Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 22

Heartkit was barely aware of anything happening around him. He felt cold and numb. His thoughts were mixed up and made no sense. He wished he could wake up from the nightmare. A cat licked him. Her tongue was warm but it made no difference to Heartkit, in fact, it almost made him feel colder. It wasn't Stormpelt licking him anymore. A cat took him by the scruff and brought him to the nursery. Stormpelt's scent was strong and Heartkit thought he was there for a moment but he was then put to the floor and the warm breath of many cats could be felt and he knew Stormpelt wasn't there. He shivered and wished he could stay like this, feeling numb without facing life without Stormpelt forever. Eagleflight's voice was like an echo. 

               "Flamefrost, all of you, out," Eagleflight ordered. "You stink of blood and Heartkit needs space and rest." He then bent over to Heartkit and licked him gently. "Heartkit, I'm going to get Lionpaw to look after you, I need to tend to the other cats. Don't leave us, ok?" Heartkit didn't understand what Eagleflight meant but Heartkit sure was hoping that he could leave to never feel this pain anymore. Eagleflight slipped out and a few moments later, Lionpaw padded into the den. He curled around Heartkit. Heartkit didn't even notice. 

                  "You're going to be alright Heartkit," soothed Lionpaw. "Stormpelt was a strong warrior. We will mourn for him, but he's with Brightheart now. It's your turn to be strong." Heartkit barely heard him. He had never talked to Lionpaw, only rarely when they were kits. He was closer to Firpaw, Lionpaw's brother but somehow, Firpaw seemed more hostile and unknown to Heartkit now. He felt more comfortable with Lionpaw. 

                 "Heartkit? Can you hear?" Lionpaw said. "Heartkit?" Heartkit's mind was a whirl. He remembered times he had with Stormpelt. How Stormpelt would teach him fighting and hunting moves and bring him along on deputy duties. He remembered sleeping next to Stormpelt, feeling safe and protected. He felt himself slipping away from reality, into the comfort of his head. Lionpaw's voices faded from echoes into something he couldn't hear. 

                 "Heartkit!?" cried Lionpaw, panicking slightly. Heartkit was with Stormpelt and Brightheart. They were all sharing tongues and Heartkit was rolling between them, happy. They were a family, like they were supposed to be. Three of them, together, Heartkit felt whole again. No more holes. 

                  "Heartkit! Heartkit! Please answer," Lionpaw said panicking, licking Heartkit furiously. Heartkit stayed still. He was in a better place, stuck in his mind of imagination. He wanted to stay there forever. 

                  "Eagleflight!" yelled Lionpaw. "Heartkit won't respond!" Eagleflight was in the den in a second. 

                  "Heartkit!" he said. He licked Heartkit then checked his heartbeat. "He's still alive. He's stuck in his head. Go get some Feverfew, Thyme and when he wakes up he'll need poppy-seeds." Lionpaw nodded and raced out. Heartkit was left shivering next to Eagleflight who tried everything. Heartkit was in his happy bubble. With both of his parents, he played around in a field of green, chasing a butterfly. A small river trickled next to the field. Stormpelt and Brightheart watched him, sharing a sparrow. The sun warmed his pelt and birds sung. Heartkit suddenly smelt something. Something familiar. The scent he grew up with. The one who was fierce but he still somehow felt slightly attached to and had gotten used to. His thoughts of both his parents together in a sunny field were ripped away. His head was muddled. Thoughts of Stormpelt dying. He writhed away. Thoughts of Firpaw. Thoughts of his parents, together. Everything was jumbled. Then a voice, clear in his head rang out. "Heartkit, wake up this instance!" Heartkit felt himself being pulled back to reality. He felt two cats beside him. He remembered Stormpelt. Stormpelt was dead. He wanted to go back into his head but the other cats spoke once more. 

                "Heartkit, wake up," the voice was smooth and slightly commanding. Heartkit squirmed. The voice wasn't letting him back into his thoughts. Then a paw prodded him and his eyes opened, blinking. Sandwing stood over him, her eyes watching him intently. 

                "He's awake!" cried Eagleflight. Lionpaw burst into the nursery. "Lionpaw, feed him the thyme." 

                "Heartkit, eat the thyme," said Sandwing. She sat next to Heartkit and fed him the thyme Lionpaw passed to her. Eagleflight nodded and slipped out of the nursery. Heartkit ate numbly. He was clouded with sadness but he didn't feel like getting stuck in his head anymore. 

                  "You feeling alright?" inquired Lionpaw gently. Heartkit managed a weak shrug. Sandwing nodded then turned to walk out. Lionpaw frowned. 

                 "Where are you going?" he asked. "Didn't you nurse Heartkit for most of his life? Shouldn't you stay with him? He needs you right now." Sandwing looked thoughtful. 

                 "She's not my kit, I'm going to see my kits," she said matter of factly and walked out. "I did what I could." Lionpaw bristled at her attitude but then changed his attention to Heartkit and soothing him. He slept next to Heartkit, keeping him warm and reassured.