A biting cold wind made the cream tabby tremble as she walked under the shadow of the trees. An owl moaned in the distance, and eerie shrieks pierced the air. Lilysnow sighed. Another cat dead.

Leafbare was a miserable season. You could only stand by and watch as the snow took over your once warm, welcoming home. Then they suffocated the residents of the land and slaughtered them with icy claws. Lilysnow was lucky. She survived four leafbares at the lake, and hopefully this was the fifth.

"Lilysnow."

Lilysnow turned at the familiar voice, staring into monotonous gray eyes. "Sharpstar," the cream tabby greeted, dipping her head to the dark-furred tom. "Why are you out so late? You're needed in camp. Your sister needs you."

Lilysnow shuddered, flattening her ears back. "What happened to Finchsong?" she whispered. Sharpstar bowed his head, turning away. "Come see for yourself."

Lilysnow's breath came out in thick, silvery-white clouds as she dashed past Sharpstar. Her cream paws sank into the deep snow, and puffs of white flew into the air. I'm coming, Little Finch. Wait for me, sis.

"Finchsong!" Lilysnow screeched. Her lungs seemed to explode, and her throat burned. Snow spiraled around her and the wind howled like a dog. Every step she took towards camp seemed like three foxlengths back. So close to you, Finchsong. Please, wait for me!

Time seemed to slow down as Lilysnow hurried through the blinding blizzard. She had no moon to guide her, and Silverpelt did not cast a glorious spotlight on the frozen ground. "Finchsong!" Lilysnow's voice was strained now. Her ears were blocked by snow and she almost didn't hear voices in the distance.

Lilysnow skidded on the ground, collapsing in the deep snow. "Finchsong," she moaned. "Please. Wait for me. I'm coming to you, Maplekit and Darkkit. Just wait for me."

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the trees, loud as the howling wind. "Well, look who's fallen into our trap!" the voice hissed mockingly. A gray tom appeared from the snowy pines, Sharpstar at his side. Lilysnow gasped as the two toms unsheathed their claws and inched towards her. "So sorry, Lilysnow," Sharpstar cackled, raising his large paw. Pain shot through her body and darkness filled her vision.

I'm so sorry it's so short ;-; I had a bunch more but it disappeared. I can't recover it, so I will type more in the next chapter. Thanks for reading~