Forbidden Shadows - Chapter Ten

Thud!

The cage was plopped right next to Stormcloud's. Those menacing, bright yellow eyes. Those sharpened fangs. That ruffled pelt. That figure of dignity, calling out for battle. It was Hawkscreech alright, and he was more angry than ever.

Right before the door had opened for the man bearing Hawkscreech's metal prison, Bluejay and Stormcloud were investigating the room for a way out. They couldn't make it out the door at night, for it was locked, and whenever the door was opened a beep sounded out to warn the scientist. He would wake up and catch them for sure. But then they had found the vent.

The vent was much like one you might have in your house - for air conditioning. Yet this one was just big enough for a cat to go through. They would use their claws to unscrew the vent's front, crawl through, and find the opening to the outside. They would climb out and run back into the city streets. Knowing New York City from top to bottom and edge to edge would help the cats find where they had exited. Running back to the plains to find the strays that had either kept traveling, died or camped out waiting for their leaders, they would then continue traveling.

Stormcloud and Bluejay were so excited about their plan that they didn't think about what Hawkscreech would do to spoil it all.

~12:10 A.M.~

Bluejay awoke to the sound of voices. Glancing dazedly and half-asleep at the clock, he saw it say 12:10. Based on the dark, inky black outside with no stars, he knew it was a cloudy night. Bluejay even saw the silhouette of the full moon against the clouds, giving off very dim light.

Turning his attention to the voices, Bluejay turned to his right. Stormcloud and Hawkscreech were quarreling just like back on the dumpster in the meeting alley. Bluejay shuddered. What was it now? Probably what it had been in the meeting alley, he guessed.

"Hawkscreech, if you don't shut up about that dream, I will stick my claws in your cage and rip off your tail! And I will gladly watch you as you scream in pain and watch your blood drip!"

I knew it. But now it's worse than before, Bluejay thought. "Both of you, stop! Now!" His voice rang out loud and clear, yet it didn't wake the scientist somehow.

Stormcloud turned her angry face towards Bluejay, but Bluejay knew her anger was for Hawkscreech, not himself. Hawkscreech turned as well towards the blue stray tom, but this time his anger was a gift for the both of them and Bluejay knew it. Their little trick to get the cats to come with them had gotten him angry enough, but now losing his cats as they panicked about on a field in the middle of nowhere? Now that was too much for Hawkscreech.

But the two omen-granted cats did not know Hawkscreech's secret. He knew those two cats were special. Everyone did now. They had shared a dream, and that was interesting. But the dream, the omen, was special. Very special. And Hawkscreech had always dreamed to be special since he was a kitten. He yearned for a place of honor and specialty so much, he conquered the leader and took the throne himself. He showed how fierce he was, and that atmosphere scared the cats into doing every order Hawkscreech told them to do.

Yet he had wanted more all the time. There had been millions of leaders. Hawkscreech still wanted to be a more powerful and special individual that was like no other. And he was determined to be one. But when he saw that two random non-special cats had become chosen ones to lead the cats away from danger, he didn't know what to do. He felt he had to deny their order. How was he to become special if others were exceeding his power now? His secret was jealousy. He had a lot of it.

Hawkscreech's envy was well hidden, however, and both of the chosen cats had no idea why the tom was so hostile.

As Bluejay was the one knowing how to open the cages, he was the first out that night. Next was Stormcloud. The cats stretched their legs and shook their pelts together. But they did not release Hawkscreech, for fear that he would attack them.

They headed to the vent to pry it open with their claws. Together, the two cats wrenched off the cover of the vent. Hawkscreech watched as they crept slowly into the tunnel to the outside. But that was not the only thing he'd watched. He had spied upon Bluejay's method to opening cages. Putting his paw on the lock, he realized it was easier than it looked. Soon there was a creak as Hawkscreech's cage door swung open. Hawkscreech was free.

And he was out for revenge.