I paced the twoleg den anxiously. We had only been in here for three days and yet it's felt like a moon. I needed to see the sky, breathe in the fresh air; not be trapped in some old twoleg den.

"What if we all took on the guards? Couldn't we just fight them off?" I asked.

Winter shook his head. "Someone tried that once. Everyone who went with him were killed. Yes, there are guards right outside the prisoner's den; but there are even more surrounding it, hiding in the shadows."

My stomach growled and I gazed out the front broken window. I frowned because I couldn't see the sky from here. In the pine forest I couldn't see the sky as well as say Cloudclan or Breezeclan but at least I felt comfort under the cover of the pines. Here, I just felt trapped; which I was.

When food finally came on the third day, I frowned in disappointment. It would have been better just to starve. The food they brought us was barely enough for one cat, let alone six. Also, I thought I saw a bug or two in it. I decided I wasn't hungry and to let the other cats eat it. They fought over it, anyway.

I couldn't stop thinking of what Flick had said, his betrayal. Everytime I thought of that, tears formed in my eyes. It seemed like the only cat I could trust out here was a kittypet. Who knew the outside world could be so rough?

I never did learn the names of the three other skinny cats, but one of them just died from starvation. The two others barely mourned for her, they just ate the remains of her carcass. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and turned away. Winter joined them, but didn't eat much. Bella was just as picky as I was, maybe even pickier. She ignored any food that was brought in from outside.

The days seemed to be passing by slower and slower. I thought it had been five days, but I could be wrong; I most likely was. I slept mostly during the day and stayed up at night, wishing I could see the stars. Although thinking of the stars brought Flick to my mind again and I had to struggle not to break into a sob.

After what felt like moons of waiting, more guards than usual walked in. I looked up in interest as they escorted one of the unfamiliar skinny cats out of the twoleg den. Then more came in and escorted the rest of us out. I stayed close to Bella as they forced us out.

I thought it would be great to be outside again but it was just as bad as being trapped in that den. I felt the stares of just about everyone out today. I wanted to just run and run until I reached Shadeclan but all these stares made me uncomfortable.

We went in a different direction than where we came in, I think. It was unfamiliar to me, at least. The guards lead us one way and then the next, probably trying to confuse us. Soon though, we reached a small clearing.

The clearing was surrounded by cats. I looked around and could see Aster sitting a little higher up in the back; I thought she was sitting on a pile of rocks. Beside her, was a black tom with yellowish eyes; Cliff. Then on her other side, was a sandy tom with amber eyes. He met my gaze and I narrowed my eyes, looking away. I couldn't bear to even look at him right now.

I watched as the skinny prisoner was brought to the clearing. Another cat, a tortoiseshell she-cat, stepped forward. At Aster's call, the tortoiseshell leaped at the skinny cat. The prisoner never had a chance against her. Soon, I had to look away so I couldn't see the tortoiseshell ripping the flesh away from the skinny prisoner.

"Birch, no!" I heard a voice cry out.

I turned my head to watch as guards held back a struggling skinny she-cat. She appeared to have tears in her eyes as she reached for the dead cat. Had Birch been her mate? My eyes saddened and I looked back at Aster, giving her a glare. I refused to turn my gaze the slightest to meet the eyes of a sandy tom.

After the fight, the remaining prisoners and I were lead back to the den. I yawned as we padded along. Normally, I would be curled up asleep right now. I didn't usually get much sleep, but I didn't have dreams either which meant I didn't have nightmares.

As soon as I entered the den, I curled up under the broken window and drifted off into sleep.

I awoke in a strangely familiar forest. I narrowed my eyes through the muggy forest, waiting for the orange scarred cat. Soon enough, he emerged from the mist.

"What now? As you've probably seen, I'm trapped in a twoleg den and can't do anything about it. What could you possibly to make my life worse?" I asked.

The orange cat stayed silent and stopped in front of me.

"Hello? Can't you hear me?"

The orange cat nodded. "You must escape the grasp of Aster's group, before it's too late." He told me.

"Wait, what? You're helping me? But why?" I asked him.

The cat flicked his tail. "I have my reasons; but you must get out before it's too late, no matter what it costs."

I backed away and shook my head. "If I'm to escape, I'm getting out with Bella and the other prisoners."

"What about Flick?" The scarred cat asked.

I hissed at him. "That cat means nothing to me. He can stay here with his family for as long as he lives, for all I care. I want nothing more to do with him."

"I know you feel betrayed, but sometimes you have to learn to give others a second chance." He said.

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't want to hear anymore of this. I knew you weren't going to be helpful at all!" I turned and started running. I ran and ran until I awoke gasping for breath. 

I shuddered and shook my head, shaking the remnants of my dream. I stood up and padded over to the window. What did the ginger cat mean; how could I trust Flick after what he had done? I sighed and rested my head on the side of the window.

It was dark, which meant it must still be early. Either that, or late. I didn't think I could beat to trust Flick again. How can I trust someone who betrayed me and turned me over as an enemy?

I felt so alone, sitting here by the window. Everyone else was asleep beside the night guards, but they weren't much company. I told myself I didn't want Flick as company, but Cloverpaw and Pinepaw.

Pinepaw.

How could I forget about the russet tom? My face saddened as I thought of how worried he would be. Cloverpaw, was she still her happy self? Was Willowbreeze just as worried? Or had the whole clan just given up on finding me?

I turned away and started towards the back of the den when I heard something. I turned to see the guards leaving and another two replacing them. I shook my head and turned back around.

"Lavenderpaw." A voice called softly to me.

I narrowed my eyes and whirled around to face the sandy tom. What was he doing here? Wasn't he supposed to stay near Aster or something?

"What do you want?" I sneered.

Flick's face saddened. "Lavenderpaw, why are you mad at me?" He asked.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because of the fact that you turned me over to the enemy to be a prisoner. Or maybe it's because I've been forced to go hungry and watch innocent cats die. Or maybe it's because you betrayed my trust." I hissed quietly as to not awake the others or alert the other guard.

Flick sighed. "I never betrayed you. I'm sorry you've been kept in here but I never betrayed you. I told the others to bring more food in because you and Bella have joined the prisoners but I'll have to talk to the guards about that. I'm sorry you were forced to watch that fight, I wish I could have kept that from you. It's just that I'm trying to earn back Aster's trust. I'm trying to go quickly, but it may just take time. I'll also have to convince Cliff . . ."

"Wait, slow down, what are you talking about?" I asked, confusion clear on my face.

"You didn't think I would just abandon you, did you? I wasn't planning on returning here but I knew we couldn't run once we were spotted. Ever since we arrived, I've been working on a plan to get us and Bella out." Flick answered.

"You mean . . . you don't want to be the next leader for these rogues?" I asked.

Flick shook his head. "I left this group for a reason. They're to harsh for my liking, and . . . have done some cruel things . . ." He shook his head. "Anyway, that doesn't matter now. All that matters is all three of us getting out alive."

"Okay, how do you suppose we do that?" I asked.

"I think I may have a plan, but it will have to go accordingly. We can't have one thing go wrong because I don't have a backup plan." Flick said. "Tomorrow, Aster has asked to speak to you personally. Try not to give too much information away. While you're doing that, I will be waiting just outside her den so I know when you're finished. There's one cat here who wants to help me get you guys out, so he will escort you back to this den. Make sure Bella is ready, because he will lead the two of you out the back way."

"What about you?" I wondered. Did Flick plan on coming with us?

"Once the two of you get out, just run. I'll have to improvise in order to escape because I don't exactly have a plan for that. Don't worry though, I'll meet up with you guys by sunset." Flick answered with a smile.

I narrowed my eyes. "I wasn't worried, I was just making sure you weren't ditching us." I defended myself. "I don't even know if I can completely trust you, but I guess this is my only chance of getting out of here."

Flick nodded. "I hope you can forgive me, but I guess that will just take time." He turned around and nodded. "Almost done." He said to the guard outside. He turned back to me. "Make sure Bella knows the plan and she's ready." The sandy tom then turned and padded out of the den.

I sighed and shook my head. I didn't want to trust Flick, but it was my only option right now besides dying in here. I padded to the back of the den so I could prepare Bella. I just hoped this was going to work.

Do you think Lavenderpaw can trust Flick? What do you think of the orange cat? Why do you think he was trying to help her?

Thank you so much to those who enjoy reading my story!

I hope you all have had a great week!

//Word count: 1877//