Crowpaw's Calling
Chapter 1: Leaving Home
Crowpaw didn't like what he was about to do, but he felt as if he didn't have any other choice. How could he stay in a Clan that... that hurt him to the point he felt so miserable being around everyone? He felt like an elder. A grumpy, tired of everyone and their crap, unable to partake in the regular duties of the Clan, elder. The young tom didn't even know if he'd be missed, but he couldn't just sit around forever waiting for life to get better when he couldn't even be comfortable in his own pelt, feeling like he was judged every day of his life for what he was innocent of.
Without much of a thought running through that brain of his, Crowpaw rose to his paws and padded out into the dark and empty clearing. The hot weather was not something he would ever be fond of, but at least he'd be cooler out in the forest alone with nothing but his own thoughts to accompany him instead of the hot pelts of warriors he hardly knew. It was sad, really. You'd think having been born and raised in ThunderClan, he'd know everyone. But after having gone through everything with Thrushstar and Quailfur, everything about the Clan changed. Perhaps he just got to see the real ThunderClan for the first time.
His paws led him to the fresh-kill pile. Bumblestar and Alderstep both would definitely be unhappy to find out five pieces of food mysteriously disappeared, but he wouldn't be around to carry the burden of a punishment. With his food in tow, Crowpaw took one final glance at his home and grimaced.
Thank you for nothing, ThunderClan. With that final thought, the young tom hurried off and ran as long as he could before taking a break at Willow's Rise, where Quietpaw's gravesite was.
He set down the pieces of prey in his mouth and touched his nose to the grave, whispering,
"I won't go far. I won't even stray far from the territory. I'll stay right next to it."
Giving a nod, satisfied with his words, he picked up his food once more and rushed out of ThunderClan territory, toward the outskirts. Toward the unfamiliar territory that he would remain in until he felt like it. It was weird... the sound of being his own boss. Never before had he done anything remotely on his own. It was always having to do something the leader, deputy, or even a warrior wanted.
This is either one of the best or one of the worst decisions in my life.
Crowpaw's Calling
