We've been traveling for a half a moon, and we're just now reaching the mountains.

I looked up at the huge mounds of earth in wonder and amazement.

"They were farther away than I thought, they looked close enough to reach in just a few days." I said.

Flick nodded. "It can be hard to judge how far away they are, especially if you aren't used to travelling."

Flick has been travelling with us since the dog attack. He said we needed someone who knew how to fight to protect us. I couldn't argue with that, seeing as I could've died from the dog attack. Why couldn't I have at least gotten more training in before the stupid twoleg stole me?

Bella smiled up at the mountains. "They're so beautiful." She meowed in wonder.

"How long are they? They're definitely bigger than a forest. They actually look bigger than all four clan territories put together!" I asked Flick.

"Well, at the very least it'll take about a moon to travel through. That's not counting any predators or other cats who might attack us. So it'll most likely take a few moons." Flick answered.

I sighed, but nodded. "Then we'd better get going. My clan must be worried sick about me." I said before padding ahead.

"Wait," Flick said and I stopped to turn to him. "We need to be careful. There are steep edges and slippery paths in the mountains. Just watch your step."

I nodded. "You should lead then, Flick. You seem to have the most experience with these mountains."

"Yes, and you could warn us of any danger ahead." Bella added.

Flick laughed. "Okay, fine." He agreed and looked around. Once he found a good trail, he started upwards.

We barely spoke as we climbed, it seemed steeper than it had looked. I panted and dug my claws into the ground. My stomach rumbled, but I knew this was not a good place to stop and hunt.

I glanced at Bella and then Flick. I knew I could trust Bella, but what about Flick? Yes, he had saved me from dying; but we knew nothing about him at all. I sighed and shook my head. I would just have to hope for the best.

-

I narrowed my eyes through the muggy forest. I heard someone approaching and my fur stood on end.

"Who's there?" I hissed, looking around.

I watched as a ginger tom emerged. He had half a tail and scars covering. A cruel grin was on his face.

"You." I growled, stepping back. What did this cat want with me? "Who are you? What do you want?"

The tom just laughed, walking slowly towards me. "You'll find out soon enough who I am. As for what I want . . ."

I heard laughing and the tom disappeared. I whirled around, searching for him; but I couldn't spot the ginger tom again. The forest swirled around me and suddenly, my face was drenched with water.

I jumped to my feet in surprise and looked around. Bella was grooming herself a few tail-lengths away from me. I realized we were in a hollowed out tree and looked up to see I was right under the gap. I backed away from it and shook out my wet fur.

It still seemed to be raining from the night before. Not as bad, of course, but still raining. The wind was stronger, though. I shuddered as a guest of wind blew through the hollow tree.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked.

I looked over to see the former kittypet looking me over. I remembered the dream and looked away.

"I-I'm fine." I said. There was no need to worry Bella about the ginger cat who only seemed to appear in her dreams.

Bella didn't look convinced, but nodded. "Flick will be back soon with some freshkill. He went out hunting early this morning."

I looked out to see clouds covering the sky. I could only spot a patch or two of sky. How were they supposed to know what time of day it was? What if the sun were already going down?

Before I could worry for too long, the sandy tom padded into the hollowed out tree with two squirrels and a mouse in his jaws. He shook out his wet fur and set them down.

"Sorry I took so long. The prey don't usually come out in this weather and I wanted to catch enough for all three of us." Flick said.

Bella sniffed tentatively at the mouse and wrinkled her nose. Her stomach growled though, and she took a bit of it, chewing slowly. After she swallowed the bite, she turned to me.

"I don't see how you actually eat this stuff everyday." She said but continued to eat.

I swiped my tongue over my jaws. "Squirrel is my favorite. Plus, you get used to the taste. Better than kittypet food." I said and laughed at that before digging into the squirrel.

I didn't realize how hungry I was before now. I swiftly gulped down the squirrel and swiped my jaws when I was done with a smile.

"Thanks, Flick. I didn't realize I had been so hungry." I said with a laugh.

Flick nodded. "Everyone was asleep, so I figured I would hunt for the morning. That way we could get an early start."

Bella looked at him like he was crazy. "Are we seriously going to travel in that?" She asked him, motioning to the rain outside.

I looked at her and answered for the sandy tom. "We need to cover as much ground as we can before leaf-bare. I can already feel that it's colder today than yesterday and nearly all the leaves have fallen. I don't like it anymore than you do but I need to get back to Shadeclan."

Bella sighed and nodded. "Okay, I'll do it for you, Lavenderpaw." She said with a smile.

I could sense Flick watching me but when I turned my head to return his gaze, he looked away. "So we should probably get going now. The rain is just begining to slow and we should take advantage of that while we can."

I nodded and stood up. "Okay, let's go." I said.

So we continued our journey. Thoughts flashed through my mind as we walked. Questions I didn't have the answers to. Who is that scarred ginger cat? Why does he keep visiting me in my dreams? Can Bella and I even trust Flick? Who even is he? Is Shadeclan looking for me? Will I ever return home?

I heard noises surrounding us. Creatures like a fox cry, or an owl. I even heard animals I had never heard before. I had never been so homesick or felt so alone in my life.

Soon enough though, I heard the rain stop after it had slowed a bit. Water was now just dripping from the trees as they climbed higher. I heard Bella sigh with relief and I smiled. I was about to say something when I heard Flick's footsteps hurrying. I increased my pace as well, leaving Bella struggling to catch up. I saw a clearing ahead and excitedly bounded ahead. I wasn't prepared for what I would see.

I skidded to a stop and my mouth gaped in amazement and wonder. As I looked around, all I could see were mountains. I saw a river or two, but mostly mountains.

"Wow." I whispered.

Flick smiled and sat down beside me. I heard Bella trying to catch her breath as she came over to sit on the other side of me.

"Will I ever return to Shadeclan?" I asked, sorrow begining to wash over me.

Bella nodded. "I'm sure you will, I'll make sure of it." She said.

Flick looked down at me but I kept my gaze on the view. Soon enough, he looked back to look over the mountains. I still didn't know if I could fully trust the tom, but right now I just let all my worries and doubts wash away as I enjoyed the amazing view.

Sorry guys this one is kind of a filler. I didn't want to over do it with the action and everything so this chapter is kind of a break from it all.

What do you think about Flick? Do you think Lavenderpaw will ever return to Shadeclan?

I would love to read your thoughts about this story so far!

I'm going to start posting every Saturday from now on.

Also if you would like to create fan art for this then I'll make a fan art page for this.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy it so far!

Happy Halloween!

//Word count: 1354//