Father Son Meeting (short story)
Myrtlewing could scent terror wafting through the chill air stronger than if a mouse had been trapped beneath his claws. Intrigued, he wriggled out from beneath Alderstar’s leg as his mate grumbled in his sleep, stepping over Grousemane and Hootpetal, as well as the young Magpiepaw, who had recently joined them.
He followed the scent, glad to have something solid to follow, after many moons living with continuously shifting winds and light that shone from seemingly nowhere, illuminating underbrush at random. A perfect sense of direction was perhaps the most craved skill residences learn to cherish.
Myrtlewing had lived–or was dead–for long enough to learn how to use his, and coupled with the overpowering smell, it wasn’t long before he came across a white and black tomcat.
The tom had been trembling worse than rocks down a cliff, mumbling something Myrtlewing couldn’t quite catch other than “dogs.” When he spotted Myrtlewing, he leaped out of his fur, pelt spiking up and eyes going wide. His breathing quickened. He was hyperventilating.
Myrtlewing watched him curiously. He hadn’t planned on attacking whoever he came across, merely to follow the scent and decide when he wanted to. He guessed that this was an apprentice, considering his skinnier frame and slightly smaller size. Too, he guessed that he had just arrived to the Place of No Stars, a reason for his freaking out, either because he was dead or in regret of his actions, as many did.
Myrtlewing wasn’t sure what it was. Perhaps it was because the tom looked young, perhaps it was because he made him think of Magpiepaw and how she was close to his age, or perhaps it was the mention of “dogs” that made him pause. After all, it was the manner in which he had his life taken from him. Had this young cat died the same way?
The tom hadn’t moved, too busy shaking like a leaf. Myrtlewing rolled his eyes in exasperation before padding closer. The tom shrank to the ground, unable to do more than flatten himself. Myrtlewing stopped beside him and lay down with him, not close enough to touch except for his tail, which he laid across the young cat’s shoulders.
After what felt like forever, the tom’s body moved in lower and lower breaths. He blinked at Myrtlewing in an expression that conveyed a mix of gratitude, fear, and confusion. Now that he felt better, Myrtlewing stood up to stretch. Then he began to walk away.
“Wait!” The tomcat took a step after him. But he seemed lost for words when Myrtlewing looked back at him. After a second, he managed to say, “I’m Stonepaw. Thanks for…what you did.”
Myrtlewing dipped his head. His pupils were pink. That was interesting. “Myrtlewing.”
“I don’t know where I am in this place,” Stonepaw told him, still a bit shaky.
“Why? Need to get to camp?” Myrtlewing asked humorously.
“I don’t….I don’t want to get lost.” He swallowed, as if already expecting denial. “Can I come with you?”
Myrtlewing stopped to consider it. It would make things interesting, and that is what he came all the way here for. He gestured for Stonepaw to follow him, imagining his poly’s reactions as they see that he brought another apprentice home.
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--MADE ALL IN ONE GO LET’S GO
--There is a moment of “he might be like me” which is partially why Myrtlewing is kind to him. He’s more inclined to like someone if they remind him of himself. It’s not love as “normal” people would see it, but he will come to love Stone (and all his kits and poly members) in his own strange way.
--Right now he’s not adopting Stone, just bringing him somewhere safe.
--I am curious of Stone’s and Magpie’s reactions when they see each other and are like “oh shit.”
--Stone’s personality might be a bit off here. But he’s also still a child, did just die, and did just end up in Hell, also right after killing a bunch of his Clanmates.
--You don’t see his wound cause I imagine it’s on the back of his head. I definitely didn’t forget it.
@ambitiousauthor