Chapter 8

Well, I was half in camp, or so I felt.

I was awake with the others surrounding me, but I felt as if I wasn't truely there, as if I still had a paw in Startribe.

"Fleck! You are okay!" Tawny squeaked like a kid.

"We have been so worried!" Snow whispered as she kissed me.

I narrowed my eyes and wrinkled my nose. Something wasn't right. I felt like I had opened my eyes for the first time.

I shrugged the feeling off and feebly stood up. My legs somewhat wobbled beneath me as if the weight was to much, but I kept hold.

Tawny nodded uncertaintly and helped me outside.

I saw a person on the clearing. He had large muscels, dark brown hair, yellow eyes and his hair was patchy, kind of sticking out all over the place.

Who is he? I pointed to him with my hand. Had he joined while I was away?

Tawny stared at me in confusion. "Why are you pointing at the wall?" She asked.

I gazed. Behind the person was a bramble wall. I shook my head.

There's a person for Startribe's sake!
The person appeared to notice him and slowly trotted foward. As he came closer, I saw the faint outline of yellow surrounding his feet like a yellow cloud.

"I can only be seen and heard by you." He whispered.

I nodded slowly. And who do you think you are? Showing up in my camp... why didn't the guards stop you.... they must have noticed you somehow.

He purred. "Do you not know who I am?"

I shook my head.

He sighed. "What do they fill your heads with these days? I am Ragged. The once great leader of Shadowtribe."

My eyes widened. I had heard one story about how he had been killed by his son, Broken.

"Yes, that was me. And now, you must heal yourself before you are lost forever. I will walk this camp for eternity and so does many others that you may see. Don't join us, save yourself." He turned and strolled out of camp.

I blinked, confused. I guess I will have to find another person to ask.

I trotted to were I saw a small gray and white haired man. His hair was some what patchy and his nose was running. Hello? I called.

He looked up. "Why, hello young Fleck. How is the prey running?"

Good. I came to ask you something.

His eyes gleamed. "Why, I would be glad to answer any of your questions."

First, you are obviously one of the ancestors that live in this camp. Why can I see you? Who are you? What do I need to do to fix myself?

He frowned. "Well, those are some very good questions... and I am afraid I can't answer some. I am Running, a healer from the time of Ragged who you have already seen. To fix yourself.." He paused to think. "You must seek the help of no person alone."

He then turned with a farewell nod and ran out of camp.

I growled. Let me try this one more time...

I saw two people sitting at the edge of the clearing. One was a thick haired, muscular, and large woman with a pure black skin and glaring green eyes. Beside her was a pure ginger man with electrical blue eyes.

Hello, who are you? I called, not wasting any time.

The black woman turned to me. "I am Shadow, the first leader of Shadowtribe." She whispered in a mysterious voice. The ginger haired man stared at me, his eyes felt like huge ice chunks crashing over me.

"I am Scorching, the father of Scorch and Petal. I died the day you opened your eyes, so you never knew me."

Shadow nodded. "He is the newest edition from Shadowtribe to Startribe. And I hope it remains that way for a while." She growled.

Scorching glared at me with his eyes, and something about them made me shudder. "What answers do you seek little kid?" He asked.

I want to know why I can see you and how I need to be fixed.

Shadow's eyes filled with wisdom. "Why, those are some mighty sensible questions little one. And seeing as you are one of my descendents, I may be able to spare you an answer."

I opened my mouth, but she covered it with her hand.

"First, you know why you can see us. You have a foot in two worlds, and it will only get worse until you die. In order to prevent that, we get to your next question. You must seek the help of a two legged creature in order to survive this bout. Or else, I am afraid you will be watching the camp with us." She sighed sadly.

Scorching snorted. Then, they stalked away, out of camp as well.

Fear welled in my chest. I was dying, I had to fix myself. A two legged creature, that can only mean one thing.... I thought in disgust.
The only way I would live, would be if I ditched the life of a tribal person.