Cracked Stone

Season One, Episode Two of Falling by Yellow.

Last Episode: Rain, Fog and Mist

It was like the world was falling. Rain was beside me, her lilac-point fur slicked to the bone. We're almost identical, her and I, to our mother. Fog is the odd one out. I assume he takes after our unknown father.

But this was about our mother: the heap of blood-soaked fur slumped on the ground. Her hind leg was wrenched up into an unnatural position. Her jaws were gaping in a soundless scream. The rain was beginning to wash away the blood, leaving our mother sprawled in a wet, lilac-point, heap. A lump in my throat threatened to swallow me up but I kept still and silent. I could see tears- or was that water- streaking down Rain's face. But she too was quiet.

"How did this happen?" Fog asked us dully, his eyes full of pain.

"I don't know," I say shakily. And I don't. But I think a cat did this- I know a cat did this. Murdered out mother. Left us orphaned.

Rain speaks up, but she has a quiver in her voice, "We need to find out who did this," she whispers.

"I know," I say quietly, "But first we need to take care of ourselves."

Rain stares at me, but then nods, "Okay."

"Let's go," Fog says, his eyes stronger, "Let's find something to eat."

"We can't hunt!" Rain protests, "We're only five months old!"

Fog meets her gaze steadily, "Who said we're hunting?"

I gulp, disgust sending shivers down my spine, "You mean rot-food? Or house-cat slop?"

Fog shifts, "Yeah. Something like that."

Rain growls quietly, "Yuck. You can't expect us to eat that!"

"We have to take what we can get," I tell her, "If we want to survive."

Rain lets out another growl that sounds like, 'Fine' and follows us as we leave mother's body and pad out into the drenching rain. We're soaked to the bone, but none of us care. Fog shows us a mostly dry, sheltered clearing that he says he found with mother a few days ago. We cautiously pad inside, flinching when occasional drops of water hit our pelt's.

A human-path is leading out from the clearing, and a human object called a 'bin' is standing next to it.

"Hey," I realize, "Mother showed us bins before. We can find food in them!"

Rain looks disgusted, "Yuck."

Fog sighs, "I guess. Let's see?"

I clamber around to the in and survey my options. I could try and jump to the top, but I would probably fail and hurt myself. I could ask Rain or Fog for a boost- but that might get us all hurt.

"Need help?" A deep voice asks. I spin around, defensively stiffening my legs. A black, sleek cat was watching us from behind, his yellow eyes glowing. I hiss, but it comes out as a cough.

"I won't hurt you," he says quietly and slowly, "It looks like you're rather stuck."

"Yes," Fog growls, "But we don't need your help."

"You do. Of course you do," the cat smiles, "My name is Stone."

"Hello," Rain's eyes are narrowed. She's being careful.

"Okay," I meow loudly, "How can you help us?"

"I could hurt for you," he offers, "Could you explain where your parents are?"

I begin to feel like a cornered rat, "Our mother is dead. We found her a few minutes ago. And our father left before our kitting."

Stone blinks slowly, "Okay. Show me your mother: we should have a proper burial."

Fog relaxes, "Okay."

Rain and I are more reluctant, but we can tell he means no harm. We lead him to our dead mother.

He stands over her and something changes in his eyes, "Who is she?"

"Her name is Cloud," I tell him, suspicious.

He gasps softly, "I know her. Or, knew her."