Lost In The Stars (Book Two)

Chapter Eighteen

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high-ledge for a clan meeting." Stripedstar's loud mew woke Robinwing three mornings after they had moved to their new home.

As Robinwing emerged from the warriors den, he saw Rosepaw and Leopardpaw happily nudging Ashpaw. Must be his warrior ceremony. Robinwing thought. He glanced at Stoneclaw, who had his tail wrapped neatly around his forepaws. His expression was unreadable, but Robinwing guessed that he was proud of his son.

As Stripedstar began to speak, Robinwing felt Firestorm brush his side. "What do you think of Ashpaw?" She asked quietly.

"What do you mean? He's uh.. Great." Robinwing shrugged.

"He seems a bit odd." Firestorm said. "Have you seen the way he is around Leopardpaw?"

"Leopardpaw?" Robinwing was confused. "I haven't seen him do anything strange.."

Firestorm shook her head. "It's probably just my imagination."

"From this day forward you will be known as Ashfire. StarClan honors you for your strength and your courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan." Stripedstar finished. The first apprentice to become a warrior of LightClan.

"Ashfire! Ashfire!" Rosepaw started the chanting. The others joined in, all chanting for Ashfire, who was trembling with fear.

After the gathering had broken up, Robinwing found a vole from the fresh kill pile and settled down to eat. "This is perfect." He said to Spidereye, who had stopped to eat beside him.

"It is. And this is just the start.. We still have our whole lives to live here!" She grinned.

"Yeah." Robinwing felt suddenly tired, although he had just woken up. "I think I should take a nap." He yawned.

Spidereye laughed. "Okay, go ahead."

*

Robinwing was standing in the mooncave. Why am I here? He wondered. They'd moved territories. Was there a mooncave for Rainstorm here?

But Rainstorm wasn't in this mooncave. It was empty, and the dull light was red rather than green. A chilling fear crept up Robinwing's spine, making his fur stand on end.

I need to get out. Need to get out of here! He turned to run, but a massive black dog blocked his path. It's jaws were parted, blood dripping from his fangs, and it's fur seemed to glitter like silverpelt.

Robinwing was trapped. The dog sprung forward, clutching him in it's fangs. It swung it's head wildly from side to side, shaking Robinwing with all his mite. Then it let go and Robinwing flew, but instead of colliding with the wall, he kept flying.

He was all the way back at camp now, and more of the ravenous dogs had invaded. He saw every one of his friends clutched in a jaw, fighting for their life. Others were dead, laying on the floor soaked in blood.

But one image stayed in Robinwing's head. Stripedstar, standing in front of Foxkit, protecting him with her life. A dog took her in his jaws, killing her instantly. Foxkit didn't move. Robinwing watched him, but he hadn't even blinked an eye.

"Wake up, Furball!" A mew shook Robinwing from his terrible dream. He stood up quickly, shaking off moss from his fur.

"What is it?" He asked. Firestorm stood over him, her whiskers twitching with amusement.

"Follow me." She demanded, bouncing away. Robinwing followed slowly, feeling like his paws were made of stone. His dream was still fresh in his head, making his fur stand on end.

He felt like it wasn't just a dream. Perhaps it was a warning. A sudden thought hit Robinwing. Perhaps this new home isn't as perfect as we thought.