Chapter 51: Closer

Chapter 51: Closer

Scarletpaw

     The thunderpath is a treacherous place.  Monsters zoom by everywhere, and more than once I've almost been hit by one veering off the path.  The heavy rain seems to make them speed out of control.  It's hard to go on, and if Blooddrop's life isn't at stake I would've given up long ago.  But knowing that he depends on me keeps me going forward. 
     I've never had to step up to something like this.  But I know I can do it.  For Blooddrop.  For Blooddrop.  For Blooddrop.  I keep repeating this in my head.
     For Blooddrop.  For Blooddrop.  For Blooddrop.  For Blooddrop. 
     At last, the thunderpath veers off in another direction, and the sky is clear that way.  And... I think I'm picking up his scent!  I can't help but let out a purr.
"I'm on my way, Blooddrop!" I shout.  I break into a run.  I can't help it, the scent is getting stronger! 
     After what seems like forever, I begin to see lots of lights and two-leg nests.  Big two-leg nests.  Wow!  Poor Blooddrop!  The scents are overwhelming, so much road kill and rotten fresh-kill!  In fact, their fresh-kill doesn't even smell like fresh-kill!  Those scents overwhelm Blooddrop's.  I let out a yowl of frustration.   So close, yet so far!  Why can't things ever be easy?!
"And what kind of life is that?  Do you want everything to be simple, Scarletpaw?"
"Jadepaw!" 
"It's alright, Scarletpaw.  I'll give you the courage you need.  Continue on your quest.  I believe in you, and so does Blooddrop!  Now get going girl!"
I listen to Jadepaw's words, and keep going in the direction the scent was.  But I still can't find his scent.  And the big two-leg nests are getting smaller and less frequent.  And then, I see a cat.
"Excuse me!" I shout to the cat.
"My food!  It isn't yours!  You can't have it!" the cat shouts back.
"I don't want it!" I explain.  "I just want to find my friend.  Do you know where he is?"
"I don't know your friend!  Just go away!"
"Please!  Do you have any clues!"
"No!  Just please leave me alone!"  I sigh.  Then I notice the cat is eating the two-leg junk.
"I can show you how to hunt for better food if you tell me how to find my friend.  Just one clue would help!"  The cat stops to think.
"Sure.  But show me first."
"Alright."  I lead the cat into the nearby forest. 
"Why are we here!?" the cat asks.
"I'm going to show you how to hunt food."
"Like mice!? No way!"  I grin at the cat.  Teaching him may take awhile, but in the end, it'll be a win-win situation.