Crowstar's Mission {COMPLETE}

Chapter 16

 Crowpaw barely slept. He tossed and turned in the uncomfortable shelter as the sounds of twolegplace combined with the pain of his paw and the pangs of hunger kept him awake. Crowpaw lifted his head as dawn peered over the horizon. I have to get up. Crowpaw told himself, feeling tired and exhausted. Even if it kills me. He stood up, yelping as he accidently put pressure on his injured paw.

He hadn't changed the cobwebs since he found them, and the wrappings were dirty. He knew for a fact that if his wound wasn't infected now, it would be soon. Crowpaw swallowed the pain and exited the twolegplace. He was still hunting for a river so he could fish, knowing that he could fish even with his paw being injured. If he found that river then he would have one less problem, but the problem that remained was still a pretty big one.

Crowpaw had no idea what would happen if a wound was left untreated. The bleeding stopped two days ago, but what if got infected and wasn't treated? Would he forever have a limp? Or would it kill him? Crowpaw really didn't want to die because of an infected wound, but part of him feared the absolute worse.

Crowpaw kept walking, he was barely away from the twolegplace and was already feeling hot and exhausted. His mind was foggy and his steps clumsy. Despite everything, Crowpaw kept going. He was going to find that river if it was the last thing he did. And it just might be. Crowpaw was a little unnerved by the morbid thought, but he couldn't help but wonder if this wound would be the end of his journey.

Even if the infection didn't kill him, if it got bad enough he might be unable to continue hunting at all. He couldn't run from dogs, coyotes or other cats. He couldn't cross a thunderpath safely and if he never found the river he could very well starve to death. Crowpaw was starting to miss Clan life more than he ever had since leaving.

In MoonClan I have prey and a medicine cat to heal wounds. Grief and homesickness suddenly took over him. Why did I leave? I'm going to die out here, if it's not from my stupid wound it will be from something else. Crowpaw stopped walking, closing his eyes and trying to focus. I'm such an idiot. I can't do this, I don't know why I ever thought I could.

Crowpaw collapsed in the field, feeling panic and sadness take over him. "I'm just an apprentice." He whimpered. "I can't do this." His voice trembled. "I can't do this..."

The forest was dark, Crowpaw was scared and alone. He looked, not seeing anything nearby. The only thing that caught his attention was a large, shimmering star overhead. I've seen this star before, but where? He questioned himself, staring at the star. It's welcoming. Crowpaw stepped forward, shocked to find that his paw was fine. What's going on? He questioned, but found something pulling him forward.

He wanted to follow the star, he couldn't help but think it was leading him somewhere. Crowpaw quickened his pace, nearly sprinting towards the star, he kept his eyes on it all times. However, he did note certain things around him. There was a fallen tree to his right, and a small boulder to his left.

Over a large hill, Crowpaw spotted the sparkling sight of water. His heart leaped and Crowpaw broke into a spring down the hill. His mouth watered at the idea of fish, he had finally found a river!

Crowpaw shot awake before he reached the river. He was lying in the middle of a field, just after sunhigh. I fell asleep? He looked around, he was still in the same spot and the pain of his paw returned as well as the deep pain of hunger. He dropped his head in disappointment, wishing his dream to be real.

Something sparked inside Crowpaw, he stood up and looked up at the sky where he had seen the star in his dream. Maybe it could be real... Crowpaw thought and started walking forward. He walked for a while, hunger and his paw slowing him down but there was a determination burning deep inside his chest. He knew where he was going.