The Prophecy

Chapter 3

After the apprentices cross the field, a small river appears down a slope. Just across the river is a two leg neighborhood. PatchPaw puts a paw in the river and takes it out. "It's cold. I think the rocks are close enough to jump across though. I'll go first." The tom mews and quickly pads across the rocks, careful not to slip into the cold, rushing water. Only one more jump he thinks to himself and crouches. With a push of his back legs, PatchPaw lands on the other side. He turns, gazing at the others. "Come on!" He calls over to them.

BlackPaw was next. The black apprentice takes a deep breathe and steps forward. She looks down at the raging water, her reflection looks back at her. With a small step she stops on a large flat rock. It was wet and algae grew on the stone. BlackPaw unsheathes her small claws and jumps to the next rock. This time she wasn't so lucky and her back paws slipped.

BlackPaw felt the cold water seep into her short fur. She pins her ears and grasps the rock in front of her. Her head bobbed underwater, when she surfaced she heard a yowl from a cat, a tom for certain. Her paws lash out in front of her, she feels a bumpy surface. A log! With the last bit of her strength, she grasps it and pulls herself onto the log. BlackPaw lays there coughing. A sharp pinch on the back of her neck shocks her back to her senses. A cat, specifically MintPaw, was pulling her onto the bank.

MintPaw grasped the soaked she cat my the scruff. She pulled her up onto shore. BlackPaw gasps and coughs. MintPaw had crossed the river and chased her down the side of the river. After BlackPaw snagged the log, she bent down and dragged her up. PatchPaw came running to see the two she cats. "Is she ok?" He asks nuzzling BlackPaw's soaked pelt. "Yes but she's freezing" MintPaw mews and licks the black she cat. The other cats had gathered and were watching MintPaw. After a couple minutes, which felt like house, BlackPaw began to warm up and breathe easier. PatchPaw purrs and licks her head gently.

BlackPaw awakes to find the cats crowding around her. "Wha-?" She croaks. "Hush BlackPaw your ok" PatchPaw mews comfortingly. The sun, high in the sky now, beats down upon the apprentices. "We need to find shelter" IvyPaw mews after a couple minutes. The others nod and help BlackPaw up. PatchPaw and MintPaw press up against her sides. CloudPaw and WillowPaw scout ahead as the others continue to walk. Only minutes later, which felt like hours to the exhausted apprentices, CloudPaw returns from scouting. "We found a hollow tree," he reports. "Follow me. IvyPaw is already there pulling up moss." The white tom mews and bounds off. RuffledPaw and OrangePaw run after him. MintPaw runs after OrangePaw, WillowPaw right on her tail. StreamPaw walks along with PatchPaw and BlackPaw. Up ahead a large, short tree looms into view. As they pad closer, BlackPaw sees cats rushing in and out of the tree carrying moss balls and leaves. "I'm going to go help. Are you coming MintPaw?" She asks looking at the white and brown tall she-cat. MintPaw nods and pads after her, leaving PatchPaw and BlackPaw alone. "Thanks for helping me," BlackPaw mews awkwardly. "Your welcome" he purrs rubbing his cheek on hers. BlackPaw was shocked for a second. She had liked him, but does he like me back?? At that thought her heart flutters and she purrs, breathing in his warm scent.