Chapter 5

Spiralkit waited anxiously at the entrance to the medicine den, her tail twitching impatiently. How long until Curlpaw is done? she wondered. How long until I can go in and talk to Swirlpaw? How long will it take for her to get better? She sighed and dropped into a crouch, her back aching from sitting up for so long. When was Curlpaw done? And where was Ambercloud? The medicine cat hadn’t come back from gathering herbs yet. And it was nearly dawn already.

Spiralkit groaned and rolled over onto her back, stretching and yawning. Come on, Curlpaw. Are you done yet? Should I go in and check on you? She glanced toward the entrance. Should she? After all, there was no sound coming from the den at all. Maybe Curlpaw had fallen asleep. She sighed and sat up again. This is boring. I’m going in. She hopped to her paws and padded inside.

The den was dark, and Spiralkit had to blink several times to adjust to the gloom. She looked toward the nests and realized that Curlpaw was staring at her, her bold yellow eyes sparkling in the darkness. “Swirlpaw is asleep,” the gray-and-white apprentice whispered. “I’ve just woken up.”

Spiralkit nodded and padded over to her. She looked into the nest. Swirlpaw’s shoulder was wrapped with herbs, probably already healing well, though there was still an ugly bump on the back of her head. Oh, Swirlpaw, Spiralkit thought sadly as she looked at her friend’s limp form. Are you okay? Will you leave me? No, you can’t! I need you. Curlpaw needs you. We all do. She let out a worried squeak.

Curlpaw curled her fluffy tail around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Spiralkit,” she meowed. “Swirlpaw will be okay.” She sounded like she was trying to convince herself.

Spiralkit took a deep breath. “I know,” she replied. “How long has she been asleep?”

Curlpaw frowned. “When I checked on her at dusk, she seemed alright. We fell asleep together–sorry if I kept you waiting. But when I woke up, I found her breathing had slowed.” Her eyes shimmered with worry. “We need Ambercloud!”

Spiralkit immediately scrambled to her paws. “I’ll go find her,” she offered. “I’ll do anything I can. You stay and take care of Swirlpaw.” She cast a last glance at the injured apprentice before heading out of the den.

“Be careful!” Curlpaw called after her.

I will, Spiralkit answered silently. She bounded over to the camp entrance, then, making sure no one was watching her, bolted out of camp. The rich scents of the forest calmed her at once, but Spiralkit wouldn’t let herself get distracted. She would focus on finding Ambercloud, on saving Swirlpaw. She padded through the forest and wondered where she should start looking first. She didn’t know any of the territory. Oh, no, she groaned inwardly. Why did I volunteer? I should’ve told Curlpaw to go! Why was I so stupid!

Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, a strange voice sounded. It seemed to come from inside her head. “Go! Go!” it said. “The climbing clearing! Follow the trail! Go, go, GO!”

Spiralkit jumped and bolted forward. The climbing clearing! The place where Swirlpaw had fallen. She felt sick. What was so important? Did the voice that was telling her to go back to the place Swirlpaw had gotten injured have something to do with it? She pushed the thoughts away. She had to focus, even though she had no idea what in StarClan had just happened. Whatever the voice is, it must be important!

She skidded to a halt in the clearing, barely able to catch her breath. Sure enough, she smelled blood. Oh, no. What happened? She looked around for any clues, then realized with a gasp why the voice had brought her here.

There was a body lying on the ground in the middle of the clearing.

Spiralkit bounded toward the body, then, as she came closer, realized who it was. It was Ambercloud, the medicine cat’s pale tabby fur matted with blood. Spiralkit halted beside her and pressed her nose into the body. It was cold.

Spiralkit shivered, then realized how tired she was. It won’t hurt if I just rest here for a while… She flopped onto the cold ground and curled herself around Ambercloud’s body…

 

She padded through the forest, her nose up, sniffing for herbs. Of course, they were so hard to find in this leaf-bare weather, she thought with a shiver. She padded along the path, her pelt brushing countless leaves, none of them suitable for Swirlpaw’s wounds. Would she even find one? StarClan had warned her of a terrible danger coming to the Clans just a few days earlier. What was it? She padded along the path until it ended, leading into a grassy clearing surrounded by trees. Of course! The climbing clearing. She would look here for herbs. Then she spotted something, tucked deep into a tree root as if it were hiding from the cold. Coltsfoot. It would ease Swirlpaw’s breathing. She made for the precious herb, but just before she could reach it, something hit the back of her neck.

She let out a yowl of pain and spun around to face her attacker. But there was nobody there. She gasped as sharp claws hit her neck again, tearing the fur away until she felt blood trickle out of the wound. She looked around. She should run. But no, she wouldn’t give up, not until she got the herb for Swirlpaw. She twisted around, frowning in confusion as she stared at trees again, their leaves rustling innocently. Who was there? Who had attacked her?

She took a deep breath and bolted for the herb again, hoping that her attacker had gone, but at that moment they grabbed her scruff and yanked her backward. She fell onto her back with a yelp of shock and pain. The attacker had its paws on her eyes, preventing her from seeing any of its appearance. They let out a low snarl, and she felt pain bloom across her throat, and she knew nothing more.

 

Spiralkit woke with a gasp. She scrambled to her paws frantically and glanced at Ambercloud’s body. Nothing had changed. Her heart was racing. What had happened? Whatever that dream was, I’m scared, Spiralkit thought, her fur prickling nervously. It had actually happened. She had been Ambercloud, looking through her eyes, feeling the pain the medicine cat had felt before she had been murdered. Spiralkit shuddered. Why did I dream about that? Is StarClan trying to tell me something? Am I going to be a medicine cat or something? She shook her head. No. She couldn’t be a medicine cat. She knew it, deep in her heart, that she was born to be a warrior. Then why did that happen?

Spiralkit glanced at the place that Ambercloud had seen the…What was it called again? Oh, right! Coltsfoot. She padded to the tree root, and sure enough, the green plant was growing in a small clump, right there. She was happy that she’d found the right herb–at least it might be the right herb–to help Swirlpaw, but it still bothered her to think that her dream was right.

I’m scared of this place, Spiralkit realized. That was the feeling growing inside me all along. Fear. She tugged a few plants off and held them tight in her jaws. I’m so frightened right now, I never want to come back to this place! What if it’s this place that’s making all the weird dreams and stuff? She sucked in a nervous breath.

Then she turned and bolted home, the herb held tightly in her jaws.