Leafpool was drowning.
She felt the blue pool of ice close around her, rendering her nearly claustrophobic. As she fought for breath, the ice only squeezed tighter, plastering her tabby-marked fur to her lithe frame. Thrashing instinctively, she managed to haul herself out of the deadly ice pool, where she could do nothing but lay panting upon the outer ring of lighter ice.
The medicine cat knew that she had to call for help; she was in no condition to go anywhere. She was trapped. Trapped in ice. Opening her mouth, Leafpool drew in a ragged breath to call out, her heart thudding like it wouldn't ever calm again.
"Leafpool!" Squirrelflight nudged her impatiently.
Frightened, she whipped her head around to see her sister flanking her.
"You were standing there with your jaws open like a mousebrained fool," Squirrelflight brushed her tail across Leafpool's mouth teasingly, "If you're trying to catch prey, I don't think they jump into your mouth when you do that."
"I…I w-was just – "
"Is everything okay?" genuine concern flashed through Squirrelflight's eyes. The bond that was forged between the two sisters was strong enough for her to know that something was wrong with her delicate sister.
Leafpool inhaled deeply before answering her, "I'm okay. I was just a little nervous about whether or not Firestar will announce the shortage of prey when the Gathering starts. ThunderClan wouldn't want to seem weak."
"Heavens to StarClan, Leafpool!" Squirrelflight sighed exasperatedly, padding away to sit next to Brambleclaw, "You worry too much!"
Leafpool herself began to wonder what had happened. Was it a dream? A sign from StarClan? Or was she merely daydreaming?
Glancing around the clearing, she was searching for a sign that might have indicated a remnant of StarClan's presence, but she found none. Suddenly, she felt the back of her head burning. Somebody or something was staring at her. Whirling around, she felt herself once more paralyzed by two pools of blue ice.