Plot ➸ After watching Acornpaw kill Thawpaw, Duskfur contemplates on what to do about her son.

Characters ➸  Duskfur, Acornpaw, Thawpaw.

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"Thawpaw, Acornpaw, I need you to get moss for Specklenose," a dark, spotted ginger she-cat told the two apprentices. She swished her bushy tail in the dirt, green eyes flickering over to the elders' den. "She's been feeling a little ill lately. Please, be quick."

⠀⠀The silver-gray tom known as Thawpaw nodded. "Of course, Vixenfoot." He flashed a smirk toward Acornpaw, who seemed as if he were sinking under his pelt. "We'll be quick."

⠀⠀Vixenfoot nodded. "Good. Go."

⠀⠀Thawpaw twisted around and strolled out of the camp with a confident swagger, tail raised high. Acornpaw slowly followed behind, looking anxious as ever.

⠀⠀Duskfur narrowed her eyes, watching from the shadows. She unwrapped her tail from her paws, wondering if she should follow. A feeling in her gut told her something bad would happen. She wanted to know if she was right -- besides, she knew Thawpaw and Acornpaw were rivals. Who knew how they would treat each other?

⠀⠀Duskfur lifted herself to her paws, nodding to Cloudclaw as she exited the camp. She opened her jaws, scents hitting the tan-brown she-cat from all sides. Narrowing her blue eyes, Duskfur made out the scent of Acornpaw and Thawpaw.

⠀⠀She leapt up the rise in the ground and slunk behind the trees, padding a little faster to catch up with the toms. She made sure she was low -- her belly was nearly touching the ground, tail down and straight. Duskfur made sure not to step on any twigs or sticks.

⠀⠀"It's too bad I have to do this job with the lowest cat in this Clan," a voice sneered. Duskfur froze, ears swiveling toward the voice. She noticed a quivering Acornpaw staring at his paws beside Thawpaw.

⠀⠀The russet-furred tom closed his eyes. "Okay," he responded quietly.

⠀⠀Thawpaw raised a brow and looked as if he were thinking about what insult to spit out next. Duskfur felt her claws slide out, sinking into the ground with each soft pawstep. She hated Thawpaw for bullying Acornpaw like that. It made her blood boil.

⠀⠀"It's too bad I have to do this job with a cat as mouse-brained as his father."

⠀⠀This got Acornpaw's attention. Duskfur's eyes widened. This would truly let her know if her son knew about Antstar.

⠀⠀"What did you say?" Acornpaw growled through clenched teeth. Duskfur had never heard the russet-furred tom angry. Flaretooth flashed in the she-cat's mind, but she sunk her claws deeper into the dirt and forced the image to the back of her mind, as far away as possible.

⠀⠀She would not allow herself to think about him any longer.

⠀⠀"What?" Thawpaw went on. "You haven't heard the rumors? It's said he ran away as a kittypet!"

⠀⠀"That's not true! He was a noble warrior!" Acornpaw snapped back, hate glowing in his green eyes as he stared at Thawpaw. Duskfur almost let out a sigh of relief. So he doesn't know. Good.

⠀⠀"Kittypet! Kittypet! Kittypet!" Thawpaw jeered.

⠀⠀Duskfur felt a growl rising in her throat, but didn't allow the noise to come out. She wouldn't give herself away.

⠀⠀I hate that stupid tom, she snarled in her mind. However, maybe Acornpaw will finally stand up for himself.

⠀⠀Duskfur shook her head and continued to follow her son and Thawpaw. She flicked her ears forward, trying to listen to the conversation...or whatever was going on.

⠀⠀"Just go run away with your father! No one wants you here!" Thawpaw spat, narrowing his cold icy-blue eyes at Acornpaw.

⠀⠀Duskfur curled her lip. Thawpaw was not only making her son miserable, but was also delaying their time to get moss. What if Specklenose died because of them?

⠀⠀"Just...just shut up!" Acornpaw yowled. He turned and raised his paw, claws ticking out. The tom slashed his claws across Thawpaw's throat, blood spewing out and pouring onto the ground.

⠀⠀Thawpaw's shocked gaze disappeared when he fell to the ground. It turned to nothing but pure hurt.

⠀⠀"H-Have pity!" Thawpaw wailed in pain, gagging on his words.

⠀⠀Duskfur was frozen in her spot. Her paws wouldn't move. She was so horrified she didn't even know what to do.

⠀⠀It felt like a large snake was curling around her, constricting her slowly. The snake thrust its head toward her and wrapped its mighty jaws around her heart, sinking its teeth into it. Her heart shattered into a million pieces and she couldn't even feel anything anymore.

⠀⠀Her jaw fell open as she watched Acornpaw's reaction. He, too, looked shocked and horrified. Just like she was. Duskfur didn't even know what to say. She was disgusted. Her own son, killing another cat?

⠀⠀That's not how I wanted Acornpaw to stand up for himself! I...I thought he would use words! Not his claws!

⠀⠀The tan-brown she-cat felt her heart weigh down in her chest like a rock. The only thing she felt was guilt -- she hadn't wanted to interfere between Acornpaw and Thawpaw. She had wanted Acornpaw to be able to defend himself. To be independent. She thought it would work.

⠀⠀It hadn't.

⠀⠀Instead, because of her, Thawpaw was dead. If she had only come between the two!

⠀⠀Duskfur wanted to throw up. She watched as Acornpaw grabbed Thawpaw's scruff sadly, dragging him to the lake. Duskfur looked away as she heard a splash. She couldn't watch. She wouldn't.

⠀⠀A tear fell from her cheek, falling to the ground. All she wanted to do was sob, wallow in her own self-pity, but she couldn't. She had to act strong. Tough. She couldn't let herself look weak. That's what would kill her. To have help for once.

⠀⠀Duskfur turned and padded down the slope. She couldn't get her mind off of the image of Acornpaw dragging his sharp, pearly-white claws against Thawpaw's throat, ripping it open like it was nothing.

⠀⠀Did he even feel bad?

⠀⠀Duskfur closed her eyes, gritting her teeth as she entered the camp.

⠀⠀"You okay?" Cloudclaw inquired, staring at Duskfur.

⠀⠀"Fine!" she spat, giving the tom a glare. She staggered into the warriors' den, falling into her nest. She felt more tears enter her eyes, but she didn't let them fall.

⠀⠀What do I do? Her mind raced. She didn't know if she should turn him in. If she did, it would be hard. Even if he had killed a cat, Acornpaw was still her son...

⠀⠀Duskfur closed her eyes and raked her nest with her claws. Maybe if she had been a better mother, Acornpaw would know wrong from right! He would know that killing a cat was not okay!

⠀⠀But I wasn't there. Because I was too depressed to care about anyone but myself. If only StarClan had let me be happy...

⠀⠀Duskfur picked her head up. StarClan! What would she do?

⠀⠀Am I really going to be able to turn him in?

⠀⠀Duskfur didn't know if she could live with herself if she didn't tell someone about this.

⠀⠀Maybe I can tell Antstar! He...He'll know what to do!

⠀⠀No! another voice in the back of her head snarled. You can't look weak. Going to Antstar will do just that. Don't give in to your emotions.

⠀⠀I'm not saying I love Antstar! But he's too innocent to not be trusted. He wouldn't tell anyone ... if I didn't let him. I can't keep this on my shoulders! It's too much!

⠀⠀It's not even your problem, idiot.

⠀⠀Duskfur growled. Of course it is! He's my son! And ... and maybe he deserves it!

⠀⠀Wow, Duskfur. That's cold.

⠀⠀She placed her paws on her head, wrapping her thin tail around her body. Are you with me or against me?

⠀⠀Fine. Tell Antstar. But make sure Acornpaw knows first -- and maybe you can even fill him in some lies about his father ... it'll be the perfect last time for him to know.

⠀⠀Why tell Antstar at all, then?

⠀⠀Duskfur, come on. Are you really that stupid? I'm disappointed. You know why it's important to tell him? Because you can become leader! Antstar dislikes him just as much as you do--

⠀⠀Duskfur's eyes turned to slits. I don't dislike him. I just don't know how to raise him! He was an accident, remember? I was never suppose to have kits.

⠀⠀Whatever. But I have a plan for you. Tell Antstar that you'll speak some things about Acornpaw if he lets you become deputy.

⠀⠀Duskfur's blue eyes widened. Deputy...?

⠀⠀Are you deaf? Yes! That's what I said! Antstar's going to give in of course, and you'll have everything you ever wanted -- power.

⠀⠀Her ambition pulled Duskfur away from her emotional side. She smirked a little. You...you think?

⠀⠀If you do what I'm telling you, I think you have a clear shot at the position.

⠀⠀What about Scalestorm?

⠀⠀Antstar will deal with him.

⠀⠀Duskfur contemplated. She would be betraying Acornpaw, but would he even know? Besides, he deserved it, and Duskfur would finally get what she wanted her whole life. Authority.

⠀⠀"Okay...I'll do it," Duskfur murmured. "I'll do what you want. But don't blame me if Acornpaw ever wants revenge."

⠀⠀Are you kidding? That weakling? He'll never come back! He'll run away and cry like a kit.

⠀⠀Duskfur wasn't so sure, but she decided to go with it anyway.

⠀⠀She would tell Acornpaw when he was alone.

⠀⠀She would manipulate Antstar to become deputy.

And she would
finally be granted
her final wish.