The Forest Games

Chapter 11

Dawnpelt shifted in her moss, annoyed by a scent lingering in the air. After a few moments, she lifted her head and noticed the air was hazy. Confused, she padded out of the den and stared wide eyed at what had woken her. Flames roared around the camp, making a noise that she thought had been wind. She rushed back into the now flaming den and woke the others who were in a deep sleep. They woke up, startled that they were in a fire and the fact that they hadn't woken up from the noise. Dawnpelt had to drag Starlingwing out of the den because he had breathed in too much smoke. She swiveled her head from side to side looking for a way out. She found a way and ran for it. Her team followed her and they made it through the wall of fire. Ferretclaw had nearly been crushed by a falling tree while running out, although it managed to slightly singe his tail. As they ran, they felt themselves become disoriented and light headed. Dawnpelt looked around the smokey world, only able to see a fox length in front of her. She had lost sight of the others and hauled Starlingwing on.

Gasping for air, she crawled around the valley, not knowing where she was going. She could be walking in circles for all she knew. Need water. She thought desperately. The flames and smoke filled her vision, making everything unclear and out of focus. Dawnpelt inhaled more smoke. She fell to the ground, now dragging herself and Starlingwing. Dawnpelt readied herself to hear her own cannon when she felt something cold touch her paw. She looked up weakly to see a lake, nestled in the mountains. Her eyes lit up with hope as she dragged herself and Starlingwing into the shining water. It was a relief to breath in fresh air, closer to the middle of the lake where the smoke couldn't reach. It was fairly shallow, except for a dip in the middle. She lay there then fell into a deep sleep.

Dawnpelt woke up and blinked the smokey fog from her eyes. She looked around to see one side of the lake a charred land and the other side a healthy pine forest. Starlingwing lay next to her, still breathing. There was no sign of her other clanmates. Maybe they got out. Dawnpelt hoped. She stood up, pelt full of ash where it wasn't wet, and shook herself. Starlingwing stirred and jolted awake when his muzzle was dipped underwater. He looked disoriented for a moment, then remembered bits and pieces of what had just happened. "A-are Ferretclaw and Applefur s-still here?" Starlingwing asked weakly. "No. I'm not sure if they are alive." Dawnpelt meowed solemnly. Starlingwing nodded and attempted to stand. After a few tries, he managed to hold himself up on shaky legs. Dawnpelt helped him over to the pine forest that was untouched by the fire. She passed by the place where the fire had stopped. It was a completely straight line between a charred wasteland and a pine forest. Dawnpelt gasped when she realized that wasn't a natural fire. It had been caused by her grandfather, Tigerstar, to kill them.