This is a BlueClan challenge about getting lost.
Ripplewing was lounging in her camp, the sun sinking into her fur and flooding her with warmth. She yawned, completely content to just lay there for a long time. She glanced around her camp that was going about its usual business. Cats were leaving for patrols or coming back, some were chatting, everything was quite normal.
Flamedapple padded up to Ripplewing. "Hello," Flamedapple greeted, dipping his head. "Would you go on a hunting patrol with Sparrowheart and Amberpaw?"
Ripplewing hauled herself to her paws. "Okay," she agreed with a nod. She walked away to join Sparrowheart and Amberpaw at the entrance to camp.
The three cats left the camp. "Where to?" Ripplewing asked, glancing at Sparrowpelt.
"How about we go by the river, into the trees a bit?" Sparrowpelt suggested, with a slight shrug.
"Let's go there," Amberpaw agreed, bursting forward to get ahead.
Ripplewing nodded, and smiled in amusement as Amberpaw went ahead. She took the rear of the group and looked around for any signs of prey. Ripplewing noticed a dove sitting on a low branch of an oak tree. She slowly stalked forward so she was right below the branch. She bunched up her hind legs and sprung for the bird. She hooked the dove in her claws and landed on the branch. Ripplewing quickly bit the base of the spine, killing it.
Ripplewing was about to jump of the branch when she heard a shriek of terror. "Amberpaw fell into the river!" Sparrowpelt had yowled at the top of his lungs. Instantly, Ripplewing dropped her prey and launched herself towards the river. She reached it and saw Amberpaw's head bob above the water before going back under.
Ripplewing hesitated only a moment before leaping into the freezing cold water. For a second she was frozen in shock as the cold sank into her fur. She dimly heard Sparrowheart yowling from the bank. But when she saw Amberpaw rushing by her in the river she snapped back. Ripplewing forcefully kicked out with legs in an attempt at swimming. She struggled over to Amberpaw and reached out and grabbed her by her scruff.
With Amberpaw firmly in her jaws, Ripplewing tried to get back to shore. She finally made it and Sparrowheart helped get Amberpaw out of the water. But before Ripplewing was free, a big rush of water came tumbling towards her and she was swept away. She flailed her limbs helplessly and was plunged underwater. Ripplewing was pulled down the river at amazing speed, knowing it was no use, Ripplewing didn't struggle.
Eventually, Ripplewing realized the rush was over and she was floating aimlessly in the river. She barely managed to stay conscious and everything was foggy. Ripplewing saw a tree trunk floating by her and she swam over to it. She clawed her way up it and glanced around. Everything was unfamiliar and Ripplewing realized that she was lost. Ripplewing coughed up a mouthful of water and collapsed on the muddy ground. She inhaled deeply and then exhaled, before drifting into a sleep filled with terrible dreams.
The next day, Ripplewing awoke and began to make her way home. A travel that could take up to a moon for all she knew. But determined as she was, she knew she would one day reach her Clan.
Words: 558(Without AN)