Stolen (Book 1 of the Outcast Quartet)

Chapter 13 (Juniperpaw)

“Pay close attention Juniperpaw,” Softheart instructed as she gestured towards me to look at a plant. We had walked some ways until we reached a plant with large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers. Sniffing it curiously, I noted the tangy scent that came from it. “This is comfrey, the roots of this plant are a good way to treat wounds and broken bones. However you have to be careful when digging it up, for if you take too many of the roots the plant will die.”

            “I see…” I murmured while repeating the information in my head, not wanting to forget it.

            Softheart then started to dig up a couple of the roots and handed them to me, I brushed some of the dirt off before picking them up. “There is also some dock around here,” she explained while setting off again. I trotted after her, trying to remember the plants location. “Dock is great for soothing wounds, although it can sting a bit upon applying it. Ah here it is,” she stopped beside a clump of large leaved plants, the scent coming from it was sharp. Softheart nibbled some of the leaves from their stems and sat up. Glancing around, she spotted a fern and plucked off a small leaf. She placed the dock down and rolled the leaf around it. “Using a fern is a great way to carry herbs.”

            I cut off my own leaf and placed the comfrey roots down while enclosing the leaf carefully around them. Softheart picked up her leaf and started forward when a loud howling froze her in her tracks. “Softheart, what was that?” I asked softly, my legs starting to quiver.

            “I believe it was a dog,” Softheart whispered back, her gaze shifting suspiciously about.

            “A-a dog,” I stammered remembering the tales the elders used to tell of dogs. “Aren’t they just nursery tales?”
            “I’m afraid not,” Softheart sighed. “Juniperpaw, we must get back to camp at once.”

            That was when it appeared… huge paws landed in front of me and spittle flew about as it let out a fierce bark. It gleaming black eyes locked onto me and I froze, my instincts told me to run but I my paws were fixed to the spot. “Juniperpaw, look out!” Softheart screeched and I felt her head slam into my shoulder as the dog lunged. She howled as its deadly teeth dug into her and she wriggled fiercely to try to escape its grasp. The dog, happy about its catch, tossed Softheart into the air. My mentor twisted about in the sky before the dog caught her and all the while all I could do was stare in horror.

            “Let her go!” a fierce snarl came from behind me, shortly after a blur of orange, white and black rushed past. The cat leapt at the dog, digging her sharp claws into its soft throat forcing the dog to release my mentor.

            “S-Softheart,” I edged closer to her, staring intently at the still and bleeding white cat. “Softheart,” I reached out and gently shook her.

            “Juniperpaw are you okay?” our savior, who turned out to be the calico Patchpaw, asked. Her leafy green eyes were wide as she took in Softheart’s battered body. “Is she still…?”

            “She’s still alive,” I mumbled numbly, noticing the slight rise and fall of Softheart’s chest.

            I didn’t notice as Graydapple padded towards us, the dappled gray tom shaking his head in grief. “Let’s get her back to camp,” he murmured softly to me and I slowly stood up. As I started to recover from the shock of the attack, I noticed the slight wheeze with each breath I took. By the time we reached the camp, I was struggling for each breath I managed to muster while my vision started to blur.

            “What happened?” Jackalhowl, a newly made warrior asked as we entered the camp. His golden pelt bristled in horror and his large ears flattened against his head.

            “A dog,” Graydapple answered darkly and I left the warrior to explain as I stumbled to the medicine cat den. Entering the herb stores I reached out and scooped up some coltsfoot leaves. I quickly chewed the leaves and swallowed the bitter juices before spitting out the leaf pulp. Taking in some deep, shaky gasps and I felt a wave of relief to find myself being able to breathe again. But the relief was shortly lost as worry for my mentor took over again.

            “Why would a dog be here?” I heard Sweetstar growl as I padded out of the den, our leader was pacing anxiously beside the unconscious Softheart while her tail lashed in frustration. “A dog hasn’t been here in seasons!”

            “Juniperpaw, will Softheart live?” Twilightberry asked.

            I flinched and glanced away, unsure of how to answer. I didn’t know a thing about treating wounds, or illnesses, or anything on herbs. “I-I don’t know…”

            “How could StarClan let this happen?” Willowtree howled and she wrapped her tail around her kits fearfully. “Have they abandoned us?”
            “They haven’t abandoned us!” Sweetstar spat. “Our ancestors will never dispose of us.”

            By now a crowd had gathered and worried murmurs filled the camp. “If they didn’t leave us, than how could they do this to Softheart?”
            “Softheart isn’t dead,” Russetleaf exclaimed. “We’ll have to trust in Juniperpaw to save her.”

            I winced, I had just became an apprentice today how could I do anything? Would StarClan guide me and tell me what to do? I swallowed down the rising doubt inside me while exclaiming softly. “I’ll try my best…”

            Sweetstar nodded while gently grasping Softheart and pulling her into the medicine cat den. Taking a deep breath, I followed her all the while trying to figure out what to do. Even though Softheart had taught me the herbs I needed to treat wounds I had no idea how to apply them. “Stay strong Juniperpaw,” Sweetstar murmured to me while slipping back out of the den.

            I watched her leave and after a moment I collapsed beside Softheart. “What should I do?” I whispered, hoping that someone would give me an answer. “StarClan please tell me.”

            I didn’t get a response and truthfully, I didn’t expect one. I had a deep feeling that this was the time for Softheart to pass on. I swallowed down my grief and stood up, wishing I could do something. I paced for a while before sighing and leaving the den, I needed fresh air.

            “How’s it going?” Rosethorn asked softly and my mother pressed herself against me, her tail rubbing against my back soothingly. “Can you save her?”

            “I can’t do it,” I whispered. “The only thing I can do now is watch Softheart suffer.”

            Time passed quickly and  nightfall struck faster than anticipated. During that entire time I couldn’t figure out a single thing. A StarClan cat didn’t contact me on a way to heal Softheart and her condition only continued to worsen. By now all I wanted to do was ease her suffering, but even that I couldn’t do. “I’m so useless,” I murmured while glancing away from Softheart’s limp body. Her breathing was ragged and she would often cry out, as if she was being tormented by something. The jagged bite wounds were now scabs but a sickly green coloring was starting to form and puss was starting to form around the wounds. “I’m sorry Softheart…” I murmured and laid down beside my dying mentor. My throat tightened in grief and I covered my face with my paws. “I’m sorry…”

            I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by darkness, was this a dream? I glanced around, I couldn’t even see my paws. Juniperpaw. A soft echo caused me to jerk around and I noticed a bright shining light. You’re not alone Juniperpaw, I’ll guide you every step of the way. I frowned, this voice was… a deep dread rushed through me as realization struck.

            I leapt up, my heart pounding as the terrible recognition hummed through me. I knew that voice… turning towards Softheart I pressed my ear against her chest. No breathing… no heartbeat… a sickly feeling settled inside of me. I was right… the one who spoke in my dream was Softheart.