A Forest Divided by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Thunder padded stiffly from the camp. He was acutely aware of the cats following at his heels. He was responsible for them now—all of them. His heart pounded in his chest. Am I doing the right thing?

His father’s words rang in his ears. If Star Flower had chosen you instead of me, you wouldn’t be leaving. You’re blinded by jealousy.

Was that true?

No! It was far more than that. He couldn’t live where he wasn’t listened to—and he couldn’t watch Clear Sky let cats go hungry. Did his father truly believe that their prey would not last through leaf-bare, or was he just flexing his claws because he enjoyed ordering cats around?

Lightning Tail fell in beside Thunder as he headed for the gully. “Why didn’t you tell me you were planning to leave?”

Thunder avoided his gaze. “It was a quick decision.” Numbly, he slithered into the gully. Rain had washed through it and the earth was soft. Mud seeped around his paws.

Lightning Tail landed behind him. “Where are we going?”

Thunder felt the cold night air pierce his fur. “I’m not sure.” He glanced over his shoulder. Leaf, Cloud Spots, and Pink Eyes were following, Owl Eyes on their tail. His heart pounded harder. Gray Wing believed in me, he reminded himself. I can do this.

The gully wound toward the sycamore slope, and he leaped up it, following the path he had carried prey along earlier that day. The forest was dark, the moon hidden behind clouds. As they climbed the slope, he stretched his eyes wide, picking out shapes among the shadows. An owl screeched in the distance, and Lightning Tail pricked his ears.

“There must be prey around,” the black tom murmured.

“We can hunt in the morning,” Thunder told him. “We have to find somewhere safe to sleep.” If owls were looking for prey, foxes would be too.

“Thunder!” Owl Eyes called from behind.

Thunder heard fear in his mew and stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Owl Eyes was staring back down the slope, his pelt bristling. “We’re being followed.”

Thunder stiffened. Had Clear Sky sent a patrol after them? He dashed past Leaf and Cloud Spots and stopped beside the young gray tom. “Can you see anything?”

Owl Eyes shook his head. “I heard voices.”

Thunder tasted the air. There were no strange smells. Just the scents of the camp drifting through the damp forest. “You’re imagining it.” He began to head back to Lightning Tail.

A hiss sounded from shadows below. A twig cracked.

“Who’s there?” Thunder unsheathed his claws.

“I’ll take a look.” Leaf barged past him, ears flat. Growling, the black-and-white tom raced for the gully.

Thunder watched him go, his ears twitching uneasily.

Cloud Spots’s pelt brushed his. “Has Clear Sky come after us?”

“Why would he?” Lightning Tail paced around them. “He said we could go if we wanted.”

Cloud Spots snorted. “But he’s Clear Sky, remember? He can’t be trusted.”

Pink Eyes was staring silently into the darkness. The half-blind cat’s mouth was open as he tasted for scents.

Thunder saw his ears twitch. “What—”

“Hush!” Pink Eyes leaned forward, his pelt bristling.

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