Warriors: Beyond the River (SOB prequel) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 22

"What have you done?"

A voice whispered in his ear, and he gasped, spinning around. "Who's there?" He was standing on the frozen river, the ice smooth under his paws. He looked around the snowy banks, but couldn't see any other cat near him, let alone beside him.

"It's begun, Iceslide." He froze as the voice breathed in his ear again, cold as a frosty breeze. "What have you done? What have you done?" 

Iceslide backed away, his heart pounding with fear. "Where are you?" He gasped. "What did I do?"

More whispers joined in from all around him. "What have you done? What have you done?" They repeated over and over, and Iceslide cowered to the ice in terror. Stop! Go away! Somebody-

"Help! Somebody help!" 

The wail jolted him awake, and he raised his head, gasping out. For a heartbeat, he thought that the wail had been a part of the dream. But around him, cats had awoken. Did I wail in my sleep? Was it me? But his denmates paid no attention to him. Most were leaping out of their nests and hurrying into the clearing, while others just stared after them anxiously.

"Please, help us!" The voice cried from the clearing, and Iceslide rose and stumbled out of his nest, still shaken by his nightmare. 

He'd almost reached the entrance when Dipfoot pushed past him, nearly knocking him over. "Sorry!" He called over his shoulder. Iceslide gave his pelt a shake before following him out into the clearing. It was very early morning, and the sky was still dark. Fresh snow covered the ground, and heavy flurries drifted from the sky.

A small golden-brown and black tabby was standing by the entrance of the camp, breathing heavily. Blood streamed from his shoulder, and his snow speckled fur was bristling with fear. Iceslide picked up the scent of WindClan.

"Driftpaw?" Shimmerstar had just reached the apprentice, Frostedcloud and Salmonstripe following quickly. "What's-"

"You have to help us!" The WindClan apprentice cried, his amber eyes lit with terror. "Please, our camp is under attack! It's the rogues!" He was nearly tripping over his words he was speaking so fast. "We're outnumbered, it's bad! My father is already badly wounded, and my mentor, Windwhisker, is dead!"

Cats murmured anxiously, and Shimmerstar exchanged an uneasy look with Frostedcloud.

"You have to come!" Driftpaw pleaded desperately. "Please, hurry!"

"We will." Shimmerstar promised and turned quickly to her warriors, scanning the nearest cats. "Salmonstripe, Mudslip, Sunripple, Shorestep, Warmmoss, Iceslide-" She paused as more cats hurried out into the open. "Winterlight and Heronleg, you too."

As the warriors gathered, Iceslide among them, Shimmerstar turned to her deputy. "Frostedcloud, make sure the camp is guarded while we're gone," She ordered, and the white tom nodded before rushing away to a group of warriors.

Driftpaw's tail was twitching back and forth in impatience and fear as Shimmerstar turned to him. "Lead the way," She ordered, and the apprentice spun and raced out of camp, Shimmerstar and the others following.

How many rogues are there? Iceslide wondered anxiously as he ran with his clanmates through the snow. They outnumber a whole clan!

"Oh, StarClan!" He became aware of Sunripple running alongside him, his voice rich with fear. "I hope Dreamwhisper is okay!"

Iceslide didn't respond as they headed across the frozen river. He wished he could reassure him that she was, but these rogues were merciless. He didn't want to make a promise he couldn't keep.