to
wish
upon
a
star
full summary - Worry can drive those who care to take a risk. Sometimes they don't know that what they are doing is going to have terrible consequences. All good things come to an end, as they should. But sometimes the laws of the universe and fate itself are bent, and this is not the way of life.
Fate doesn't like to be tampered with, and it certainly doesn't like to be beaten. Sometimes fate needs its revenge.
Be careful what you wish for. Even the most innocent can be turned guilty in a heartbeat.
prologue
The clearing was covered in the indigo fog of dusk. Trees were silhouetted against the darkening sky. The wide expanse above the Clan's head was yet to be covered in stars. The refreshing scent of night time filled the air, and one or two lone crickets' cries echoed through the silent forest.
The grieving Clan had gathered in honour and loss around the lifeless body of a fallen clanmate. The warriors had told Solarkit that he was struck down by something they couldn't see, before they had a chance to kill it. The thought of death lurking behind the shadows of the trees gave Solarkit shivers, tremors that travelled through her body, down her tail and legs. She had swallowed uneasily, giving a smile of thanks to the warriors as they had turned away. They didn't seem fazed, their carefree attitude lightening the air around them
Now they had bowed their heads in mourning, the scent of lavender and mint drifting on the slight breeze through the air towards Solarkit's hunched form. She was crouched on the ground, watching through widened eyes as the clan medicine cat stood at the head of the body. Solarkit couldn't see the details, but she thought she saw enough for a moment to discover a ragged cut at the throat of the body.
She swallowed; listening to the words of the medicine cat ring through the heavy air. Still, no stars had appeared in the night sky. It was unusual, Solarkit decided with certainty. Her mind drifted like a dandelion on the breeze to a story the elders had told her once. In their lilting, raspy tones, they had told her that when the first star appeared in the sky, a wish could be made. That a cat could wish upon a star and their request would be granted by the universe itself. Fate had no say.
Solarkit sat there for endless heartbeats, watching the last light fade from the sky and the cats settle down for vigil. She felt the grief rolling from them in waves, eating at their hearts, leaving a gaping hole inside their chests. Life was fragile, and the cat lying dead on the ground had suffered the shattering of life.
Solarkit didn't know how they coped with such things. Her father always scolded her and told her that death was a part of a true warrior's life. She saw the love that flitted in his eyes as he told her about what a warrior was all about. But Solarkit was terrified of losing her family. Every single day, she sent a prayer to StarClan that her family would be safe.
Solarkit turned her troubled gaze to the sky, closing her eyes briefly for a moment. When she opened them with a sigh, she noticed a bright star glinting above her, watching over them. Solarkit's breath caught in her throat. It was the brightest star she had seen for a long time. It seemed warm and forgiving unlike those on previous nights, that glared down at her mercilessly.
It was the first star of the night, Solarkit was sure. She fixed her gaze upon it with determination and fear mingling in her chest. She mouthed the words like a sacred rite, as if they had been in her heart since the dawn of time.
I wish my loved ones and I could live forever.
