Chapter 45: Alone

Chapter 45: Alone

Flamestar

     "How could you Flamestar! How could you!?" Scarstorm is screaming at me.  "That's it! You're left without a deputy!"
"Scarstorm, please!" I plead.
"What's going on?" Pantherclaw asks loudly.  Several warriors pop out from dens.
"Flamestar hurt Grayfur, and a twoleg picked her up in a monster!"
"What?" Pantherclaw stares straight at me.
"Umm..." I begin.
"Is that true, Flamestar?" Redvine asks.  All eyes set on me.
I slowly hang my head. "Yes," I say quietly.
All is silent in BlazeClan camp.
"That's it," Scarstorm says. "I'm leaving.  All are free to follow me."
Scarstorm turns around. "You're a traitor if you stay," she says.
Surely someone will stay!  But I'm wrong.  Every single cat left in BlazeClan follows Scarstorm.  I want to scream at them, but no words come out.  There's no kits playing mossball, no apprentices training, no warriors returning from patrols.  The camp is oddly silent.
"They're stupid not to stay with you.  Complete mousebrains." Mapleleaf says from behind.
"I... but... they're all gone..." That's all I can manage to say.
"You did the right thing.  Have faith in me, Flamestar.  I know what's best for you.  They will come crawling back soon.  Don't you worry."
"I guess I can only believe you.  That's all I have left.  No cheery Grayfur always looking on the bright side.  No loving Darkfeather to comfort.  Nor any Thornclaw to ensure a full fresh-kill pile.  And certainly no Sharpfang to be with me."  I didn't mean to say that.
"Do you want to be a good leader or not?" Mapleleaf growls.
"Yes!"
"Then stop being soft!"  Mapleleaf vanishes as usual.
I sigh. Well, I guess I'm on my own from now on.  I guess I had better hunt.  As I start to walk off to the woods, a familiar voice startles me.
"Flamestar?  I'm still here.  I'm loyal to you."  Raventail says.
"Raventail!" I run over purring.  "Thank you!"
"No problem," Raventail says.
Turns out I'm not completely alone after all.