Darkness swallowed the call of rage and licked its lips with its black tongue. Embracing the room with coldness, it glanced around the room with pride and satisfaction. The pale moonlight who tried to break in and offered comfort was chased away, same for the curious stars who were peeking from the far end of the windowsill.

   Leaning against the cage was a monster. His sharp claws left cuts on the white and innocent wall, leaving the wall with the wail of silence. His yellow eyes were as narrow as lines that were hardly visible. But from the narrow lines, daggers were shot to everyone who stared. Bright red rage boiled like a pot of poison inside his pelt. The wind stirred the poison slowly, making the bubbles peek out of the yellowish-green with evil grins. Red was steaming out of his claws but he did not wince at all.

   He felt numb. He had been hurt. He was pushed into the fire and there, he rose.

   Let the pain come... he commanded, go ahead... I am ready for them, ready for whatever challenges that await...

   Watching the blood dripping with a feeling that could not be explained, he painted the white wall and silvery lines red. He swallowed down the frustration that stirred inside him. Calm down... he demanded, calm down...

   Standing up with the last of his energy, he stared determinedly with courage at the place where dreams would come true. The place where the flowers grew, the animals danced, the happiness lived. The place where he belonged was beautiful. The sky was crayoned with blue with white gaps that the child failed to colour. He could feel his mother licked him gently as she encouraged, "Son, you can do it, you can!"

   Adrenaline coursed through his veins. He quickened his pace until steps became leaps. The sun nodded with pride from the sky above. The breeze ran along with him as it clapped and cheered with joy. The grass under his feet massaged his sore paws gently and waved from the far end, dancing beautifully along with the wind. His yellow eyes sparkled with demandingness. Ignoring the pain on his paws, he darted past blue, green and brown, leaving bloody pawprints behind on the ground.

   Colours were mixed together like paints. Stepping into the mix of colours, the flashes of colours blinded his vision.

   "You cannot do it, don't dream..." A whisper played with him inside his head.

    It was time for him to show that he could. Because he could.

    "Chipmunk...?"

    He was dragged back to the darkness as the call stirred in his nightmare. Eyes narrowed with annoyance, he commanded with impatience, "Leave me alone."

    "I-" The shadow came nearer as the pair of green eyes shone in the darkness. The brown tabby threw himself against the cage as a loud BANG echoed in the silent night. He dreamed of running free, running wild, but now, a cage would always be where he belonged.

    The cage laughed harshly as the silvery lines winked mischievously. Chipmunk tried not to throw himself against its silvery teeth and make it crooked. Giving a treat of calmness to the beast, it sat down silently and wagged its tail.

    The brown tabby masked a smile on his face as he interrupted, "Stop wasting time giving me pep talk, Cheese-It," he spat the name as if it was the most disgusting thing in the history of the most disgusting things, "See? Perfect living place for me."

    He lay down in the cramped place with his tail wrapping around his neck. His smile showed how he loved here, how he desired a paradise like this, how he enjoyed being the sole owner of the silvery mansion.

    But his narrowed eyes showed the burning rage within him, the beast roaring under his mask. The sharp claws left cuts in his heart, bleeding and torn.

    The spark of warm silver in Cheese-It's eyes could see through his well-designed mask. The helpless soul who tried to be strong. Tried not to be hurt. Tried to put down the past and stop caring.

    But he could not.

    The silhouette spoke, filling the room with warmth, "I know, and I am here to let you go."

    "Let me go-" The cage screamed as sharp claws cut through it, red shining under the pale moonlight. He took a deep breath as his shout chased the stars away, "so I can step into another trap again?"

    "No- I am sorry..." Cheese-It's voice was swallowed by the darkness. Chipmunk snored loudly and snapped, "sorry? Can 'sorry' mend the mistakes that was made in the past? Or is it a way to offer comfort to those who are already hurt?"

    Cheese-It glanced at the ground and her tail twitched in an odd angle. Looking at the windowsill, she told a deep breath. Looking directly into Chipmunk's dangerous yellow eyes, she spoke firmly, "It is time for the truth."

    The beast calmed once the words had reached its ears. It closed its eyes and dozed off into a peaceful sleep. However, Chipmunk's eyes widened as he sat in the cage quietly. Truth sounded like a luxury to him, a dream that he wished to come true.

   Seeing her words had caught the brown tabby's attention, she hid the smile and cleared her throat. In the attic under the pale moonlight, she started, "This story started with a promise..."

    Hearing a faint talking voice from deep down below, the ginger pelted she-cat travelled through the quiet hallway. The quiet rain slid down from the huge transparent slide and left tiny droplets behind. Cheese-It wondered through the empty and dusty path, her paws brushed the dust softly. Her green eyes shone in the dark like a pair of torches. Sniffing at the familiar scene, she climbed down the stairs quickly and slipped into the shadow.

    She spotted a door with a golden label that was covered with a thin layer of dust. The sounds echoed in the doorway as she studied the door made of metal with curiosity.

    "I have a cat here, perfect."

    Peeking from the crack of the door, nothing but huge machines met her first gaze in the dim lit room. No a single sound broke the thick layer of silence. The familiar voice bounced on the wall and floated in the air. It reached Cheese-It's ears and played with her, "You need it for project Foxtail? Sure. I do not like cats anyway."

    Grumpy.

    There were lights, but like the stars in the night sky, they did little to lift the darkness, showing the colourful liquid in some transparent cups. They were shook and poured into another triangular container. The liquid danced in the cup, calling Cheese-It to drink a drop, feeling the droplet dancing on her tongue and the sweetness coating her mouth.

    The ginger she-cat shook the thought away. Focusing on the blinding light and the purple smoke that filled the room suddenly, Cheese-It took the chance and sneaked into the mysterious room. Choking on the smoke and travelling in the room with clouded vision, she bumped into the desk hard.

    A loud bang cut through the sky and left a scar as stars were spinning in Cheese-It's mind. Feeling a figure walking closer to her, she flinched as fear stabbed her heart. She could feel nothing but blind terror. The footsteps became louder, echoing in the silent night. The smoke wrapped around her as a burst of high-pitched laughter could be heard. The place was too silent, the night was not disturbed by this small room.

    The footstep came closer and dread twisted in her gut. Looking at the wall she was facing, a huge shadow with sharp claws could be seen, with uncomfortable purple light glowing. She was icy with panic, as if she had just come out of the refrigerator after staying there for a long time.

    Terror gripped her throat and tried to pull her apart as she was lifted into the mid-air by a pair of hands. The she-cat let out a soft gasp as long fingernails were dug into her pelt. Her eyes focused on the white sleeves of the white cloak, breathing in the smell of the weed and trying not to wince. She was weighed down by dread. The wave of fear crashed through her as she struggled to get out of Grumpy's grip.

    He was going to kill her.

    Her paws waving without control, she broke out of his grip and darted in the dark room. Bottles were knocked over and glasses cut Cheese-It's paws. Sliding on the wet table, she fell from the table and hit the hard metal with a loud 'clunk'.

   Birds flying in her head, her movement came to a stop as the shadow fell over her. Picking her out carefully and locking her in a cage, Grumpy wiped his forehead with his blood-red sleeve. Switching on the light, Cheese-It glanced at the human in front of her with a mix of emotions that she could not explain.

    Grumpy's eyes narrowed as his bloodshot eyes studied Cheese-It. He scowled his forehead that was sprayed with red like blood. Murmuring colourful words under his breath, he lit a weed. The smoke soon filled the room and strugled to break in Cheese-It's lungs. Putting it into his mouth, he picked up his phone that was knocked on the ground.

    "Hello?"

    Cheese-It's eyes were pointy as she concentrated hard on the conversation. She knew something was wrong. Her claws brushed through the cage hopelessly, painting red over the silvery material.

    "What happened there?"

    "Just the ginger cat messing around. What did you just say before?"

    "I hope the operation can be carried out in a year, when the brown cat grows up. You really have no intention in keeping him? You know that he will not make it out alive."

   Without hesitating, Grumpy shot a dangerous glance at Cheese-It and replied, "Yes."

   The ginger she-cat knew enough. The colour drained from her face as she was frantic with fear. Fear made its way to the throat, gripping it tight. Her body was paralyzed by terror and she was at a loss for words.

   Glancing at her owner standing in front of her, she swallowed and listened.

   "Well, then, you will have a pay raise for this. I will be waiting for your report."

   His blonde hair fell messily on his head as his black-shaped glasses camouflaged the evilness that he had always had. The pair of glasses fell upon his straight nose that shaped like a knife under the sharp white light. He chuckled as he put his phone aside.

   Turning to Cheese-It, he smiled. Not the type that brought you warmth, but the type that sent shivers down from your spine. 

   He chuckled again, his yellow teeth showing. Kneeling down to Cheese-It's eye level, he hissed, "Well, you have already known much. Now, here is a deal. Keep an eye over Chipmunk and I will give you extra food every day. Or you will be the one to replace him."

   No... Cheese-It screamed inside her head, can't both of our lives be kept...?

   She desperately wanted to ask this question. Why? Why would that happen? What was the project about?

   She mewed and Grumpy smiled, his blood-shot eyes haunted her dreams.

   "Wise choice, Cheese-It. Do or die, then," Grumpy whispered, "You better keep your promise or you will be the one."

   "Then?" Chipmunk asked with a shiver. He could not stop the shadow that was stirring inside him. The shadow grew bigger and bigger until it was part of him.

   "Why am I here at the first place? I would have been better without staying here, under the same roof with a mad human." He added.

   Cheese-It smiled, a broken smile, "This is a promise that I have made. A queen in PeakClan called Shellsplash asked me to take you in, and I did. Now, shall I continue?"

   A quiet whistle rang in the empty house as Cheese-It climbed up the stairs slowly. Grumpy was calling for her. Her stomach had been emptied for days as she tried not to fall. He was smoking another weed with smoke wondering around the house and glancing at Cheese-It with curious eyes. Grumpy opened a can quickly as he pushed it forward in front of Cheese-It.

   The can showed its best grin at Cheese-It as she could not help but licking her lips. She remembered the lingering taste of fish in her mouth, the taste that she could not have from eating prey.

   Looking up with her mouth watered, her eyes was connected with Grumpy's ice blue eyes, his eyes encouraged her to take a bite, enjoying herself in the wonderland of cat food. Glancing at Grumpy cautiously, she felt the can being pulled away from her. Her tongue was cut by the sharp metal as her mouth watered. Looking at the huge smile of the can, Cheese-It's paws shot out and tried to reach for her dream.

   Grumpy smiled as his eyes winked. He said, "Chipmunk is on the balcony talking to a weird-looking cat. After I capture him, make sure he stays in the cage until it is time for the operation. Clear?"

   Without waiting for Cheese-It's response, he raced upstairs, leaving Cheese-It with hunger.

   "Chipmunk, you are very important to PeakClan. You are the only one who can solve the mess, according to the prophecy." The pair of green eyes shone in the dark.

   Chipmunk stared at her with disbelief. Seeing Chipmunk's expression, she added, "I will explain it later if I can. But first, let me help you out."

   Stuffing her sharp claw gently into the huge lock, she unlocked the cage silently. Chipmunk stretched his paws as he tried to feel the coolness on his paws. His paws were aching with pain and under the faint moonlight, red was shining on dark brown.

   Cheese-It paddled closer to the door and called for Chipmunk, "Let me lead you out of here."

   Chipmunk narrowed his eyes as the beast was woken. He stopped Cheese-It and asked, "Are you trying to lead me to a trap again?"

   "No-" Cheese-It denied, "I am sorry for what I have done, and I am trying to make things right for once."

   The brown tabby stared at the she-cat with thousand thoughts spinning in his head. He still had a lot of questions. This might be the only chance to know about his life, why he was here at the first place.

   Why he had connections with a mysterious clan.

   Why he ended up in tears and with broken hearts every time. Under his smile, it was the shadow that wished to break free, the home to all secrets. Under his yellow eyes, there were the tears that were shred, once and twice.

   Breaking the silence, Cheese-It mewed, "Let's go."

   Pushing the door quietly, Chipmunk stepped outside the room as fresh air gave him a tight embrace. Breathing in the refreshing air, a grin appeared on the tom's face. Turning around and watching Cheese-It closing the door as quiet as possible, he asked quietly, "What are we going to do now?"

   He noticed how thin Cheese-It was under the moonlight that sneaked into the hallway from the window. The bones on her back were clearly visible as her face showed a tired smile. She mewed softly, "Let me lead you out of here."

   "What about you?"

   "I will be fine."

   From her firm answer, Chipmunk saw no possibility of changing her mind. He had a lot of things that he wished to say, but he could not bring himself to tell her. Paddling down the stairs in silence, Chipmunk felt something crashing into him.

   Hearing the loud smash and eyes widened with terror, Cheese-It turned back and dragged him down the stairs. He tried to find the urge to move, but his heart was aching hard and fear had paralyzed him completely. Dragging himself on his paws, Cheese-It led him into a complex maze of stairs in the darkness.

    Loud cursing resounded in the hallway and footsteps could be heard. Chipmunk could not feel his paws anymore. Pressing his paws hard on the wooden floor, the floor was sticky. Wildfire burnt under his pelt as he clenched his jaw. The pain slowly crawled up from his paws and made its way up to his body.

   Seeing Chipmunk move slower and slower, Cheese-It turned back immediately and dashed to Chipmunk. Her pointy ears twitched. Footsteps grew louder and louder as they embedded in Chipmunk's nightmare.

   Under the stars watching from the window, a tall, shadowy figure could be seen. Something was clenched tightly in his hand, the two cats' eyes widened as it shone with an evil grin.

   A gun.

   Fear crashed him entirely like a strong wave, trying to swallow Chipmunk alive. But it was not the time for breaking though, it was the time to be calm and escape.

   "Chipmunk, go, leave me behind." The sound broke the silence.

   Chipmunk turned to the cat beside her with disbelief. His ears must have deceived the message. Cheese-It's eyes were tired but full of determination. A fire was burning inside her. It led her to the right way, and it was the only chance to make it right.

   "What did you just say?"

   "Leave me behind."

    Her hiss was low as she used all her energy to push Chipmunk forward. Even though the she-cat remained in silence, Chipmunk could see tears shimmering in her eyes.

    Please... her eyes begged, please... fulfil my wish... finally, I can make it right...

   Chipmunk looked at the cat in front of her, the she-cat who was always here when he needed someone. His eyes shifted to the side again and became glazed with a glassy layer of tears. He clenched his jaw tightly in attempt to hide any sound that wanted to escape from his mouth. It was not the time for crying... a voice called, it was not...

   His mouth quivered as words slowly made their way out of his mouth. There were so many things that he wanted to say. So many things that he wanted to do. Yet, it was too late.

   "I-" He began, but it was cut off by Cheese-It, "Go, go now."

   The footsteps have become louder and louder. The ginger she-cat collapsed on the hallway weakly as she was finding her breath. Chipmunk was frozen at his spot as he stared at the she-cat who he spent the days with, nothing comes squeezing out of his mouth.

   Her voice becoming shallow, she ordered, "GO!"

   Hearing the call, the brown tabby took one last look at the shadow as he raced out of the hallway. He wanted to stop and look back, but he could not bring himself too. His upper body was as still as a statue while the magnitude of his loss swept over him.

   The hopeless was growing in his mind like a seed. Constantly watering it with tears, it grew and grew, until its brown leaves touched his heart and wrapped his heart into a tight embrace. Tying his heart tightly, he found it hard to breathe.

   Where was him?

   Racing into the darkness of the street, silence embraced him and greeted him silently. Without looking back and knowing where he was heading, the hard concrete cut his paws again and again like knives.

   His heart was bleeding. The cuts and scars were revealed. Countless cuts were made in his heart. They sank their teeth into his heart and made him wince.

   There would never be a cure.

   BANG!

   The sound of the gunshot cut through the blanket of silence. Then, everything was as peaceful as it already was...

   He never looked back.