Lost Hope: Book 5: Forest of Vipers

Chapter 16

Forestpaw had made it back to her small den in the Dark Forest after regretfully leaving StarClan's beautiful, but deserted, hunting grounds. I'll be able to go back there soon, she kept telling herself, Amberpaw won't fail me.

She settled into her scrappy little nest and closed her eyes, imagining the smiling face of her brother. And when she opened her eyes again, he was standing in front of her.

"Hi there," she said, grinning slightly. "What progress have you made?"

"None so far," he said. "I'm sorry. But Mousesqueak has been keeping me super busy with training and by the time I get back to camp, I'm just so tired. I think I'll have to wait until the Gathering and maybe offer to stay back or something. That's in about half a moon though."

Forestpaw nodded. "I found out how to get back to the living world though," she said. And she told him about the portal from the Dark Forest to StarClan, and then the one from StarClan to the Star Hollow.

"Wow," he said.

"Yeah. I think you may have to take my body all the way over there in order for it to work," she said.

"I'll do whatever it takes, as long as you'd able to come home," her brother said, and her pressed his face against hers, letting out a low rumbling purr.

Forestpaw purred as well, and they sat like that for awhile, until Forestpaw realized that he was no longer standing there. He had woken up.

I hope he's able to do what I ask of him, Forestpaw thought. I know it's hard, but it may be our only chance. Amberpaw said that the next Gathering was in half a moon. She just had to survive until then.

***

Viperfang wanted Forestpaw to 'train' again.

She wasn't sure how much more fighting she could handle. From what she could tell, the rogues were getting better. But Vipefang surprised her by putting her up against a small apprentice from FernClan named Quailpaw. The splotchy gray she-cat was much younger than her and a lot more timid.

"Fight!" Viperfang ordered and Quailpaw jumped at her. She was clumsy though and Forestpaw dodged.

Quailpaw was a lot lighter and faster it seemed. She recovered quickly and was on the attack again. Forestpaw however had learned good defense while she was here and was able to keep herself out of harm's way for awhile. And when Quailpaw did land a paw on her, she wasn't strong enough to keep Forestpaw held to the ground.

Viperfang called the fight off. "This isn't going anywhere," she said. Forestpaw noticed a warrior off to the side who was watching Quailpaw with concern.

"Dahliapetal," Viperfang snapped at the warrior, who sharply turned her gaze on Viperfang. "Are you training her at all?"

"She's only been an apprentice for moon!" Dahliapetal protested. "Give her time."

"Violetshadow wasn't this pathetic at seven moons, she wasn't this pathetic at five!"

"Quailpaw isn't Violetshadow," Dahliapetal said quietly. "I'm not even sure Violetshadow is a real cat."

Viperfang narrowed her eyes, and was about to say something else when two more cats appeared. Violetshadow herself and Tarantulaclaw.

"Ah, Violetshadow, Tarantulaclaw," Viperfang said, a slow mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Dahliapetal and I were just discussing her apprentice's lackluster performance."

Quailpaw shrank beneath the gazes that were suddenly on her and shuffled closer to her mentor.

"Tarantulaclaw," Viperfang said, and the brown and gray warrior perked up.

"Yes, Viperfang?"

"How about you show Quailpaw how a real warrior should fight. Don't hold back." Viperfang grinned evilly, and Forestpaw felt suddenly chilled by what was about to happen.

Tarantulaclaw dipped his head. Forestpaw couldn't tell wether or not he was mortified or excited. He just said, "My pleasure."

"NO!" Dahliapetal shouted, her voice raising several octaves. "You'll kill her!"

"Maybe that's that point," Viperfang growled. "Get over here, Quailpaw."

Forestpaw felt her heart beat intensify as Quailpaw slowly made her way back into the clearing, facing Tarantulaclaw. Her ears were twitching nervously and her legs seemed as if they were going to snap in half, unable to hold her body.

This is not going to end well, Forestpaw thought. She wanted to scream her protest, but she'd never make it back to the real world if she did. I'm so sorry, Quailpaw.

Dahliapetal was also shaking almost uncontrollably as she watched her apprentice stand in front of the much larger and much stronger warrior. Forestpaw crept around the circle to stand beside her, and Dahliapetal seemed slightly comforted by her presence.

"A fight to the death," Viperfang said. "Ready? GO!"

Tarantulaclaw didn't hesitate.

He leapt forward and grabbed Quailpaw by the scruff. He shook her violently before tossing her to the side. Blood flew in an arc behind her, making Forestpaw want to gag.

Quailpaw landed with a thud and began to cough as she tried to stand again, blood bubbling at her lips. Her paws scrabbled at the earth, letting out a small wail as she ripped out a claw.

Tarantulaclaw was on the attack again, springing up and over her. He kicked her forward and she somehow was able to land on her paws. She tried edging away from him, but Tarantulaclaw pounced and grabbed her by the throat.

Forestpaw turned her head away, unable to watch as Tarantulaclaw tore the life away from an innocent apprentice. This is wrong. This is so very wrong.

"Quailpaw. . ." Dahliapetal whispered, her mew catching in her throat. Forestpaw watched as the spotted she-cat walked over to the center of the clearing where her apprentice lay. She bent down and appeared as if she was whispering some final words into Quailpaw's ear, but Forestpaw didn't catch them.

Instead she looked over to where Tarantulaclaw had just seated himself next to Violetshadow. The dark gray she-cat was staring impassively at Dahliapetal leaning over her dead apprentice's body while Tarantulaclaw licked the blood from his face.

"Mind helping me?" he asked Violetshadow, pointing a claw at a spot on the bridge of his nose he couldn't quite reach.

Violetshadow glared and turned away, not answering.

Suddenly, Forestpaw was in her damp den again. Viperfang had teleported her back, apparently done with her.

Forestpaw glanced outside at the red sky. I need to get out of here.