Highpaw wasn't sure her heart was beating as Dawnstar announce that Sandykit would become an apprentice, and gave her the name Sandypaw.
The clan reluctantly cheered for her, somewhat saddened by the loss of one of their kits. They all doubted that she would survive. Even Highpaw did, but then she remembered Sandstar. Had she not appeared to her in a dream, promising to fix the odd ways of the clan? But to what. What would the new rules even be?
Highpaw was so busy with her thoughts, she barely noticed Sandypaw walking up to her until she squeaked a hello. Highpaw gazed at her with big eyes. Why did she have to die?
"Is everything alright?"
"No."
Highpaw didn't speak to Sandypaw anymore that day. They were both officially apprentices and therefor could talk to each other, but...Highpaw was just too saddened at the thought of Sandypaw's death. She was going to die. Training here was hard. They needed to get out.
Highpaw shook her head. Get out of the clan? Why did she think that? Clearly, she needed to...to...obey the rules...
It turns out, Highpaw is terrible at following rules. Distracted by her own thoughts, Highpaw found herself accidently disobeying a few rules, earning her more scars on her pelt.
Applepelt, her mentor, was saddened to see how their pelts were beginning to match.
Highpaw suddenly realized that life would never get better here while hunting. She accidently ran head first into a tree while chasing a squirrel.
That night, she did talk to Sandypaw.
"We have to get out of here."
Sandypaw didn't question it, and followed her as she sneaked out of the secret exit that 'only' apprentices knew about. The moon was high in the sky as the pair exited clan territory. A cold wind blew across Highpaw's nearly bare shoulders.
"Are you sure?"
"Never been more sure in my life."
The two walked with their backs towards the clan. They were not coming back until they had a way to fix the clan's ways.
