The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

15. Into The Twolegplace

     Palepaw buzzed with excitement. As he trotted alongside Shadowclaw, he took in all of the sights and smells of the territory past the border. His paws kicked up the fresh snow as flecks of white fluttered down around them, surrounding the patrol. He ignored Patchback's grumbling about the cold, instead focusing on Ashtail's enthusiasm that was much like his own. "This is better than last time, I think," she purred brightly. "It's better to be in a patrol rather than alone." 

     "I imagine you have personal experience, don't you?" Froststrike meowed. He was at Shadowclaw's other side, walking with his head up and ears perked, diligently searching for signs of any threat. "I'm surprised they didn't kill you." 

     "Webpaw wouldn't let them," Ashtail mewed, her voice low. There was sadness behind her voice that puzzled Palepaw. Did he die to protect her or something? 

     Patchback scoffed. "Only because he was afraid of Fallenstar." 

     Afraid? Why? 

     "Something tells me he had more respect for Fallenstar than fear," Froststrike said. "The thunderpath is ahead. I can hear it." 

     Palepaw paused and strained his ears to listen. A distance rumbling brought his paws to a stop. "That's the thunderpath?" 

     "It can be tough to cross, but we'll be fine," Shadowclaw assured him, pushing forward. Palepaw bounded after him, stomach beginning to churn. The rumbling grew louder, and soon they broke through the trees. A snow-coated field separated them from the thunderpath. Palepaw shuddered as monsters with gleaming pelts shot back and forth, black paws moving so quickly that they could be seen only as a blur. "The thunderpath is more active than usual," Shadowclaw huffed. 

     Ashtail whimpered. "Aren't monsters supposed to be less common in Leaf-bare?" 

     The patrol gingerly approached the edge of the thunderpath, and Palepaw felt as if he might be sick. The acrid scent burned his nose, the growls of the passing monsters pounding in his ears. As the monsters passed, they flattened his fur with the wind that brushed against their sides, and all he could do was imagine himself lying on the thunderpath.  

     "When there are no monsters in sight on either side, and you feel no vibrations under your paws, you run across. Understand? Don't stop for anything," instructed Shadowclaw. He stepped to the edge and pressed his paws to the black stone. Monsters whirred past for what seemed like an eternity, screaming, until they finally seemed to disappear. Shadowclaw looked both ways and then shot across. Froststrike followed, and both reached the other side before the next round of monsters arrived. Patchback and Ashtail stepped up next while Palepaw lingered behind, fear clutching his heart with jagged claws. 

     What if I fall?  

     Suddenly, Ashtail and Patchback were rushing across the path. Ashtail staggered, her paws slipping, but the two joined Froststrike and Shadowclaw easily. Now, it was Palepaw's turn, and his blood rushed in his ears, heart pounding painfully against his ribs. He placed his quivering paws against the black stone, shuddering as it shook beneath him. When the monsters were gone, and only a faint snarl continued beneath his toes, he took off, his paws slapping the thunderpath messily. Sharp, white rocks stabbed at his pads, and the rumble returned. He froze, glancing down the path, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of the monster fast approaching. He heard Shadowclaw and Ashtail yowl his name, and he stumbled onward, but his paws slipped out from beneath him as he stepped onto a sheet of ice. He hit the ground with a thud, the wind escaping from his lungs. 

     Teeth dug into his fur, and Palepaw felt himself being dragged into the snow. He glanced up and laughed nervously at Froststrike, who glowered down at him. Palepaw tried to move, but his bones had turned to dust, and he could do nothing but stare up at the cloudy sky. A snowflake fell on his nose, and he sneezed.