Ocean Eyes/Five

"sit back in the chair

but some how I still get the chills"

- dental care ~

 oceansplash

A twinge of guilt fills me as I walk away from Starfish.

I really don't understand it - after all, this tom could turn out to be like the cats in her Clan.

Mean, rude, vicious, deceiving.

But something tells me that he's showing me - a complete stranger - who he really is.

It's nice to have that feeling - the feeling of being wanted.

Of being important and wanted.

I walk back to camp, silent on the autumn leaves as the moon starts to come up and illuminate everything silver.

I'm really hoping that every cat is asleep; I wish -

"Back are you, Ocean Eyes?" Stonestripe smirks at me, and I feel my blood freezing in anxiety.

"You should've known that we'd be waiting for you when you'd come back.

"I, uh -"

"Save it, Ocean Eyes. You should be happy that we're being lenient with you. Freak."

And suddenly, his claws are unsheathed and coming down. And I do absolutely nothing to stop him. I feel the blood starting to pour, and the sight of the red liquid makes me dizzy.

I know that I should go somewhere - but where?

Starfish pops into my mind, and I'm unable to hold back a grin.

"What's so funny, Ocean Eyes?" One of the cats in Stonestripe's pack says.

"Are you laughing about your sister's death?" I fight back the tears as I gather up my energy.

Stonestripe's claws have been shredding my pelt, and I see his claws come down again.

At the precise moment, I sprint away, letting my image of Starfish keep me going. I need to get out of here - this abuse can't go on forever.

And I know better than to ask Stonestripe to stop - that's like asking the moon not to rise each night.

"Starfish! Starfish?" I call out when I catch his scent trail.

Looking behind me, I see Stonestripe following me viscously.

"Starfish!" I wail.

"Oceansplash?" Starfish seemed to be in a tree, and he's down at once, his lovely amber gaze wide and concerned.

"Starfish, we need to leave." I say, glancing behind me again. Stonestripe and his band are getting closer by the second.

Starfish notices them. Then he smirks - an expression that I thought impossible by his features - and waves his tail.

"I'll finish them off for you, Oceansplash. Trust me." Starfish winks before running towards them, and I can't help but feel as if a bit of myself has gone with him.

"i feel like he could help me"