I pounded away from the scene as Scar was torn apart. His screams echoed into the forest as I dashed away. I can't let myself get killed, I have a duty. I'll warn the Clan and the other Clans but that's it. I only have 4 lives left. I thought as I raced away from his screams. Suddenly, they stopped. He must be out of his misery. I thought. I didn't dare look behind me.

I slowed down as my camp came into view. I can't make them panic. What do I tell them? I'll say Scar went to his nest. Wait... what about the flesh-eating cats?

"Reedstar, where's Scar?" Whitetooth asked. His patrol of four - Whitetooth and Flamescar and their apprentices, Blackpaw and Rockpaw - must've caught up with me. My eyes darted around while I tried to hide my anxiousness and think of a reason suitable for what was going on.

"I sent him home." I murmured, trotting into camp. "Why? Was it a prank?" Rockpaw asked, coming in beside me. "No, but it was something... minor. Everything's fine. He's old and he's... seeing things..." I growled quickly, hoping they'd believe me.

It seemed good enough because no one asked anymore questions. "Reedstar." Poppyheart's voice panted behind me and I spun around. "What?" I mewed. She looks more tired then ever... What's going on?

"It's Magmapaw, Brackenpelt and Oceantail. When they came back this morning from Twolegplace, Magmapaw came to me with a bite. She's been coughing up blood ever since. Same with Brackenpelt but Oceantail seems to be fine. I can't seem to get them to stop with anything!" She exclaimed. I gave her a bewildered look and followed her into the den.

"I tried to give them poppy seeds several times, but they keep coughing them up!" Poppyheart's whisper in the medicine den was desperate and I shrugged with wide eyes, "I'm not a medicine cat! I don't know! You'll have to come with me to see DarkClan and LightClan. Something's up in Twolegplace." I hissed and Poppyheart opened her mouth to reply, eyes glistening with confusion, but Magmapaw started to heave again. She hurried to tend to the young apprentice.

"Let me see her!" Lionroar wailed from outside. "I can't let him see her like this, Reedstar. He won't take my reassurance, please, go tell him she's fine while I try to stop her from heaving," Poppyheart mewed and I nodded. Magmapaw made a moaning sound and I looked over my shoulder. Is she going to turn into one of them?

"Reedstar, move." Lionroar hissed, fur fluffed up. Cloudjaw and Whitetooth were trying to hold him back. "No. Magmapaw is alright, trust me. She's sleeping now and she doesn't need anyone bothering her." Lionroar didn't seem to believe me, but reluctantly, the large warrior backed away.

All of a sudden, Lionroar shoved me out of the way and disappeared into the medicine den.

I stumbled from the blow and fell backwards. Quickly, I got up and stepped in. "No one else is to come in. If they do, attack them and bring them out immediately." I growled and Cloudjaw nodded.

Lionroar was prodding at Magmapaw. She lay on the ground motionless, her breathing fast and shallow. Poppyheart pushed me back out.

"I don't think she can handle this much blood loss. It's not normal. At first it was what she had to eat before leaving, now it's just constant blood mixed with white and yellow. That's deadly." She murmured and the camp went dead silent. Her eyes were filled with horror.

I could hear moans from far away. Brackenpelt started to heave loudly. I stepped back in and Lionroar was laying beside his daughter.

"Lionroar," I murmured, nudging him. Will Magmapaw become one of those flesh-eating cats? Will Brackenpelt? "You need to step away from Magmapaw." Lionroar growled as Poppyheart tried to drag her away.

"She's all I have left, leave her alone!" Lionroar yowled, unsheathing his claws and baring his teeth.

The muscle around the bite began to twitch madly and before we knew it, Magmapaw started to stir, making a moaning sound. "Magmapaw! You're alright!" Lionroar breathed. Magmapaw didn't answer, only reached for him, mouth gaping open. Her eyes were wide... and white.

"Magmapaw?" Lionroar mewed. I shoved him out of the way just as she came at him.

"What are you doing?!" Lionroar sneered, shoving me away with a deadly glare. Magmapaw dove for Lionroar and before he could do anything, she bit down on his side and ripped his flesh off. The wound gushed thick, crimson blood. I felt my stomach spin and had to squeeze my eyes shut. This isn't real! It has to be a dream!

Poppyheart screamed and Brackenpelt gasped, clenching his jaw. Blood started to come out of his jaw even with his mouth clenched shut. He made a dry heaving noise and he laid down.

Lionroar backed into the corner of the medicine den as Magmapaw stumbled over.

"Poppyheart, get any supplies that might not have been infected and get out." I ordered and she nodded, shaking badly and stepping over Brackenpelt's still corpse. I shoved Magmapaw into the farthest corner and watched her frail body tumble over. She continued to stumble toward me until Poppyheart gathered the remaining supplies. We then dashed out of the medicine den.

"Cloudjaw, Whitetooth, close up the den. None of them will survive." I instructed and the two warriors nodded despite the confusion in their eyes.

Birdfeather hurried over, her belly swinging as she stepped closer. "What's going on?" She whispered and I walked by her, avoiding eye contact.

"SpiritClan." I began, stepping on top of the High Stone. "Something is spreading through out the Twolegplace. We must contain it before it spreads into the forest like it had into Brackenpelt and Magmapaw. Some kind of infection Poppyheart can't fix is spreading to the brain and giving you a... craving for flesh." Gasps echoed among the cats below. The Clan murmured to each other.

"Lionroar won't make it because he was bitten. If someone starts to cough up blood or is bitten by anyone or anything, kill them. Do not hesitate. I know it isn't right, but we cannot let the forest become over run." I stomped my paw onto the rock.

"Cloudjaw, keep the Clan in order. I need to warn the other Clans before it's too late. Poppyheart, you're coming with me." She only nodded, eyes wide with distraught and confusion.

I hopped back down and cats started attacking me with questions. I waved my tail for silence and they all stopped. "I know nothing about what is happening. I will be back." Hopefully.

Birdfeather's gaze met mine and I sighed, dipping my head to her. She looked more scared than ever.

"What do we do? Are we going to die?" She whispered. Over course she's scared. Who wouldn't be? But right now, she needs to stop being dramatic and be quiet! "I don't know yet, love. I'll be back."

Poppyheart padded out of the camp with me. Silently we made our way around the trees that covered our territory. "We'll head to LightClan then make our way to DarkClan." I muttered without looking over. Poppyheart sighed and we picked up the pace. The moor came into view and I began to trot.

We crossed the border without hesitation and made our way through the long grass. I went around the hill and was met by a patrol coming out of the entrance of the den. "Woah, woah, what are you two doing here?" Ratstripe growled. Raincloud, Squirreltail and Deerpaw stood behind him.

"We need to speak with Crystalstar and Lilypatch. There is something going on in Twolegplace... Something sinister." I responded in an even tone.

Ratstripe exchanged a glance with Raincloud then Squirrelflight. Finally he nodded with his eyes narrowed, "I will escort you there." 

I dipped my head in return and followed the patrol into their camp.

Crystalstar was speaking to Lilypatch and I padded to them. They looked up, confused and alarmed.

"Reedstar," She dipped her head and Lilypatch did also, standing. Before she could say anything more, I muttered, "Could we speak in your den? This is something no cat can hear or panic will come." I asked, padding to what seemed to be her den.

Crystalstar blocked my path. "We shall speak outside." She growled, chin raised. I nodded and followed her. My heart raced.

Will she believe me? Even if she doesn't, I shouldn't care. She'll have to deal with it herself.

"Now. What is it?" She mewed, Lilypatch sat beside her, eyes narrowed. "I know you won't believe me like I hadn't when Scar warned me. But he showed me these cats that he had woken up to." I began, trying not to rush out the details. "He had fallen in and died because of them. They ate him alive. Six cats. I tried to save him, but they were surrounding him." I lied.

"Their eyes were white like they were dead and all they did was moan. Then I came back and Magmapaw and Brackenpelt were puking blood. Magmapaw had been bitten in Twolegplace and somehow Brackenpelt had gotten the infection, too." Crystalstar and Lilypatch exchanged confused glances.

"Magmapaw died of blood loss shortly after," Poppyheart continued, "And Lionroar wouldn't leave her side. Magmapaw came back alive and took a chunk of meat off of his side. Brackenpelt died, too, but Reedstar ordered to close up the medicine den before someone else was bitten."

Crystalstar seemed speechless and Poppyheart looked over at me. I shrugged.

"Is this a joke? Because if it is, it's a sick joke and we are both not amused in any way." Lilypatch hissed, tail lashing. Poppyheart shook her head, "No, please, you have to believe us. I don't understand what's happening either but this is real."

Crystalstar opened her mouth to argue but I stopped her. "We only came to warn you. Good day to you." I dipped my head and stood up, taking Poppyheart with me. Crystalstar and Lilypatch began to discuss what we had said as we left in the direction of DarkClan.

"Lets see if Leopardstar believes us." I growled, trotting through the long grass and heather. The sky was filled with dark clouds, threatening rain. My mind was whirling. 

It took us a while to get to DarkClan's border, but after a few spider-webs and tripping over moss-lined logs, we made it. "Hurry. We need to get back to camp." We began to run through the dense woods of thick pine trees and puddles.

The marsh opened up and a cleared spot with not too many trees came into sight. Thorns were wrapped around the clearing.

"This place always gave me the creeps," Poppyheart whispered, looking around.

"Leopardstar! Reedstar is here." Darkheart announced. Boldfang and Venomsoul gave us a growl as we passed them.

They have always hated us. One battle for territory and we are hated upon. Pebblefur poked her head out and Poppyheart glanced over.

Leopardstar came out of her den. For a she-cat, she's always scared me.

She's massive for a she-cat, too. Spotted and covered in muscle, Leopardstar isn't afraid to kill. She'd be perfect to help kill of the infection.

"Reedstar." She growled as I came up to her. I had to look up to her, that's how tall and muscular she was. She was the reason I lost my five other lives, which was embarrassing to admit. Well three of the five I lost, anyway.

Dipping my head to the leader of DarkClan, I kept my voice calm. "Leopardstar. I need to tell you something. Please do not take this as a joke or anything. I have never been more serious in my life..." I mewed and she narrowed her eyes.

Poppyheart and I explained quickly to her what had happened and she sat down, tail lashing. "I believe this isn't a joke." She mewed and I leaned in. Finally! 

"I think this is a lie," She snarled, shooting me a glare. "What are you trying to do? Scare my Clan away? I knew you hated DarkClan, but I didn't think you'd try to scare us off." She rumbled as she purred, standing.

"Please! This isn't a lie! If you don't believe us, something will happen to you!" Poppyheart pleaded, eyes glazed in hope. 

The tall she-cat turned away and flicked her tail."Leave, Reedstar." Leopardstar hissed. "Darkheart, get these fools out of my territory." Darkheart nodded and led us away. He led us through the territory and to our border.

He turned to us suddenly, "I believe you." He murmured as we crossed into our own territory. I glanced over my shoulder, almost confused. "You do?" Poppyheart and I asked at the same time.

Darkheart nodded, "I'll try to convince Leopardstar. I usually sneak to Twolegplace to see someone and she was... Some kind of flesh-eater. Kay was her name. I only got a small bite from her. I can convince Leopardstar." Darkheart explained, showing a bite under his fur just under his shoulder.

"Darkheart... You won't make it through the night with that bite." Poppyheart whispered, examining it.

"Then I'll have to convince Leopardstar tonight." I thought I caught a glimpse of sorrow in his light blue eyes. "Good luck." He dipped his head and trotted off.

Poppyheart exchanged a relieved glance with me. "At least someone believes us." I murmured. "Is that what you care about right now? Darkheart - a living cat - won't make it through the night and you care about someone believing us?" Poppyheart growled and I glared at her.

"It wouldn't matter if I cared anyway." I scowled, "Caring doesn't save the infected."