Hey guys! Sorry I'm kind of late with the update, but have no fear! A new chapter is here!

Snowfall16 Thank you very much!

Chapter three

Coal woke up slowly, the weak rays of dawn light piercing the holes in the ceiling of the medicine cat's den. He had been in the camp for about three sunrises now, and he was starting to get restless.

"Good morning." A soft voice spoke. Looking up, Coal saw Swanpaw slide into the den, her white ears pricked. She had been his only visitor, other than the strange black and white tom, who had learned was named Lightstar. Silver moon didn't count as a visitor, since she pretty much lived in the medicine cat's den.

Coal smiled at the young she cat and flicked his tail in a greeting, letting out a loud yawn.

"I brought you some fresh-kill!" Swanpaw purred, setting down a small mouse at the black tom's paws.

"Thank you Swanpaw. You don't have to do that, though." He chuckled, digging into the small rodent.

Swanpaw rolled her eyes. "Of course I did! Its not like you can go get one yourself!"

Coal just shrugged, taking more famished bites of the mouse. His broken leg was splayed out behind him, dried blood coating the cast that was on it.

"I think I may need a new wrap." Coal said, finishing his mouse. "Silvermoon said she would start working on it later."

Swanpaw nodded, her eyes narrowed as if she was in thought. Suddenly, a sharp voice rang through the clearing, calling out Swanpaw's name.

Swanpaw glanced at her friend apologetically, flicking her tail. "Venompool wants me, sorry."

"I'll be seeing you!" Coal called after the apprentice. He looked down at his paws, wishing he could get up and walk again.

Even though he had a few friends in FlareClan, Coal still didn't want to stay much longer. He wasn't used to being around so many cats, and it drove him crazy when they all stared at him.

Suddenly, a cat stumbled into the den, muttering curses and limping. Looking up, Coal noticed the she-cat Duskfur, who he only knew as the cat who had brought him fresh-kill once.

"Are you okay?" Coal asked, looking over the brown and white cat curiously.

"Obviously not!" Duskfur snapped. "I think I sprained my paw. Where's Silvermoon?"

"I-I think she's out collecting herbs." The black tom stuttered, sitting up awkwardly.

"Of course."

"I can probably help you. I mean, I've seen Silvermoon treat a hurt leg before."

"No, thanks. I'll wait for the experienced cat to get here."

Coal sighed, rolling his eyes. "Well you're going to be waiting a while!" He snapped. Why wouldn't she let him help her? All of these Clan cats were so prejudiced!

Duskfur sighed and looked away from Coal. "It will be worth it." She snapped.

Coal rolled his eyes and looked out at the sky. The sun was now high above their heads, and he curled up in a ball. "Fine. I'm going to take a nap."

"That's all your good for!" The she cat snapped.

Ignoring it, Coal fell into a fitful sleep.

Coal was running through the forest, his fur fluffed up in fear. But why was he scared? He had no remembrance of anything chasing him, yet he knew he had to keep running. Trees blurred as he ran past them, and somewhere an owl screeched ahead of him.

The wind howled, an agonizing sound. It suddenly picked up speed, thrashing the trees and leaves around.

Somewhere, off in the distance, cats screamed and cried his name, sounding hurt and terrified. "Help us!" They cried.

Coal ran through the wood faster, and he came to the clearing. He saw the now familiar FlareClan camp, and all around it cats lay bloodied and dying.

He felt fear course through his veins, and he looked around. "Someone! Help!" He cried, taking a step back.

A soft voice suddenly rang out through the clearing .

"Coal, you mustn't leave! Can you not see that the Clan needs you?" The voice demanded.

"Beware though, for the darkness is not always one to fear, whilst the light can not always be trusted."

Coal suddenly snapped awake, breathing sharply and panic fresh in his eyes. "What...?" He asked, his voice dry and cracked. He sat up slowly, wincing as his leg brushed against a sharp stone in the ground. Managing to scoot forwards, he took a long sip from the small stream that ran through the medicine cat's den.

"Bad dream?" A voice asked.

Looking up, he saw Duskfur sitting in a nest nest to his. Her yellow eyes were softer now, and she had a wrap on her foot.

"Look, I'm sorry for being rude earlier. I was in pain, and obviously wasn't on the mood for talking," She explained, twitching her tail awkwardly. "But can you blame me for being rude to you? I mean, you are kind of a... Stranger, and I was brought up to despise your kind."

Coal shifted irritably. "Oh, I'm sorry for being an inconvenience! It must be so hard for you, having a stranger in the camp! Its not like this experience has been hard on me at all!"

Duskfur narrowed her eyes. "I never said it wasn't hard for you! Gah, you are impossible." She snapped, turning her back to him.

Coal just huffed, looking away from Duskfur and out at the camp. It was almost sundown, and soon the moon would be out.

He had always liked the night better than the daytime. Maybe he would practice walking tonight. See how quickly he would be able to recover. See how quickly he could get out of this place.

Suddenly, he remembered his dream.

"Coal! You mustn't leave! This Clan needs you!"