Facing A Forest of Shadows

Chapter Four {Edited}

Frostfeather had been startled awake, her senses alert. It had been several days since her strange dream, and she still tried her best not to forget. Deep down, she was positive that she wasn't meant to forget. She narrowed her eyes as she gazed around the pitch black den. It must still be dark, the sky would be shrouded and studded with stars if she could see through the thick branches of the den. Then she heard what had woken her.

That sounds like Nightvolt, she thought as a low wail drifted to her ears. The noise didn't seem to have woke any of the other warriors, they were all still fast asleep. With a short sigh, she got to her paws and picked her way out of the den. The air was crisp with cold against her muzzle as she made her way across the camp clearing. With every step, Nightvolt's wails became louder.

Frostfeather poked her white snout into the den, wary of what she may find. "Brokensong, is everything alright?" her tone shook with a frightful tremor. It sounds as though Nightvolt is in a lot of pain, she thought. The medicine cat did not answer right away. After a few moments of silence, Brokensong leaped out of the crevice in the rock and came to stand beside Frostfeather. Her fur was ruffled and covered in shreds of herbs.

"You shouldn't be here," Brokensong stated abruptly, her tone harsh. Frostfeather flinched at her words, her eyes growing wide. Why shouldn't I be here? A frosty chill swept up her spine, her anxieties flared anew.

"I just wanted to come see what was wrong with Nightvolt..." she explained. It felt like she had been scolded like a troublesome kit.

"Nightvolt is very sick," Brokensong rasped as she shook her head, "you mustn't get close to him. No one should." Frostfeather felt completely baffled at what Brokensong had said. Surely Nightvolt hadn't caught greencough?

Suddenly, the elder's distressed wails had changed to an angry growl. The fur all along Frostfeather's back started to stand on end. She glanced at Brokensong and saw that her face was frozen with horror. "What's happening?" Frostfeather asked. She didn't take her eyes off of the one-eyed she-cat.

Without any indication, a dark shape exploded from the mouth of the medicine den. Claws and teeth flashed in the moonlight as the attacker fell upon Brokensong. Its eyes were wild and filled with hate, it seemed like the entire forest was filled with the intense sound of slaughter.

"No! Someone help!" Frostfeather yowled as she attempted to grab a hold of the dark shape on top of Brokensong. At her touch, the face of the attacker turned to look at her. She was shocked to find herself stare into unfocused, crazed yellow eyes. It was Nightvolt.

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Frostfeather jolted awake for the second time. Her fur was hot and sweaty and it stuck to her skin like a layer of cobweb. Her breaths came in rapid gulps, her heart slammed in her chest. Did that really just happen?

It was still the dead of night as she exited the den for what felt like the second time. But there wasn't even a whisper to disturb the silence. Nothing moved at the mouth of Brokensong's den. Frostfeather felt foolish, to allow herself to become so frightened from a bad dream. You're not a kit anymore, she reminded herself.

Even though she knew that the camp was safe, she was aware that she would not be able to go back to sleep. Her nerves still shook like a leaf trapped in a storm. She wrapped her tail close to her side and sat down in the sparse grass outside the warrior's den. The light cover of snow melted at her touch and made the tips of her paws and tail damp.

With a deep breath, she stared up at the clear night sky. The stars danced with a magnificent light. It helped make her feel just a bit more relaxed after her dreadful dream encounter. She hadn't sat there for long before she eventually did hear something move inside the medicine den. She sat alert and glared hard at the entrance. She hoped she could make something out in the night's darkness. To her relief, it was just Brokensong.