Treading in the sand dunes, the small tom never realized that he was actually leaving his home. For him, the world was his home and he could go where he pleased. He did not feel obliged to stay within the territory of the Mind, he wanted to see the world and how different it could be.

That's why he liked the beach and the ocean. The rolling waves that crashed upon the shore and rocks like thunder and the soft sand that made wonderful dens to sleep in. It was all very different from his little den by the stream in the Mind. Many times he had thought of running away and coming to live here but he couldn't stand the thought of leaving his family, especially his sister, Skitz. He was just special like that.

As his eyes drifted down to the water's edge, he saw another cat sitting up on the shore. He seemed intent on the ocean and the waves, just like he was whenever he came here. Hesitating for a moment, the young tom-cat wondered if he should go and greet the cat. He must not be from one of the three groups, he didn't know anyone else that came out here except for him.

Leaping down, he lightly trotted toward the tom. Stopping a couple of tail-lengths away, he smirked slightly. Hey, he called out, sitting down and curling his tail around his paws. I'm Frantic, and you know that you're stealing my spot. Frantic said it with a playful tone but he wanted the young stranger to know that he came here often.

But maybe this tom was nice,
Maybe he was different then the others.
Maybe he would understand and see him differently.
Maybe he could make a friend.

Frantic tilted his head slightly to one side, his golden orbs sparkling with curiosity and unspoken hope. He remained silent, glancing at the cat before once again turning his eyes to the ocean and the waves washing up on shore. Why did the water not lie still like it did in a lake or pond? It reminded him of the little stream around his den at home. Of course this was much larger, almost as though it was the mother of the stream.

The origin of all water. he mused as he dug his paws slightly into the warm sand. But that was probably not true. Water came from...he didn't know where water came from. Maybe this tom knew?

Hearing his next words, Frantic eye's flickered back to the young tom. Who was he? The ocean would never do that. It tries to come near you but always washes back down into its depth only to try again and again. But it will never hurt you unless you venture too close. Frantic murmured. He then mentally scolded himself. A cool cat would never say something stupid like that. Why couldn't he be more like his sister? She made everything she said sound smart and cool.

Frantic looked back over the ocean, thinking of Holden¡¯s words. Frantic wouldn¡¯t like that very much, especially if the darkness blocked out the moon and the stars. He felt close to them, like they guided him through trouble¡­and his sister¡¯s trouble. He didn¡¯t think that he could stand the black and empty skies or whatever existed without the moon and the stars.

The ¡®drowning¡¯. It scared Frantic, it scared him so bad that he would often wake up from nightmares of it. Of course those nightmares weren¡¯t as bad as his fathers, but he didn¡¯t know what it was like to have to live with the fact that you killed your family. He was terrified by the fact that he might actually get the ¡®drowning¡¯ any time, especially since it ran in his family. He didn¡¯t want to be a monster, he despised the very thought of it. His eyes remained steady and secure though, not showing the unease and frightened thoughts that ran through his head.

I know that it kills and that other are killed by it, innocent or not. Frantic replied with a small sigh, lowering his gaze from Holden¡¯s eyes. My father managed to survive it, even though he wished at the time to be dead. So there is still hope for the ones infected. he continued, confident in his words. But he doubted it. So far, he had only heard of his father whom had actually survived a full blown attack of the ¡®sickness¡¯. Once again, the thought scared him.

This tom had no sympathy for his family. That was better then most cats who would look down upon him because of his parents. It was times like those when he wished that he could just be a normal child to normal parents, not some kit with a mother who heard voices and a mutilated father.

I'm from the Mind. he said quietly, his voice betraying disappointment and annoyance. He did not like the Mind, not at all. But his sister and parents lived there, he had to stay. He couldn't just walk away from the life he had. Not that it was much of a life. The two toms lapsed into silence as they both studied the ocean and the growing darkness.

I just wished by damn life wasn't so fucking screwed up. Frantic muttered harshly, breaking the silence. He was even surprised at his own words, especially that he had spoken them out loud. He hadn't meant to, but it felt nice to say them. Though he knew that his father would be unpleased by the language he was using. Frantic didn't care, he had learned it from his mother after all.

Don't you ever wish that you could just start again and be someone totally different? he asked the tom in frustration. Maybe this young cat wasn't the right person to spill all his thoughts too, but Frantic didn't care much about that. If the tom thought it was weird, he could just walk away like everyone else did.

Frantic angrily dug his claws into the sand, seeing wisps of it blow away on the gentle wind. He was sure that Holden was going to walk away now, probably giving him a strange glare before quickly padding off away from him. But when he didn't hear paw steps, Frantic glanced up to see that the young tom was still sitting there with an interested look on his face. Interested?

So he's all alone. Frantic thought to himself. He wondered what it would be like without his parents and sister. He could do without the parents, but Skitz...he loved her too much. What would it be like to wander and do what you pleased, to say whatever you wanted and go to any place that you wanted to see? It sounded kind of cool

What's your name? Frantic asked, a spark of understanding and friendship lighting in his eyes. This tom seemed to understand what he was talking about, they seemed to be able to relate to each other. And where do you live now? He added. There must be some place that this young kit rested at night, some place that could possibly be called home. But Frantic didn't know if travelers and strays like this cat had 'homes'. Maybe they really just didn't belong anywhere except for our on the open road.

Holden, Frantic said slowly, testing the name. He had never had a friend, or someone else that he could call by name. He knew a couple of cats from the Mind because of his father, but otherwise he never hung out with anyone else. He was labeled as the tom freak of a mute and maniac. But of course no one called him that to his face in respect of his father, the tom was after all valued in the community as an intelligent cat. But Frantic knew what they called him and his family behind their backs but he tried not to care. Which was hard.

I like that name. It's different, he said with a slight smile. He became slightly interested as Holden started talking about a clan and a deputy. Wasn't that part of the past, the clans and all? I have my sister. Frantic replied immediately, not even hesitating with the statement. Skitz meant everything to him and he could not bear the thought of losing her.

What about you? You have this Sydney guy, but do you have anyone else?