Snowflake's Story

Chapter Thirty-Two

"The water took Skunk?!" River yowled, astonished.

Nervous mews roused from the clowder.

Branch huddled close to Cocoa. "Will the water take me, too, Cocoa?" He squeaked with fright.

Cocoa licked his son's forehead. "Not if I have anything to do about it," he replied, his golden eyes narrowing with determination to protect his kitten.

"Why were you out there?!" Crow hissed, stepping forward.

Red stopped in front of her.

"Well.. We wanted to explore.." Sunshine shrunk back.

"Why they went out there doesn't matter," River stated, swishing his tail. "Why were you all the way at the stream?"

"We weren't at the stream!" Scorch mewled. "We were just outside!"

River's eyes widened as he peeked outside, the rest of the clowder looking over his shoulder. Scorch was right; the water had covered the streets, and was now coming for them.

"We need to leave!" Snowflake shouted with anxiety.

"We can't leave!" Carrot protested. "I want my kittens to be born here! What if the flood doesn't go down by then?"

"Do you want to die?" Sand growled at his sister.

Carrot's eyes widened and she shook her head.

"Come on!" River commanded, bounding outside. "Round up your kittens if you have any!"

Cocoa's hackles raised wih anxiety as he picked up Branch by the scruff. Snowflake hated to see him so scared. Bird picked up Branch the same way.

"Wait!" Falcon hissed. "What about Mud?"

Everyone turned around to look at Mud. He was old, his muzzle was gray, his bones usually ached.

Mud shook his head. "Leave me here."

Snowflake's eyes widened. "What?! No, we can't!"

"And I can't be a trouble to you, if I could travel with water around my paws," Mud argued.

"We have to hurry!" Puddle screeched with Sweets clinging onto his back.

"Mud.." Snowflake whispered.

Mud's eyes shone. "If I die here, I will die where i've always been, where i've always felt comfort, where I was born, raised, trained, fed, taken care of, loved.."

Snowflake let out a deep sigh and nodded. "We won't forget you, Mud."

Mud nodded and smiled. "Take care, young one."