Alone

Twenty

Everyone stepped back as a harsh growl sounded from the dirt cave. The noise echoed through the woods, and Dart felt her fur bristle. She felt frozen in place as a large fox emerged from the shadows, staring all the cats down.
It's okay. It's just one. Dart tried to think rationally, but any and all reason was out of the picture when two more foxes became visible. Everyone was perfectly still, frozen with fear just as Dart was. Finally, Rusty snapped out of the daze.
"I'm not afraid of a couple of overgrown puppies." He hissed. Rusty took a confident step forwards, and the clearing exploded into action. One fox leapt at Rusty, who faced it head on. Another went for Mitten, snarling and baring its teeth. Dart barely had time to register Petal lunging for it before she was thrown to the ground. Dart flipped around, blindly slashing above her. A surprised yip came from over her, and wet drops of blood splattered Dart's cheek. She continued slashing, fear taking hold of her and not letting go. Suddenly, the weight of the fox was taken off her. Dart opened her eyes to see Benny on top of the fox, trying to pin it to the ground. It didn't last long, and Benny was knocked away with a vicious paw swipe from the fox. He skidded on the ground, and Dart ran towards him. She reached Benny's side and frantically nudged him.
"Benny! Get up!" She said, trying to keep her voice steady. Benny's eyes opened, and he groaned. Dart noticed a long slash across his cheek that was dripping blood. She quickly pressed her paw to it, trying to stop the stream of red liquid from escaping his body.
"You okay?" She asked. Benny nodded, and Dart removed her paw. She stepped back so Benny could stand, and was struck by a massive weight. She hit the earth, pain blurring her senses. She could hear growls above her, and twisted underneath the body of the animal producing the sounds. She felt sharp claws shred her ear, and the pain came back. She tried to slash at her foe, but couldn't seem to hit it. It was hauled off her a moment later however, and Dart scrambled to her feet. She shook her head to try and clear the pain before gazing forwards. She saw Twist and Benny both slashing at the fox they had saved her from. Dart ran forward, slashing at the fox as well. It made a whimpering noise and kicked out with its legs, sending Twist flying. Dart ran from the fox's side, instead coming beside her sister's.
"Twist?!" She meowed frantically. Twist struggled to her feet, stumbling as she did so. Dart helped support her, and soon they were back in the fight. Benny hadn't been overpowered by the fox yet, but he was struggling to keep it away. A new urgency lit in Twist's eyes, and she limped towards him as fast as she could. Dart followed, jumping and trying to bring the fox to the ground. It yowled in surprise, but only stumbled. Dart backed way as its beady eyes turned to her. It looked at her with such rage, and such hunger. Dart felt like its eyes were piercing into her, ridding her of every emotion except fear. She felt trapped in its gaze, but it all ended when someone yowled.
"Hey! Over here!" Twist yelled at the top of her lungs. The fox swivelled its head and stalked towards her. Benny was right beside Twist, his eyes glittering with a fierce protectiveness. He caught Dart's eye and gave her a nod, reassuring her that they could handle the fox. Dart nodded back and turned to the others. Puff and Rusty were fighting one fox, slashing with an intense anger. Petal, Mitten, and Puck were taking on the other. Puck had a long cut along her side, and Petal seemed to be trying to keep her as far away from the fox as possible. She was hissing and slashing at the fox, right by Mitten's side. Suddenly, the fox's outstretched paw caught Mitten and threw her to the ground. Petal's focus slipped, and she turned to Mitten. The fox slashed out again, knocking Petal to the ground beside Mitten. It turned to Puck, and Dart sprang into action. She tackled the fox, trying to send it to the ground. She didn't knock it over, but was able to latch onto its back. She held on, baring her teeth and biting the fox's back and neck. The fox growled and shook viciously, trying to dislodge its attacker. Dart flew off of the beast and landed on the ground, winded. Luckily, her attack had given Petal and Mitten enough time to get back up. They attacked the fox again, driving it back with harsh slashes. Dart stood up gingerly, wincing as pain shot through her hind leg. A cut ran across it, but didn't look too major. She turned back to the rest of the cats, searching for anyone who needed help. Puff and Rusty still seemed fine, but had more wounds. The fox they were attacking yipped as Puff slashed its muzzle. It staggered and started to run away, but the two persisted. Puff, her white coat now caked in blood, ran after the fox, followed by Rusty. Dart assumed they could handle themselves, and turned to Benny and Twist. They were still fighting bravely, but the fox was more persistent. She was about to run and help them when Puck screamed behind her. Dart whipped around, seeing Puck pinned by the fox. It was drooling over her, wet drops of slobber dotting her cheek. Mitten and Petal were running to help her, but Dart was closer. Without thinking, she launched herself at the fox. It was taken by surprise, and she was able to knock it to the ground. The fox slashed at her with sharp claws, but only landed a single blow. Dart staggered back, a new wound opening on her shoulder. The pain was incredible, but she couldn't stop to assess the damage. Not now. She slashed at the fox, landing a few blows. Suddenly, Mitten and Petal leapt on top of the beast. It yelped and flailed its paws, but the duo was able to keep it down. Dart turned to Benny and Twist once more, and terror shot through her when she saw their conditions. Benny seemed to be knocked unconscious, laying on the ground a few feet away from Twist. The fox was slowly stalking towards her, growling hungrily. Twist couldn't back away much longer, as a thick bramble bush blocked her path. Dart felt a fear more intense than she had ever felt before. She had to do something. She had to save her sister.

...

Twist felt frozen under the intense glare of the fox. It ran its tongue along its jaw, looking ready to devour her. Twist squeezed her eyes shut, ready to meet her death. There was a long pause, and the fox's growls were suddenly cut off. Twist opened her eyes, shocked to see Dart swiping at the fox with all her might. A fierce energy burned in her eyes, and she looked like she could fight forever. Twist knew she couldn't. She knew she should help. She knew she should do something. But she felt frozen. Dart raked her claws across the fox's muzzle, scattering blood droplets everywhere. Some splattered Twist's nose, and she suddenly felt like she could move again. Twist limped towards the fox as fast as she could, hissing and baring her claws. She tried to slash at the fox, but it was quicker. It knocked Twist away with a single paw swipe. She skidded across the ground, coming to a stop next to a tree. Twist quickly opened her eyes, prepared to attack once more. Dart looked at Twist at the same moment, fear for her sister clear in her eyes. Horror shot through Twist as she realized several things at once. Dart's attention had slipped. The fox was preparing to swing at her. Petal and Mitten were running towards her. They weren't fast enough. Time seemed to slow down as the fox brought its paw down. Its sharp claws ripped through Dart's neck. Blood flew everywhere. Twist screamed as her sister hit the ground. She didn't care about anything else. Dart was all she could see. Twist ran to her sister's side, sliding to the ground beside her. Dart's breaths were ragged, and Twist felt a new horror dawn in her. Blood spilled from Dart's neck, staining her fur. It was too much blood. Twist pressed her paws to Dart's neck, trying desperately to stop the flow of it. Dart reached a shaky paw up and rested it on top of Twist's. She smiled, the effort of doing so clear in her eyes.
"Dart, please..." Twist said shakily. Dart let out a strained laugh that broke into an even more strained cough. Twist watched as blood droplets flew from her sister's mouth. This was really happening.
"Do you remember what we do when we're sad?" Dart croaked. Twist inhaled, tears falling from her eyes.
"Yes." She said quietly. Dart smiled, looking into her sister's eyes, and started to sing.
"When the world turns upside down, it doesn't mean it's over." She began. "When everything changes, it doesn't mean the end is closer. We are together, and that's what matters. The world will keep spinning, despite the hazards. We can make it, don't be afraid..." Dart's voice faded, her eyes dulling. Twist felt tears fall from her eyes as she looked at what had once been her sister. She couldn't comprehend it. Dart wasn't gone. She couldn't be. Twist closed her eyes and softly sang to her sister.
"We'll stick together, 'cause that's how we're made."