Dark Forest Resident: Runningripple
Aliases / Nicknames: Kit Killer, Foxglove Killer
Family: Antwillow (mother) Scorchberry (sister), Snowfreckle (brother), Springstar (mate)
Other relationships: unnamed mentor
Characteristics: does not want others to suffer
Murder Method: poisoning with foxglove, euthanization
Known Victims: Carpfang, Eelkit, Elmwhisper, Fawntalon, Fishfrost, Merlinkit, Shadewhisper, Springstar, Wasppaw, Waddlekit, Webkit
Cause of Death: self-inflicted poisoning
Runningripple became a full medicine cat during a particularly bad year. The year had started when a river flooded, drowning his beloved mother- Antwillow- alongside many others in his Clan. Devastated by this tragedy, Runningripple tried his best to treat his clan, using his knowledge to help his Clanmates, but a drought during greenleaf brought more pain.
During this drought, the prey ran thin, and Runningripple could only watch in horror as more and more cats succumbed to starvation.
The tipping point was the kits, brought in by Fawntalon, a first-time mother who had fed her kits moldy fresh-kill out of desperation. Runningripple snapped at her that she should’ve known better, and that he wasn’t sure if he could help the mewling kits.
Runningripple was seething, wondering how these kits would even survive the coming leaf-bare.
Out of necessity, he told himself, he fed them each just a scrap of foxglove. It was more than enough, and he wanted to make sure they wouldn’t experience more hurt at Fawntalon’s paws.
When Fawntalon returned, she was devastated, and Runningripple handed her some herbs to help with the emotional pain.
Merely an hour late, she was dead.
Over the following moons, Runningripple killed more, only choosing to target those he felt had little chance. But then his mate got sick, and, with a sigh, Runningripple went through the motions, then curled into his dead mate and finished the poison-laced mouse for her.
--Submission by @ambitiousauthor Thank you!
