[vellichor]

@Suspiciousmindz

It was dark and dirty in the ally. Shadows engulfed the back of it, providing a good place for a den. Trash piled up at the end of the ally formed a ramshackle den. It was in this ally that Raven and his parents lived. He had been standing guard, as he’d been told, though he was unsure of what he, a four moon old kit could do to protect their den. He was also certain that other rogues would just pass by; who else would want this awful, broken den?

He knew he couldn’t run away. It wasn’t even an option. He knew his parents would track him down and make him pay. They’d burned that into his mind since he’d opened his dark blue eyes. They also put him down. ‘You’ll never be good enough.’ ‘We didn’t want you, you useless rat.’ ‘Why can’t you be more like Sparrow was?’ Sparrow, his sister, had died a moon ago. She’d been obedient, talented, and quiet. She got all the praise; he got all the disappointment.

He shook his head. He had to stay here, trying not to fall asleep. He stayed in the shadows, only the glint of his dark eyes giving him away. The past was the past. And yet, it clawed at his insides. He’d never be good enough. He’d never earn any praise from his parents. Why even try? His shoulders slumped, just as his stomach rumbled. It had been a few days since he’d eaten, but he was used to it. He only had to ignore it, and stare ahead for signs of movement.