Warrior Cats: Gossamer

Chapter 7

When Myrtlepaw opened their eyes, everything was dark. The space around her was devoid of life, and the comforting scents of her denmates stale. With her silver tabby fur spiked in alarm, they lurched to their paws.

They were quickly brought back down when the low ceiling of the apprentices' made itself known. Myrtlepaw was dizzy with pain, rubbing her forehead furiously. I made a point to tell myself to get up slowly! she growled, allowing a moment to catch her breath before grooming her pelt flat. When they were done, they leaned back contentedly, before fully realizing that all of her denmates were gone. I'm late! And on my first day!? What in the world is my problem!?

She trotted outside of the den, housed snugly beneath the roots of a hanging willow tree. The lichen-and-moss curtain that draped across the entrance brushed her back, and Myrtlepaw made sure to tuck the curtain on a small branch so that the den could air out. They stared back into the den, anxiety making her heart ache. My denmates are gonna think I'm stupid for sleeping in...

Myrtlepaw slunk up the small slope that led to the den entrance, eyes darting back and forth. Over by the fresh-kill pile, the other apprentices were sharing a meal. She almost resolved to hide back behind the roots rather than show up, with all of those eyes on her. The thought made their skin crawl. But with a deep breath, Myrtlepaw forced herself into the clearing. Duckstem and I worked so hard on my anxiety the past few moons! If she saw me now she'd be scolding me about hiding from my problems. Eating with my denmates isn't a problem. It's good.

Pansypaw turned to her and offered a beaming smile. "Good morning!" she trilled, "We just barely left before you, so don't worry."

The small bit of consolation made Myrtlepaw's heart slow with relief. She took up a spot next to Pansypaw, leaning into her plush white fur, and resting her cheek on their sister's head. Pansypaw growled, "You're too big to cuddle, Myrtle! I'm gonna be crushed!"

Myrtlepaw quickly shifted away, pelt prickling, but was relieved to see that Pansypaw's blue eyes glimmered humorously.

"You were sleeping so nicely that we didn't want to wake you up," Irispaw said apologetically, placing a big white paw on a dead Smallmouth bass, still dripping with river water. As Myrtlepaw made a move to pick it up, Irispaw brought it right to her, smiling kindly. "Th- thank you," Myrtlepaw mumbled, taking the bass in her own paws.

Irispaw purred a response before scooting back to her spot between Hazelpaw and Poplarpaw. Kitepaw rolled his dark blue eyes dramatically. "Tundrapad caught that specifically for you!" he sighed, "How come you got the best mentor? Toadthroat almost took me out before sunrise. Only stopped because Tundrapad said we needed to sleep!"

The young cats laughed, and Myrtlepaw smiled awkwardly before murmuring a short apology. As if on cue, Toadthroat growled. All the apprentices startled, Sunpaw hissing a quiet "Whoa!"

"We go out before sunrise so we can use the entire day to make you into a good warrior," he said coldly. "Good warriors don't gossip about their Clanmates!"

Kitepaw stared back indignantly and scoffed. Toadthroat was quick to cuff him over the ear with a dark paw, brown tabby fur raised. Myrtlepaw flinched back, and Sunpaw began to rise to his paws, eyes alight with anger. Before he could speak, Tundrapad made her way in front of Toadthroat, offering him a cold glare before warmly smiling at the apprentices.

"Today we'll be learning to swim!" she said, flicking her muzzle for the group to stand and follow. "Your mentors are waiting on the riverbed."

Myrtlepaw trailed behind the group, large ears lowered. The last time she'd been in the river, it had tried to kill her. She shuddered at the memory of being mercilessly pulled through freezing, pitch dark rapids. Tundrapad nosed her shoulder comfortingly.