Blinded

Thunderpaw ran through the forest, feeling the fresh, cold leaf-bare wind against her pelt. She arrived at the coast, scenting the salty water scent. She parted her jaws, scenting for prey. Rouge!

She followed the scent, padding towards a cave on the edge of the stretch of sand. She peered inside. Nothing but darkness.

She stared, deciding whether or not to go in. She did.

After adjusting to the darkness, she could see a light figure inside the cave. She crept forwards.

Suddenly, red eyes blinked in front of her. Thunderpaw unsheathed her claws, hissing. Then the thing attacked her. Thunderpaw thrashed around, trying to escape from the creature's treacherous claws. She felt a sharp pain on her eyes, then she couldn't see. Blood dripped from her pupils to her mouth. She could taste the bitter scent of blood on her tongue. Thunderpaw staggered to the side, then collapsed.

~~~

Stormcloud padded to Darkflame. "Have you seen Thunderpaw? She hasn't had training with me for so long."

Darkflame shook his head. "I don't know. I'm starting to get worried. No one has seen her this whole day. Maybe we should send a patrol."

Stormcloud nodded. "I'll organize a patrol to search for our missing apprentice."

Stormcloud began to call out names.


Darkflame!

Birdflight!

Twilightsky!

Crystalgaze!

Cloverpaw!


~~~

The patrol have arrived at the coast, Thunderpaw's scent lingering in the area. They followed her scent into a cave, along with the slight smell of blood. They crept in, one by one, led by Darkflame.

Cloverpaw shrieked. The warriors turned in her direction and saw...

Thunderpaw on the stone ground, a pool of blood directly below her head. Her eyes were shut, blood flowing slowly out of them. Birdflight meowed worriedly, "We need to get her to Spottedwing..fast."

Darkflame nodded his head in agreement. Slowly, the warriors carried Thunderpaw all the way back to camp.

~~~

Spottedwing has been working inside her den for nearly the rest of the day. Stormcloud paced impatiently in front of the den. Eventually, her tortoiseshell head appeared from the ferns. "I have grave news."

~~~

Stormcloud climbed the Sky Vine, yowling "Let all cats gather before me. Thunderpaw was found, but she is terribly injured. She has been blinded by a rouge, she assumes. Patrols, watch out for any scent of rouges. And report any mysterious findings to me. Meeting dismissed."