Snowflake's Story

Chapter Thirty-Four

Half a month passed.

The clowder buried Mud in a clearing that was surrounded with trees that grew the softest moss Snowflake had ever felt. They cleared out any branches looming above Mud's grave, allowing him to see the open sky like Glow probably does when he explores.

Carrot had her kittens; an orange queen with darker bengal markings and yellow eyes named Vixen, and a bengal tomcat with orange paws and green eyes named Leaf. River made Carrot a growncat to thank her for her new sworn duty to her kittens. Sand had also become a growncat.

No prey was safe from being soaked by the unstoppable rain.

Dusty had been hunting with Apple and Blossom when he saw Skunk's drowned body floating in the water below. His family was devastated. The clowder buried him under the wooden building, safe and secure.

The night after Skunk's burial, Snowflake had a dream.

She was standing in the middle of a field.

Full of flowers.

"Snowflake?"

Snowflake whipped around. An orange tabby tomcat raced over to her, his golden eyes shimmering with happiness. Joy burst inside of Snowflake's belly.

"Glow!"

"Oh, Snowflake, it's so good to see you!" Glow cheered. Then he made a confused face. "How can I see you?"

Snowflake blinked. "I'm not sure. I fell asleep, and now i'm here."

Glow looked up, seeming to think about something. "Snowflake.."

"What?"

"...I think I died."

Snowflake looked at Glow like he had grown a second head.

"The last thing I remember is being chased by dogs, running through this field.. One lunged at my throat, then it all went black. And now i'm here."

Snowflake fluttered her eyelids in confusion. "No! That can't possibly be.. No!"

Glow's tail flicked. "I'm sorry, Snowflake! I didn't mean to die on you!"

"No! It's not your fault, Glow!"

Glow sighed. "How's Mud doing?"

Snowflake felt like she had been swept off her paws. She didn't have the heart to tell her friend the whole truth. "He's.. Happy."

Glow smiled. "Good." He padded closer and rubbed his cheek against Snowflake's. "Thank you, Snowflake. I couldn't have asked for a better friend than you."

Snowflake felt like crying over her lost friend, and the lie she had to tell him.

Glow's next words sent a chill down Snowflake's spine.

"I'll never forget you, and don't you ever forget me."