If Things Were Different: Cinderpelt
Cinderpaw sprinted through the trees, her paws flying over the ground. She was excited and scared, free and rebellious. She was overjoyed that she got to deliver such an important message. And to Bluestar herself! Cinderpaw grinned, thinking she was the luckiest apprentice in the world.
Of course, she had already passed on Tigerclaw's urgent request. Now she was just interfering. Fireheart might be mad, she thought guiltily, but Bluestar and Tigerclaw will be glad for my help! It sounded really important, and they'll appreciate it…. Aw, either way I can get it on some action! She laughed quietly.
A few short minutes later, Cinderpaw skidded to a halt by the side of the black stone path. It's reeking smell filled her nose and made her eyes water. The scent was unforgettable. She shook her head, trying to shake it off.
Suddenly the ground started shaking and a rumbling filled the air. Crouching down, she squinted her eyes as a monster charged by. As the roar faded, she heard Tigerclaw's yowl.
"Bluestar! Hurry!" he called from the other side.
Re-energized, Cinderpaw sprang onto the road and started running across. She almost made it.
Her paws slowed, her head whipped to the side. Then she froze completely, joints locking into to place. Horrified, she could only stare as a second monster screamed around the curve in the road and barreled straight at her.
Cinderpaw's mind disconnected from her body. Her legs went limp and her belly hit the ground. Shutting her eyes, she could only register the deafening sound and the blast of air that flattened her fur to her sides.
And in a split second, it was gone. The monster was already out of sight, having driven straight over the gray cat. She stood up on shaky legs, expecting to see StarClan warriors welcoming her.
"Cinderpaw!" Fireheart's terrified screech brought tears of joy to Cinderpaw's eyes. Shock, and joy. If Fireheart was calling her name, that meant she was still alive.
She fled to the safety of the forest, running until she crashed into Fireheart's orange fur. She stood there for a minute, gasping as the adrenaline wore off, crying from leftover fear. "Fireheart!" she whimpered, now just a scared apprentice.
Fireheart pressed against her soothingly. "Shh. Your not hurt, are you? I was sure you were dead."
Cinderpaw closed her eyes as the tears slowed. Fireheart, on the other hand, peered across the Thunderpath. Cinderpaw looked to see what he was staring at. On the other side, she could see Tigerclaw watching her with the strangest look in his eyes. Almost like… disappointment? How strange…
Fireheart was still glaring at Tigerclaw. After a moment he seemed to remember Cinderpaw was there. Shifting his gaze back to her, he gave a strained smile. "Let's get you to Yellowfang, she can give you herbs for shock. I'm sure you must be traumatized." Laying his tail across her shoulders he lead her back to camp.
