova replied, having reached the dead prey which was now at his paws.
“Oh my…” Snow murmured, her eyes wide.
“Do you know what it is?” Nova asked.
“I'm afraid not,” Snow replied, a grave look on her face.
Raven bent down to sniff the strange substance, then recoiled, giving a hiss, “It certainly isn't natural.”
“It could never have come from this forest,” Snow added, shaking her head.
If it's not from this forest, then where is it from? Nova wondered.
“Did you see anything like it on your journey? What happened?” Nova inquired. He had never heard his parents’ whole story about it. Every Colony cat just called it ‘their journey’ and didn't say much else.
“Well, we got lost in the first place because somebody—” Snow broke off to give her mate an affectionate glare, which was met by an amused eye roll, “decided to cross the train tracks into the Forbidden Area. There, the humans captured us and took us far away. But I don't think they did it without reason. They obviously have something planned, and it can't be good.”
“Hmm,” Nova mewed. “Peculiar.”
“Very,” Raven agreed.
Nova's parents didn't seem to have anything else to say. They looked just as puzzled as he was about the situation.
Suppressing a sigh, Nova mewed, “Thank you for helping us. I don't know how we're going to figure this out.”
“Any time, my love,” his mother replied, giving him a lick on his ears before padding away with his father.
When they were out of earshot, Nova let the sigh escape his maw. The information, however sincere it had been, hadn't really gotten them anywhere. Nobody knew what killed the mouse.
Nova's gaze slid over to Hazel. She was watching his parents pad away, her eyes barely hiding pain. He was about to ask her what the matter was when she turned away, any traces of emotion fading from her gaze.
Why had she looked so distressed? She had a mother—Holly—so why was she looking at his parents like she didn't have any of her own? Whatever the problem was, Hazel didn't look like she wanted any sympathy. It made Nova feel perfectly helpless. He wished he could comfort her and lean by her side and tell her that everything would be alright, just as she had done for him, but he knew he couldn't. She wouldn't appreciate it. Would she?
Tearing his gaze away from Hazel, Nova reluctantly set his mind back to the task at their paws.
“I don't know what it could be,” Nova stated, breaking the tense, horrible silence. “It's all so confusing.”
“Neither do I,” Hazel mewed. “I guess we'll just have to wait and see if anything else comes up.”
“Yeah,” Nova agreed. That was all they could do, however much he hated to admit it. Just wait.
But the longer they waited, the more the apprehensive dread in Nova's stomach grew. He had a deep, dark suspicion in his heart that somehow, in some way, the humans were involved. Chapter 5
Nova and Hazel had agreed that they should bury the dead mouse so that no cat would find it. It probably wasn't safe to eat, not until they figured out how it had died. Nova didn't want any of his Colony-mates getting sick from it.
After that, they had gone back to camp to carry on with the day. It was no use sitting around and waiting for something to happen. They could get some things done in the meantime.
Hazel went off to her sister, Copper, and Nova got back to overseeing Colony duties. Days passed. The mystery of the dead mouse remained just that: a mystery.
But whatever it was, the prey still hadn't come back to its usual lively state, and the animals that could even be found were all hiding in their burrows and nests. Patrols came back with less and less prey each day. Nova knew something had to be done, or they'd all starve.
One afternoon, nearly a week since he and Hazel had made their discovery, Nova ventured out to the neighborhood once more. Hazel wasn't with him this time, so his ginger pelt crawled with nerves and uneasiness, and he padded swiftly towards his destination in order to distract himself.
Nova and Hazel had never really reached where the humans lived the last time they had gone, so Nova couldn't say if the change he saw had been around for long. But when he broke away from the trees, his breath caught in his throat and he stiffened.
A group of humans, more than Nova was comfortable with, were gathered near the forest. Nova ducked behind a clump of ferns to try to see what they were up to. As he watched, he noticed a few of the humans’ terrifyingly large… machines, he thought they were called, scattered about as well.
What are they doing? Nova wondered, appalled. The humans usually never strayed from the dens in which they lived, so why had some of them suddenly gathered near the forest? They didn't belong there. They never would.
Maybe they really are planning something… Nova thought, his eyes filled with concern.
He crept closer to the humans to get a closer look. They didn't seem to be doing anything at the moment; they were just standing around and having what appeared to be a conversation. Nova couldn't understand anything they were saying, though. He knew his grandmother might be able to make out a few words, but he couldn't risk bringing her out with him. It wasn't safe.
Nova continued to watch the humans, his confusion only growing. What did they want with the forest? Why wouldn't they leave?
His gaze wandered around the scene, trying to spot anything else that might explain the humans’ motives and what they were doing. Then, suddenly, something bright and green caught his eye. It wasn't like the green of the forest; it stood out as if it wasn't meant to be there.
Nova padded closer to the object so that he could find out what it was. It was nestled in a clump of grass mere tail-lengths from where all plants of the forest ended. And as he got closer, a foul smell greeted his senses, and he nearly gagged. It was unmistakably the same smell that had come from the dead mouse. But this wasn't a liquid, it was…
Nova’s eyes widened in understanding. The liquid which had been oozing out of the mouse’s maw was nothing other than the chewed-up state of the substance which was lying before him, in the form of a pile of pellets that resembled rabbit droppings. The mouse had died because it had consumed it.
It was poison. Poison, designed to kill all creatures that thought it was good to eat. To rid the forest of anything that might get in the way of those who sought to conquer it.
The humans had poisoned the mouse. And they had more with them. Nova could see it in some of their paws, stacked in their strange trucks and machines, anywhere they could put it, but subtle enough that a cat wouldn't notice if they didn't look closely. It was enough for the humans to poison all of the prey in the forest if they wanted.
Nova's mind was spinning with a thousand questions and thoughts. Why were the humans doing this? What could there possibly be to gain from ridding the forest of its inhabitants? It made none of the sense in the world.
Can't they all just stay in their dens and leave us alone? Nova wondered, his heart beating wildly as he thought of all the horrible things that would happen if the prey was killed by humans.
Nova couldn't let that happen. His Colony would starve. He had to stop that… madness from coming to be. But how? he asked himself, his heart heavy with hopelessness.
The least he could do was warn the Colony. He didn't have to be the only one to know. Maybe the others who were older and wiser than he was would know what to do.
And with that, Nova turned tail and ran back in the direction of his home, the only place where he might’ve been safe from the humans. His paws pounding the ground, he didn't stop until he reached the camp. He didn't know why he did, but when he burst through the camp entrance, he went straight to Hazel with his news. Maybe it was because she was the one who had discovered the poisoned mouse with him, or because he trusted her the most. He would never fully understand why he did what he did.
“Hazel…” Nova started, still trying to catch his breath. “The mouse… poisoned… by humans!”
Hazel’s eyes widened in alarm. “What?”
“The humans are poisoning the prey!” he finished, trembling with the effort of the run and with fear.
He heard a chorus of disbelieving and fearful gasps from the cats who had heard him.
“They wouldn't!” Heron snarled.
“How can this be?” Leaf cried.
“Will we all starve?” Cloud whimpered.
Murmurs spread. Soon, all the cats in the Colony would know what Nova had said. They would be desperate for answers, just as he was. And cats who were desperate did irrational things.
His head beginning to spin from all the noise of the cats around him, Nova spotted Autumn making her way through the crowd, towards him. He felt a wave of relief flow through him at the sight of his grandmother. She would know what to do.
“What did you see?” she asked when she reached him, her expression calm but apprehensive.
“There were many humans, all gathered near the forest,” Nova relayed. “And they had some machines with them too. Tall, dark, with long necks and giant teeth the size of a fully-grown cat.” Nova wasn't sure that 'necks’ and ‘teeth’ were things that machines actually had, but he didn't know how else to describe what he saw.
“Tree-killers,” Autumn breathed, suddenly looking much more frightened than before. “I've never seen one for myself, but I've heard of them from other housecats, long ago. Humans… humans use them for uprooting countless trees and taking them far away. They can rip entire forests out of the ground.”
Nova's heart pounded harder and harder with every word. It both made sense, and didn't make sense at all. Poisoning the prey, tearing trees from the ground: it was all too obvious.
“The humans are destroying the forest,” he thought aloud, his voice barely a whisper. Horror froze all the blood in his veins. His heart, beating so quickly before, now seemed to have stopped working. His throat tied itself in a knot, stopping him from breathing.
They were all going to die.
At least, that's what his Colony-mates seemed to think.
“What are we going to do?” Dew nearly shrieked.
“The humans will kill us all!” Spark added.
“We could leave.”
The outrageous suggestion, nearly lost in the yowls of the cats around them, stopped all other cries in the throats of their speakers. Everyone stared. Nova's fur rose in shock and disbelief.
“What?” Nova asked, turning to stare as well.
“We could leave,” Alder repeated. “It's the only way we could possibly survive. There isn't going to be much forest left before long, anyway.”
Nova couldn't believe what he'd just heard. The forest was their home. How could they ever even think about leaving?
“He’s-he’s right!” Night agreed with his former mentor. “We can't stay here. If we do, we'll die!”
“Yeah! Let's leave!” another cat shouted, starting a jumble of incomprehensible murmurs and mrrows of agreement. Nova was beginning to get a headache from all the noise.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Hazel meowed quickly, attempting to stop the chatter. “Nova, what do you think? You're the leader. It's your decision to make.”
Nova's head wouldn't stop spinning. He knew Hazel was just trying to help, but with the humongous, important decision suddenly dropped on his shoulders, he couldn't think straight. All he knew was that this was his home, and his father's home, and the home of his father before him, and he couldn't just decide without a thought. It was Flame’s home! Wouldn't leaving the forest behind be leaving his grandfather behind as well?
“I… I don't know,” Nova murmured, unconsciously backing away from the noise. It was just too much. Any more and his brain might explode. “I have to go think.”
Without another word, Nova turned and darted out of the overwhelming camp, leaving Hazel and his distressed Colony behind with it.
Chapter 6
Nova was sitting alone in the forest, and his mind was spinning. He had no idea what to do. He knew that the forest wasn't safe anymore, but how could they possibly leave it behind? The forest was home. All the cats in the Colony had been born there, raised there, died there for countless seasons. To leave would be… unthinkable.
And yet, if they stayed, they would starve to death, or be poisoned, or be crushed by the humans’ machines before the season was over. They stood no chance.
The decision was tearing Nova apart. Either way, he felt like he was betraying his Colony. Leave or stay, live or die? Surely they should go, and save the lives of themselves and their young ones, but then where would they go? What place could they possibly live in that could replace the lands their ancestors had gifted them with?
Oh, Flame, I wish you were here! Nova thought, staring anxiously up at the brilliant blue sky. I can't make this decision without you.
But before Nova could agonize over his thoughts for much longer, he heard someone coming from behind him. He was downwind, so he immediately recognized the sweet scent that drifted towards him. It was Hazel.
Instantly, his heart filled with shame. He had given into his fear and left his Colony alone in the camp, with no one to relieve them from their dread. He had acted selfishly, and he wouldn't be surprised if Hazel had come to scold him.
“Hazel,” he began, “I'm sorry—”
Hazel interrupted him before he could continue. “It's okay. Sparrow and Coal calmed everyone down. There's nothing to be sorry for.”
Nova felt a wave of gratitude for the Head Runner and his brother. They had done what he should've, what he didn't. They were more fit to be leader than him. Unfortunately, though, they were both fairly old, and the whole Colony knew it was only a matter of time before they joined their ancestors. Nova had managed to convince Coal to retire to the elders’ den, so that he could have a peaceful rest of his life, but Sparrow had turned him down. The brownish gray tom said that if he still had strength in his bones, he would still serve his Colony. Nova hadn't mentioned it to him again after that.
Pulling his mind back to the present, Nova turned to meet Hazel’s gaze. She looked worried. And sad. Guilt pierced Nova's heart. “Do you… do you want to go hunting with me? To get our mind off of things,” he offered. He wanted to make up for what he had done in the camp, and to help Hazel feel better. And because… well, he just wanted to spend time with her.
“Sure,” Hazel replied. “Although, I don’t know how much prey will be left.”
Nova nodded in understanding. He knew any chance of finding prey would be unlikely, but they still had to try. For the sake of the Colony.
Rising from his spot on the ground, Nova began to pad off in the search of prey. He fell into step beside Hazel, and opened his mouth to let the scents of the forest bathe his tongue. He wasn’t surprised when he didn’t smell any fresh scents on the breeze, but what did surprise him was that, apart from the scents of the undergrowth and trees around him, he didn’t smell… anything.
His fur rising in panic, Nova sniffed the ground around him, just to make sure he hadn’t smelled wrong, but when he couldn’t find any trails, his fear only grew. He paced around the area, checking under leaves, in empty burrows, anywhere there might be prey, but it was no use. All of the prey was gone.
Hazel seemed to have noticed the terrible fact as well, and her eyes were round with fear. “It’s… all gone,” she murmured, her fur beginning to stand on end. “What can we do? Do we really have to leave the forest?” she asked Nova.
This was the question that was bothering Nova. The question that only he and he alone could answer, as the leader of the Colony. The question that would decide his and his Colony-mates’ fates forever. “I… I don’t know,” Nova confessed, meeting Hazel’s fearful gaze with an expression of dread. “But… whatever I choose, I hope I never hurt you.”
Hazel’s gaze softened. She leaned in close to Nova, touching his cheek with her nose. “I hope I never hurt you either,” she whispered. When she drew back, Nova could see that she was smiling. But there was something in that wonderful, radiant smile that said a little bit more than just ‘me too’. It made Nova’s heart hammer in his chest, much more than it already did when he saw her. It made his stomach tie itself in a knot and it made every inch of him tremble. It made him wonder, quietly, if maybe Hazel really did feel the same way he felt about her.
The moment seemed to stretch on forever, and yet, it ended too quickly. A moment where Nova could be alone with Hazel, and just look into her eyes, her wonderful eyes; something that was usually so hard for him to do. A moment that made Nova forget about everything else that was happening, and the only thing he knew was that Hazel was with him, and that was how everything should be. He never wanted it to end, he never wanted to leave her. But time will always continue, the world must go on, and thus, the perfect moment was soon interrupted by a mew from behind.
“Uh, Nova?”
Nova tore his gaze off of Hazel, slowly, and looked behind him to see that the young apprentice, Gravel, had called him. The Runner clearly knew that he had interrupted something important, and he shuffled his paws, probably feeling awkward. “Sparrow sent me to come get you. He says that you’re needed for a meeting with the council.”
Nova dipped his head to Gravel. “Very well.” He reluctantly began to follow Sparrow’s son back to camp, even though every muscle in his body was telling him not to. He was aware of Hazel’s gaze on his pelt as he trudged away from her, back to camp where the council would surely throw their accusative glares at him upon his arrival. ‘Well, look who it is,’ Alder would sneer. ‘Flame’s Boy. We thought you might never come back.’ Sparrow would be ashamed, and Cocoa would be distressed. None of them would be as kind as Hazel was after what happened, with him abandoning the camp in a panic earlier that day.
But, none of the ridicule in the world could make him feel worse than what turning his back on and walking away from Hazel did.
Chapter 7
When Nova got to camp, the three members of the council were waiting for him in the clearing. Alder looked annoyed, and Cocoa looked anxious, but no emotions were displayed on Sparrow’s weathered face.
As soon as Nova reached them, they got straight to the point. To his dismay, he seemed to be outnumbered when it came to wanting to stay in the forest, although Sparrow was fortunately very agreeable, and was willing to look into the pros and cons of each side.
Alder often interjected, saying things along the lines of, “We have to go! It's not safe here anymore!” with Cocoa just nervously agreeing with everything Alder said.
Eventually, after hours of painstaking discussion, the council managed to come to an agreement. They would stay for a little while longer—observing the humans and trying to figure out why they were destroying the forest—before they made any further decisions. Alder grumbled and complained, but agreed to send all of the hunting patrols into the neighborhood to scavenge instead of hunt. Sparrow seemed satisfied with the compromise they had achieved, and retreated to his den.
The sun was now dropping under the trees and Nova was beginning to feel the effects of fatigue himself. He hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in days, with all of the stress and dread he’d been experiencing as of late. So, he too padded off into his den, curled into his nest and slowly drifted into sleep, despite the aching of his empty stomach.
The next day, Alder didn't hesitate to send off the first scavenging patrols, making sure to add in a few Fighters and Runners to the groups of Hunters for extra protection. Every cat in the Colony was hungry and eager to get something to eat, and waited anxiously for the patrols to return. Nova almost joined one himself, feeling guilty that he hadn't been contributing to the fresh-kill pile very much lately, but Sparrow convinced him not to. He reasoned that, with so many of the cats in camp gone, he should stay behind in case the humans attacked. Nova obliged, but that didn't keep him from feeling the twinges of guilt and uneasiness in his heart.
Deep down, Nova also wondered if Sparrow had kept him from going on the patrol for another reason, but he couldn't imagine why. Did Sparrow think he would get in the way? Cause everyone to panic? Start to panic himself and abandon the others as he fled for his life? Nova pushed the thought away. Sparrow didn't think of him as merely a kit, surely. One who needed to be kept in camp and away from trouble. Did he?
This thought brought Nova back to wondering—yet again—if every cat in the Colony secretly hated him.
The question was so unsettling that Nova couldn't tear his mind off of it. They had every reason to hate him. He was cowardly—afraid to leave the one place that may end up taking their lives—and he wasn't nearly as good a leader as Flame. It was definitely possible.
And, if they hated him, what was to keep them from deciding they didn't need him anymore and proceeding to abandon him in the forest as he slept? What if that's what they were doing right now; as they took large patrols away from camp and made him stay? What if they were planning to betray him right as he thought about it?
The idea terrified him. It rooted in his bones and shook him to his core. It made him dread what his Colony-mates might be planning, alone in the neighborhood, where no one would overhear.
It caused him, for the first time in his life, to truly doubt his kin.
Immediately, his doubt was replaced with shame. What was he thinking? He couldn't doubt his Colony-mates! That was the worst thing a leader could do! Flame never doubted the others, and if Nova wanted to be even remotely like him, he was doing a terrible job at it. Flame was probably looking down at him now, ashamed by his grandson’s foolish way of thinking. The Colony would surely suffer with a cat like Nova at its lead.
Nova was still sitting at the entrance of his den, agonizing over what he had done, when the hunting patrols began to trickle back into camp. Every cat looked up with excitement. The Healers looked over the patrols for any possible wounds. Thankfully, no cat was harmed, but the more alarming sight was the amount of food in their jaws. They had salvaged almost nothing.
A few gasps of dismay spread through the clearing as Nova leapt up and bounded over to the returned patrols. Human food was only the Colony’s secondary source of food—they got most of their meals from the prey of the forest—but what the patrols had gathered was much less than even what they usually found in the neighborhood. “What happened?” Nova asked, alarmed.
“The humans are leaving hardly any food uneaten anymore,” Hazel replied, dropping a bone she had found that was almost completely stripped of its meat. “It's like they're finally learning not to waste.”
Nova was utterly dumbfounded. “But they're not the ones destroying the forest,” he mused. “How do they have anything to do with this?” Nova had thought that the neighborhood would be the one place that wouldn't be affected by the forest’s destruction, but incredulously, it seemed he was wrong.
Hazel looked hopeless as she replied, “We don’t know.”
“And this certainly isn’t going to keep us fed for very long,” Alder added with a growl.
Sparrow glanced at Nova with a look in his eyes that clearly stated that he had ultimately come to agree with Alder. “Sorry, Nova. Scavenging didn’t help us, as I thought it might.”
Nova began to breathe rapidly, his thoughts spinning. He had dreaded this happening. Now every cat in the camp would say that they had to leave, and he would be ignored. Forget dishonor; he wasn’t doubting his Colony-mates, he knew that they would find a way to leave, one way or the other. Whether they dragged him along or not. They must think he was a senseless fool to want to stay, all because he didn’t want to leave ancestors he wasn’t even sure existed anymore. And he was too afraid to do what had to be done to save them.
Nova was so lost in his terrors that he almost didn’t hear the panicked yowls of the cats around him. But when they started piercing his mind and filling his ears, he realized with a jolt of fear that he was right. They would not stay. Unlike him, they were bent on preventing their deaths. And they were screeching louder and louder and Nova wondered if it would ever end because they would never listen to him, he was just the cause of their demise, not their rescuer. In fact, he was almost ready to make a run for the forest again when gradually, the noises stopped.
Nova didn’t know he had closed his eyes until he opened them and glanced around to see what had happened. It seemed that the councilors had managed to calm down the others, although he couldn’t imagine how. They were screeching so loudly. Evidently, the three toms were much more experienced than he was, and everyone listened to what they had to say. But not to him.
Nova caught the last bit of what Alder was saying as he comforted his sister with a soft voice he’d never heard before. “It’s alright, Taupe. We’re going to figure this out.”
“But how?” The she-cat sniffled. “I already lost one of my kits to the perils of this forest. Will I lose my other as well?”
Alder laid his tail across her shoulder. “No, you won’t. We’ll be out of here in no time. Soon, you and your daughter’s bellies will be full once again.”
The statement, a seemingly harmless assurance of comfort, might’ve slipped past Nova’s ears if it wasn’t for what Alder said next.
“And if anyone disagrees with that… they will soon be regretting their mistakes.”
Alder was looking straight at Nova. His glare, filled with contempt and malice, couldn’t have said more.
Is he threatening me? Nova thought, indignation burning inside him. How dare he! He may not be a good leader, but no Colony cat was allowed to disrespect their authority. None! And this is exactly what Nova had suspected Alder would do!
The outrage and confusion and presumption of being betrayed continued to boil up inside of Nova until he knew that he had to get away from Alder’s stare before he burst. And so, he leapt up onto his paws and stormed out of camp, past Alder and Taupe, ignoring the confused and concerned murmurs he got along the way. He knew Alder was probably trying to anger him on purpose, but he didn’t care. Although, none of it really surprised him. He’d seen it all coming miles away.
But that didn’t mean it didn’t still hurt when what he dreaded actually turned out to be a terrible reality.
Chapter 8
Nova realized only after he had stormed from the camp that he had left his Colony-mates behind for the third time in less than a month. What a coward and a weakling he was. A cat who could be so easily swayed by others and become overly emotional when it really wasn’t helpful. A cat who put his own opinions over the safety of his kin. A cat who just couldn’t make up his mind. Had Flame known how selfish he would become, he might’ve chosen the next leader differently.
Another thing about Nova’s disappearances, was whenever he ran off, Hazel always seemed to know to show up and give him a few kind words. And there she was again, padding up to him, looking like she had something on her mind.
Nova felt an inexplicable and horrifyingly rude flash of irritation when he saw her. Couldn’t he have just a few moments alone?
“Nova—” she started, looking concerned.
“No, don’t say it,” Nova interrupted. “You don’t know how it feels.”
He immediately felt a sharp stab of regret. What an awful, horrendous thing to say! It didn’t matter if she didn’t really feel the way he did, he had no right to go and throw it in her face like that. No right!
Hazel’s eyes filled with pain at Nova’s retort. He expected her to leave him to feel terrible about his actions, but instead, she replied with such intensity that her voice shook. “I know exactly how it feels! I lost my father to the same sickness that took Flame. When my mother gave into her grief, I was the only one left to take care of the family. I had to hunt to feed her and my sister every day, even though it was hard.” Then she stopped, looking like she had said more than she intended to.
Nova was completely stunned. He had no idea that Hazel felt that way. If he thought hard about it, yes, he remembered Lark’s death—which Taupe had also mentioned earlier that day—and he remembered that Lark was Holly’s mate, but… All the facts just never really registered in his mind, never really lined up, until Hazel spoke about them. Holly had disappeared for most of the four moons since the sickness ended. Alder had recommended giving her an apprentice in hopes that she would have something to distract her, and Nova just gave in without a thought. He never knew that after all that time, Hazel was secretly suffering just as much as he was.
He felt his stomach drop with the realization that, with the shock and pain of Flame’s death, Nova had been so absorbed in his own anguish that he had been oblivious to, even pushed aside the feelings of others around him.
Nova was so lost in thought that he almost didn’t hear Hazel’s hushed conclusion, “You're not the only one who lost cats and was forced to lead when you didn't think you could.”
This enabled him to finally tear his gaze off his paws and look up into Hazel’s eyes. They were filled with sorrow, with all the painful memories of the past, but at the same time, she looked relieved to have finally been able to share her thoughts. Nova couldn’t believe she’d kept them hidden for so long.
“I’m sorry, I… didn’t know,” Nova admitted, his throat tight with sympathy.
Hazel gave a rueful smile. “I’m just not quite as obvious about my feelings as you are, Nova,” she mewed.
Nova couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “I suppose you’re right.”
“We should get back to camp,” Hazel suggested, changing the subject. “We’re going to have to do something about the scavenging.”
“Yeah,” Nova agreed. And whatever they decided… one way or the other, he had a feeling that somebody wasn’t going to like it.
. . .
Together, Nova and Hazel managed to convince the councilors to let the Colony stay in the forest for a little while longer. They said they would wait it out in case their circumstances changed, and they somehow were able to get more food, but Nova could tell they didn’t think it was likely. Still, they sent all the patrols to the neighborhood to scavenge, and though the humans were leaving much less food uneaten, they were able to scrape by for a few days.
Nova knew they couldn’t keep going like this. Soon, the shortage of food would catch up to them, and they would have no choice but to leave. But he still couldn’t bring himself to lead the Colony away from their home. Where would they go?
His mind feeling scrambled, Nova decided to go out on a patrol to help clear his thoughts. Two young apprentices, Pebble and Stone, came with him, and so did Heron, Sand, and Night. It seemed like a rather full group, and Nova hoped they would bring back more food than usual. But when they reached the neighborhood, he knew at once that something was not right.
“Heron, did the humans’ garbage bins look like that before?” Nova asked.
“No, they didn’t,” the black and gray tom replied, looking at the new bins with a grave expression on his face.
Nova stared. The plastic bins in which humans left what they didn’t use were always low and easy for cats to open and search through. They were now tall and sleek, with tightly shut lids that Nova didn’t think he would be able to pry off, let alone reach.
“Do… do any of you think you’d be able to get that open?” Nova asked dubiously.
Sand and Night each took a turn trying to leap up and get a hold on one of the bins, but their paws slipped and they both fell back onto the ground. Heron tried as well, but Nova could tell that, even if they weren’t all weakened by hunger, no cat would be able to get them open. The apprentices seemed affected the most; they were crouched motionless on the ground, waiting, too tired to even contribute to the older cats’ fruitless attempts.
Sand was still panting from his efforts as he meowed, “What can we do?”
Nova felt sick to his stomach. He hesitated, then replied, “We’ll have to go back. We should tell the others about these new bins.” It was no use to keep trying.
They had no choice but to do just that. Go back with nothing. And when they walked into camp, their jaws completely empty, they got many worried glances and confused murmurs from the few that weren’t on patrols.
Nova didn’t want to, but he went straight to Alder with the news. He was the Head Hunter after all. He must’ve been so caught up organizing patrols that he forgot to put himself in one.
Alder looked distressed, but not surprised, when he heard the news. “So, is your idea of scavenging completely useless now?”
“I suppose,” Nova mumbled, defeated.
“Hmn. I don’t think it will take the other patrols very long to realize the same thing. And when they get back, we’ll have to discuss what our next action will be.”
Nova could tell by his tone that the supposed action meant leaving, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he padded off and waited near the entrance of the camp for the rest of the patrols to return, his heart hollow with dread.
However, instead of thinking of a way to tell the Colony why he didn’t think they should leave, Nova ended up overhearing a hushed conversation going on between two nearby she-cats who sounded like they were deliberately keeping things to themselves.
“Where were you last night? I was looking all over for you,” Cloud whispered.
“I… was in the neighborhood,” Spark replied evasively.
“Doing what?”
Spark’s face became twisted with guilt and regret. “…You know that human who always leaves pet food on her doorstep?”
Cloud’s reaction reflected how Nova was feeling himself at the outrageous confession. “Spark! How could you?”
“I was just so hungry! I couldn’t help myself…”
Nova stopped listening after that. Clearly, if there were cats desperate and hungry enough to accept food from a human, especially when they knew that humans had either poisoned or scared away all the prey in the forest, then he knew that there was no way they could stay. But until they knew where they could go, Nova didn’t want to leave their safe camp behind.
It didn’t take long for all the patrols to return after that, looking beaten and hopeless and starved. Nova couldn’t bear to see his Colony-mates like this. He had to do something. He couldn’t let them suffer any longer.
Just as he stood up, prepared to say what he had on his mind, Alder stalked across the clearing and gathered the attention of every cat in the Colony. “Excuse me,” he bellowed. “There’s something I don’t get here. Why are you all letting yourselves starve, live in fear, be in danger everywhere you go, all because of this cat?”
When Alder pointed to Nova with his tail, the ginger tom felt a shiver of terror run down his spine. This is it, he thought. This is when Alder convinces them to betray me.
“He’s a coward! And frankly, I think he’s leading us all to our death, right now! As the tree-killers continue to tear down bits of our territory at a time, he sits and does nothing. As we slowly starve to death, he’s too afraid to find us a new home. What kind of a leader is that?”
Everything Alder was saying was true. Nova knew it, his Colony-mates knew it. Some of them were even meowing in agreement, looking on with anger. They didn’t want him as their leader.
“That’s not true!” Nova felt a flash of gratitude when Hazel yowled in protest. “He’s not afraid! Where do you suggest we live? You’ve never been anywhere but here your whole life.”
But then Alder started to argue, and cats began to pick sides, calling out for who they agreed with. Some said he shouldn’t even be leader, some reasoned he was just young and confused. Nova couldn’t believe he was causing such controversy. Would he tear his Colony apart just by existing?
But what Alder said next went a little too far. “Flame only made that kit a leader because he was his favorite, not because he had any quality to him at all. He doesn’t deserve that spot!”
Nova wanted it all to end. He didn’t want anyone criticizing him anymore, he just wanted to leave the forest and get it all over with, so they would just leave him alone. Then they would be happy. Wouldn’t they?
But then a different noise came, a noise that stopped all the other noises of yowling cats in their tracks. It started small, then grew louder and louder until it filled up all their ears and they couldn’t even hear themselves think. It made the ground rumble and shake and feel like it was swaying under their feet.
The tree-killers were coming. Chapter 9
In an instant, the world was transformed into one of dust and destruction. The camp erupted into pandemonium and terror, every cat darting this way and that, with nothing in their minds other than the desperate attempt to save themselves. The tree-killers had arrived, and they were tearing down the trees surrounding the clearing like blades of grass. The ear-splitting noise of the machines and the thick clouds of dust and smoke they created disoriented Nova to the point where he didn’t know which way was out. This was it. This was when the humans would destroy every last bit of the Colony. And it was Nova’s fault for not getting them out in time.
The sight of the Great Oak crashing to the ground paralyzed Nova in fear and disbelief. The Great Oak had been standing tall and strong for longer than the Colony itself had been alive. Nova had never imagined it could ever fall. But when he realized that it was descending in his direction, it was too late. He was able to dart out of the way of the trunk, but one of the higher, thinner branches became tangled in his pelt and trapped him on the ground. He began squirming wildly in order to free himself, his heart pounding fiercely with terror. So much dust. So much noise. So much destruction. Everything was over.
Nova managed to free himself from the branch, but he had no time or ability to be relieved. He had to sacrifice a large chunk of his fur to escape, and he was now blundering away with stinging pain further clouding his senses. He could still see no way out of the clearing. He had no way of knowing whether or not his Colony-mates had escaped or were trapped underneath the rubble; he could no longer see any of them. But he knew they had a much better sense of direction than he did and probably escaped a while ago.
Maybe it was best that they wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.
Nova still wanted to help them, to make sure none of them were hurt, but then the tree-killers broke through the remaining forest, and his paws failed him again. He couldn't move, couldn't yowl, could only stare at the horrifying sight of the gigantic machines slowly creeping up on him, and he knew for sure that this would be the time of his demise.
Everything in his life had lead up to this. He had always been a coward, but now his fear would be the very thing to get him and every cat he cared about killed. He couldn't even run from his killers. He could only watch, as if he wasn't in control, as his fate consumed him.
Nova truly was a failure. Anyone could see. It was as clear as the monstrosities in front of him.
But then something happened that Nova definitely didn't deserve. Something that would change everything.
A flash of gray and white bolted towards Nova, crashing into him with such force that he was sent tumbling in the other direction. Away from the tree-killers. Towards safety. But then Nova’s head stopped spinning, and he was able to look back to see who or what it was that stopped him from being crushed, and surely taking his place in the process.
It was Hazel.
The agony that tore through Nova’s heart felt as if he had been crushed by the tree-killers after all.
The strangled cry of some unknown creature escaped Nova’s jaws and he hurtled to Hazel's side. He didn't notice that the tree-killers had stopped. All he saw was the limp body of the cat who meant everything to him on the ground.
“Hazel!” he choked out when he reached her. “Please, no!” A tree-killer must've hit her, because she was crumpled in an awkward and unnatural position. But her chest fluttered with her feeble attempts at breath, telling Nova that she was still alive. But certainly not for long.
The sight of Hazel looking so broken, so helpless in front of Nova made him break down into anguished sobs because he knew that it was his fault. All his fault.
“I'm so sorry,” he cried, burying his muzzle in her dusty fur. “All of this happened because of me. If I had just gotten over my fear and let the Colony leave, no cat would've gotten hurt. I— I—” Nova's throat was beginning to close with grief and shame, but he had to finish, in case there was a possibility she could still hear him. “Alder’s right. I'm a terrible leader. None of you deserve me. And I can't pretend I'm the cat Flame wanted me to be anymore. Not without you, Hazel. I need you.” Nova's voice dropped to a whisper, hardly able to force the words out anymore. He looked to his paws, and pushed away his fears, saying the thing he'd wanted to say for forever, even though now it was surely too late.
“. . . I love you.”
“I love you too, Nova.”
The hoarse reply nearly made Nova jump out of his pelt. “Hazel! You're okay?!”
“Course I am, you daft furball.” Hazel tried to push herself to her paws, but just collapsed again. Nova knew she wasn't okay, but at least she wasn't dead. The pain he had felt before quickly became elation that threatened to bubble up out of him. And when he started purring, he couldn't make himself stop. “I thought the tree-killer crushed you!”
“No, not completely,” Hazel rasped. “Apparently the humans driving it had the kindness not to run over me. That doesn't explain why they're forcing us out of the forest, though.”
Her words made Nova’s pelt prickle with concern. “I don't know either. And I don't know if we ever will. But… we should really get out of here before they finish the job.”
Surprise flickered across Hazel's face. “I thought you didn't want to leave the forest. But I guess we don't have much to stay for anyway.”
“Yeah,” Nova agreed. It had been a hard choice for him to make. But after seeing how his Colony-mates were suffering for staying behind, with the starving and the danger and the constantly living in fear, he knew they couldn't stay. And Hazel was right, they had nothing left to stay for.
“I guess I've realized… that no matter where we are, as long as we're together, we'll always be the Colony.”
Then Hazel smiled up at Nova, a wonderful, radiant smile full of admiration, and Nova knew he'd said the right thing. “You’re not a terrible leader, Nova. All you needed was to realize that you’re never alone. You can talk to me, or Snow, Raven, Autumn, anyone. We can help you. That’s what being part of a Colony is all about.”
Hazel’s words were like a light shining through the darkness that had surrounded Nova ever since Flame had died. He now could see that, all along, he’d been trying to do everything on his own. He’d been trying to be as good as Flame and blaming himself when he wasn’t. He hadn’t let anyone try to help him when he should’ve. But the truth was, Flame was just like any other cat. But he had a mate and a sister and Colony-mates who loved and respected him and would never give up on him. It wasn’t anything spectacular or righteous that he had more of than others. He was just not alone.
If Nova wanted to be like Flame, he would have to go and help those Colony-mates escape from the danger that wasn’t his doing, he just was too afraid to leave the only place he’d lived all his life. But he wasn’t afraid anymore. Because he wasn’t alone.
“You’re right,” he told Hazel, returning her smile with all of his heart. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 10
Miraculously, Nova and Hazel were able to escape the camp unharmed. Well, no more than they'd been harmed already. Together, they found the entrance to the clearing through the dust and fallen trees and made their way to the edge of the forest as fast as they could manage. Hazel had trouble walking on her own, still weak from when the tree-killer had hit her, but Nova gave her a shoulder to lean on and they were soon out of danger’s way.
They found the rest of the Colony waiting for them near the neighborhood, unwilling to leave a single cat behind, whether they were leader or not. Nova was relieved to see that none of them had been too badly injured either, just anxious to know what to do next, now that their home was destroyed. And honestly, he didn't know what to do. But he knew that together, they could work something out.
“After what has happened…” Nova began, feeling awkward with every eye in the Colony trained on him, “I know I can't ignore the danger we've been in any longer. This forest isn't our home anymore. We'll have to find another one.”
Nova saw a few surprised expressions on the cats around him, but most looked relieved. “I thought you didn't want to leave.” Alder looked subdued and slightly skeptical.
“I've finally realized what the right choice is to make,” Nova replied simply, gazing steadily at the Head Hunter.
Surprisingly, Alder’s eyes flashed with guilt and he looked to his paws. “I'm… sorry about those things I said earlier. I do some pretty stupid things when I'm stressed.”
Nova dipped his head, because he understood what Alder meant completely. He had quite the tendency to freak out when things didn't go well. The last few weeks had made that clear. “All is forgiven,” he meowed. “Although… I don't know where we can go. None of us have ever left Colony territory, except…”
Snow and Raven.
Nova's parents exchanged a glance, and he could tell they had somewhere in mind. “We know a place,” Snow confessed, although something in her mew seemed reluctant. Nova didn't know why. Any place would be a better place than their old home.
“Could you show us the way?” Nova asked.
“Yes,” Raven replied. “But it's a long and dangerous journey. Not all of us might be able to make it.”
Nova knew they must be right. When they had made the journey, they were young and strong, but most of the Colony cats no longer were. He felt his stomach clench with nervousness.
“Some of us will have to stay,” Robin meowed. “I'm not as young as I used to be, and I'd hate to put anyone else in danger because of it.”
Nova’s heart fell at the old healer’s declaration. She'd been around for as long as he knew, and she was kin. Willow, her former apprentice, voiced his dismay with a gasp, but Robin silenced it with her tail. “It's what must be done.”
“I'll stay too,” Coal added. “I don't have much life left in me anyway.” But Nova knew that wasn't the only reason he was staying. Every cat knew he once had a mate who left the Colony and became a pet, and that he surely didn't want to leave her. But no one said anything about it. Except for Sparrow.
“If you're staying, then I am too. I can't leave my brother behind.” Coal gave Sparrow a grateful glance, but Badger looked unhappy behind him. She wouldn't want to leave her mate behind either. And, sure, they might've only agreed to become mates so they could give the Colony a few desperately needed kits, but they were still close friends.
“I'm sorry, Badger. But I can't leave him,” Sparrow repeated when he saw his mate’s expression.
“It's alright,” Badger gave in. “I still have a few moons left for me to live. And I’ll spend them seeing that the Colony finds a new home.”
When they finished figuring out who would go where, and every cat had said their heartfelt goodbyes, Snow and Raven took the lead and showed the others the way out of the neighborhood. And a long journey it was. The Colony walked for what seemed like ages, passing countless roads and buildings, which slowly became replaced with endless forest. Still, Snow and Raven had a particular spot in mind, and they only stopped for brief rests before going back on their way. They even went through a tunnel in the Mountain, which no cat except them knew existed.
The knowledge Snow and Raven had gained from their journey was proving to be invaluable to the Colony. They were using a terrible experience of them being taken from their home for good. If they hadn't been captured that day many months ago, Nova knew that the Colony probably wouldn't have any idea where to go.
When the Colony left the other side of the Mountain, Nova knew they must be close. They had reached a large, lively forest, full of the lushest trees Nova had ever seen. It was almost overflowing with prey, telling Nova that there were probably hardly any other cats there to claim it. Which meant more for the Colony.
When they encountered a small gorge with a river flowing through it, Snow and Raven looked even more excited. They crossed a large log that formed a bridge across the gorge with ease and announced that they had almost reached their new home.
But then Nova saw movement in the undergrowth on the other side of the river, and out stepped a silvery-white she-cat who he'd never seen before. He gulped. They were surely trespassing on her land.
But to Nova's surprise, Raven and Snow seemed to know her, in the way their eyes widened with shock, fear, hostility even, and the same hesitance he'd seen back at the neighborhood.
So that was it, then. They hadn't wanted to come because they knew this she-cat lived here.
“Hello, Aurora,” Raven greeted her, his voice tense.
“Well, what do you know?” Aurora sniffed. “After all this time, you’ve come back. And you’ve brought your useless lot along with you.”
Nova didn’t like how the she-cat was insulting the Colony, but he didn’t say anything. What happened next would be crucial to their survival.
“Our forest was destroyed,” Snow meowed. “By humans. We need a place to stay.”
Aurora did not look like she liked where the conversation was going.
“Please, Aurora,” Raven pleaded. Nova had never heard his father sound so desperate. “We promise we’ll never get in your way. Please just let us stay in this forest.”
Aurora spent a long time looking undecided and not pleased. But after many moments of thought, she finally said, “Fine. But I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Snow and Raven both let out large sighs of relief. They thanked her for her—rather begrudging—kindness, then made sure to get as far away from her as quickly as possible. Then, after plenty more walking and following the river, Nova saw that the trees were beginning to thin out in front of him. The forest was ending. But what was on the other side?
A lake. A perfect lake. Large and peaceful and blue, it rippled gently in the breeze and immediately made Nova never want to leave. He now knew why his parents had wanted to travel so far to get to this place. It was a perfect new home for the Colony.
So, they searched through the forest on the side of the lake opposite from where Aurora lived, and it didn’t take them long to find a clearing large enough to hold them all. It would take some work, building the dens and strengthening the walls, but it would be a great new home.
Nova had thought that they would never find a home as good as the one they had before. But he was wrong. When he listened to his Colony-mates about leaving, everything turned out alright. They would survive. No, they would thrive. He knew this for certain. No humans, no matter how strong, could stop the Colony from living out their lives. Together, they were strong, Together, they were and always would be a Colony.
Hazel padded up to Nova’s side, a wide smile on her face as she gazed at the new clearing. She leaned into Nova’s shoulder, a purr rising in her throat. Nova had finally made her happy. Truly happy. Something he’d wanted to do all his life.
Nova purred along with her, met her beautiful sky colored eyes with his own, and said,
“Hazel, we’re home.”
Epilogue
They were down by the lake. Playing with their mother since morning. Nova hadn’t been able to visit them yet that day, too busy with making sure the young borders were secure, but now he had a chance to do so and slipped out of camp. He bounded down to meet them, and could hear them as they splashed and squealed before he could see them. But when he did he broke into a grin.
The Colony had settled down into their new home, knowing nothing but peace, but it took Nova a while to agree to having them. He wasn’t sure being a father would be one of his strongpoints. The fear of failure, of letting others down, never really left Nova. But Hazel assured him it would be fine, that she would help him through it, and she was right. He never once regretted his decision to say yes.
The three kittens whipped around as they heard their father emerging from the trees, and instantly their faces lit up with joy. “Daddy!” the tom cried, and they all rushed to meet him. He was buried in a pile of soaked furballs, but he didn’t push them off, he just purred.
Hazel padded up to her mate, purring lovingly as well. “They’ve been waiting for you,” she mewed. “They wanted to show you the new game they made up.”
“Yeah!” the oldest confirmed. “It’s called ‘Escape the Forest!’”
Nova watched as his kittens clambered off of him and demonstrated their new game. One of them was to pretend to be a dreaded, evil tree-killer, and the others had to escape from it past the Mountain—who was Hazel—before it could capture them. Watching their antics was really quite adorable, how they splashed through the water to get past their mother, squealing with glee. But it brought back terrible memories to Nova from a time so long ago when the Colony really did have to escape from such horrors.
“Do you like it?” His kittens were looking back at him with the familiar hunger for approval shining in their wide eyes.
“Yes, yes… it looks very fun.” Nova had a feeling that he wasn’t being very sincere, that they could see his concern on his face, because they looked down with disappointment. Hazel shot him an apologetic glance.
“We’re sorry for making you sad, Daddy.” Nova couldn’t stay concerned when he saw such remorseful expressions. They really had no intention of harm. He quickly assured them that it was alright, that they could keep playing their game, but then one of them spoke up.
“What was it like? The old forest,” the youngest squeaked. The most curious one. The one with Flame’s eyes.
Nova paused, measuring his words, before replying. “It was very beautiful. The Colony lived in a camp beside a neighborhood, full of humans, but they were kind humans, not the ones who made us leave. There was a Meadow, a Great Oak whose roots were the leader’s den...” Nova’s heart clenched with sadness again from the bittersweet memories. “We loved our home very much. But we love our new one just as well.”
“So do we!” the youngest piped in again, her tiny tail swishing with excitement over the story.
“And you know what?” Nova continued, leaning in close to the kittens with Hazel watching fondly from behind. “As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we live. No matter what happens, we’ll always be home. And we’ll always be the Colony.”
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