Trapped in Crime

## Note:

This is for Splatamy’s Winter Tournament. Enjoy!

 “Out, now! We all know what you did!” Cottonstar spluttered, filled with rage. “We know you committed the murder!”

     “Of course I didn’t! Some cat framed me!” Mistlefrost protested. “I had no reason to kill Applewood!”

      Mistlefrost’s Clanmates only glared at her in disgust. Even her own apprentice, Ashenpaw, was clearly disappointed in her. It just wasn’t fair! Some cat in MapleClan was a traitor; Mistlefrost knew it wasn’t her. The only evidence against her was her own tortoiseshell fur in Applewood’s claws at the scene, even though Mistlefrost hadn’t been anywhere near Applewood when he was thought to be killed.

     “She’s a dirty, lying, no-good piece of crow-food!” Windsong screeched, his light gray fur bristling. “Mistlefrost murdered my kit and she deserves to be punished!”

     “I agree.” Cottonstar spoke again, only slightly calmer. “No bad deed goes unpunished.” The leader leapt down from the boulder and stood nose to nose with Mistlefrost. “As leader of MapleClan, I hereby ban you!”

     Many cheers overwhelmed Mistlefrost’s ears. “Send her away!” Dovetail hissed.

     “She doesn’t deserve a place in MapleClan!” Falconpaw spoke up, defending her mentor.

     Mistlefrost shook her head desperately. “It wasn’t me!”

     “Get out, Mistlefrost!” Cottonstar yelped. “And never return!”

     Frightened, Mistlefrost shrunk into her multicolor pelt. Her eyes darted in all directions. Windsong was still glaring at her, like she was some cold-hearted snake and Ashenpaw looked even more terrified. Every cat looked revolted at the sight of her. Mistlefrost turned on her tail immediately and pelted out of the camp, the only place she’d ever called home. *It’s not fair!*

~

     Trudging through the deep snow in the silent night, Mistlefrost began thinking long and hard about who had been Applewood’s real murderer. Nothing made sense! Applewood used to be a well-liked cat. He had a mate, Pineberry, and two kits. Leatherpaw and Slatepaw were always well-behaved apprentices. Why would any cat want to kill Applewood?

     Mistlefrost shook her pelt out to get rid of the new snowflakes that landed softly on her. She looked up at the white scenery, wondering helplessly how she would ever live now. This snow-covered forest couldn’t keep Mistlefrost safe forever. There were dangers out there that should be feared as much as all the cats in the Dark Forest. Besides, leaf-bare wasn’t exactly any cat’s strong suit; what could she do?

     Suddenly, Mistlefrost heard a dark, eerie sound that made her fur prickle. Alarmed, she glanced around frantically for cover and dove into the nearest holly bush. The brittle leaves scratched at her fur but the she-cat forced herself to remain silent, just in case. *Oh no! What do I do?*

     The sound occurred again and Mistlefrost shrunk farther into the bush. Peering through the dark, spiky leaves and holly berries above her, she saw a large figure circling above her. It was weaving in and out between the branches of snowy trees. *Of course, it’s just an owl.* Mistlefrost thought, feeling foolish and embarrassed as she watched the creature glide. Except she didn’t need to feel embarrassed about anything; what could have seen her? A squirrel? No cat was with her now, which made Mistlefrost feel even more lonely.

     Flustered, Mistlefrost was just about to pick her way out of her uncomfortable hiding spot when movement directly in front of her caught her eye. *I stand corrected. I guess I’m not alone.* Squinting, the she-cat was able to make out the silhouette of another cat, who was balancing on top of a wiry fence that looked like it could snap at any moment. *Am I already near the Twolegplace? Have I really trekked that far?* Perhaps Mistlefrost was so focused on trying to unravel the mystery of Applewood, that she completely lost track of where she was even heading.

     Deciding to take a risk, Mistlefrost slowly crawled out of her holly bush. This was another fellow cat. Maybe they could help her? She was in a tight place at the moment and she could use an extra paw.

     “H—Hello?” Mistlefrost called out to the peculiar stranger on the fence.

     The cat whipped their head around faster than unsheathing claws. “Who’s there?” They called out dangerously.

     From the sound of their voice, Mistlefrost assumed the cat was a tom. “I come in peace. Can you help me, please?” She meowed, trying not to sound small and unintelligent.

     The strange cat sprung off his perch and landed on the snow-flecked moss soundlessly below. Mistlefrost was beginning to doubt herself. *I could be making enemies!* Yet she forced herself to stand tall and look at least a little intimidating.

     “You ask for help?” The tom repeated, making his way over to where Mistlefrost was standing, chilled to the bone with her paws in the snow.

     “Yes. I—I’m on a new path now, and I’m looking for some… I guess you could say, allies.” Mistlefrost briefly explained, hoping that the tom would accept her invitation.

     It was true. It was obvious that she wasn’t going back to MapleClan and finding some other cats to shelter *with could be a start. I’ve got to do something, otherwise I’ll freeze to death!* Mistlefrost realized.

     “What’s your name?” He asked her slowly, still seeming to be wary of her.

     “I’m Mistlefrost.” She told him quickly.

     “Oh, so you’re a Clan cat.” The tom meowed. His expression was unreadable, since he was still in the cover of the shadows two fox-lengths away from her. “I see.”

     “Yes. I come from MapleClan.” Mistlefrost spoke up, puffing out her chest. “Is there something wrong with that?” She added defiantly.

     “I didn’t say there was.” The tom told her, then paused. “My name is Mica and I’m a kittypet.”

     *Figures.* Mistlefrost thought. *I’m asking for help from a kittypet. What am I, pathetic?*

     “Oh.” Mistlefrost only managed to say. She didn’t want to sound rude. After all, she needed this cat’s help.

     “I know what you think about us kittypets.” Mica told her, seemingly reading her mind. “But I can assure you that not all of us are as soft as you think.”

     “I—I never said that.” Mistlefrost stammered, unsure of what to say to Mica’s response.

     “You didn’t have to.” Mica countered but took a few steps forward so that he was finally in the moonlight.

     Mistlefrost finally got a better look at him. Mica was a tall and thin cream cat with black and dark brown markings. He a black muzzle, paws, ears, and tail-tip. Mistlefrost also noticed the contrast in his light blue eyes. She didn’t think she’d ever seen any cat like him before.

     “Let’s go to my place and we can talk there.” Mica meowed then whirled around and stalked away.

     Mistlefrost scampered out of the snow to match his pace. *Yes! I’m going to have a new life! A better one, where no cat doubts me all the time!* The she-cat thought with extreme exhilaration. She was so overjoyed at the fact that she might have found a friend that she almost squealed. *It’s time to make things right!*

**Read the rest of *Trapped in Crime* on the WFW, where I will hopefully be turning it into a full story sometime. Look for it to appear on the recent wiki activity.**