Silentpaw huddled with the other apprentices on the bank, wind cold and chilling. On the opposite the ashfields sat looking as dreary and dead as usual. The sky was grey like paint water as Lizardglare paced up and down the bank, surveying the water in the river.

Nightstar was sitting by herself on a higher bank overseeing the events as various mentors chatted, talking about where they'd marshall the race just in case someone was to start drowning.

He wondered why Nighstar wanted to watch so badly. It was the second day of the competition: swimming. First up was a river race. The top 4 cats who won that would have a final race in the sea. Cloudfang had been monitoring him almost all morning, telling him what to do in the water, how not to drown, how to actually swim.

They were all valid concerns though, he thought Nighstar was mad to expect him to compete. Personally he thought he was a bit young to be going to Starclan. Nighstar seemingly disagreed.

Gingerpaw was shivering next to him, she'd moved around a lot and Silentpaw was wondering if she didn't want to sit near him. Her fur was fluffing up each time the wind whistled across the reeds. She must have been warmer than him with all that fur. Part of him believed it was nerves, she'd been making jokes about drowning before her voice faded out and she didn't say much else.

Shadedpaw had tried to comfort her, saying she was a better swimmer than she thought, saying that it wasn't that hard. Silentpaw didn't think she believed him. He wanted to make her feel better, but all he could do was give a gentle nudge.

"Apprentices, if I could have your attention" Lizardglare announced, approaching the group. His eyes were narrowed and unreadable as per usual. "The race will start shortly, everyone starts on the sandbank in the river upstream and finishes by the mouth on the river"

Silentpaw turned his head, the sandbank upstream looked quite far away from where they were sat. "Your mentors are on hand in case anyone gets into trouble. If you could make your way to the starting line" The deputy gestured towards the sandbank. Glowpaw, Treepaw, Shadedpaw, Rabbitpaw and Tigerpaw all bound off, leaving Gingerpaw and Silentpaw to follow reluctantly behind them.

Water flowed around Gingerpaw's feet, pooling under her belly. It was deathly cold, the water temperature was worse than the air.

In line with the rest of the apprentices she couldn't help but feel like all eyes were on her. She kept awkwardly making eye contact, she'd done it with Crabfang (he smiled encouragingly), Nighstar, Silentpaw. What riled her is when her eyes accidentally locked with Brambledip as he sat on the bank ahead of her.

The tom must have seen the pure panic in her eyes because he started laughing to himself and shaking his head. She growled, anger making her chest feel tight. She tried to remember what Crabfang had said to her when they last went swimming, how she was better than she thought. She wanted to win this now, or at least look like she could swim, just to wipe that smile off Brambledip's face.

If anything she just wants to annoy him by doing well.

She stared ahead, eyes fixed on the water. Keep your legs straight, toes together, head above water, breathe.

"Ready!" Lizardglare shouted as he nodded to Ghostfalcon as she perched by the river mouth.

The other apprentices stopped talking, getting ready to go. Gingerpaw was already ready. "Set! GO!"

All at once everyone was moving. Gingerpaw pushed off the sandbank, feeling her body wobble as her paws could no longer touch the river bed. She felt herself dip but with grim determination to spite Brambledip, she managed to keep her head above water. Shadedpaw and Treepaw were ahead of her, she wasn't prepared to risk looking back to see where Glowpaw, Silentpaw, Rabbitpaw and Tigerpaw were.

Feeling more assured that she wouldn't sink to the bottom like a rock, she concentrated on putting as much power as possible into her paw stroke. One, two, one two, one two. Crabfang was cheering her on from the bank. It was a little embarrassing as no one else was doing it. At least someone had faith in her.

She realised as she began to overtake Treepaw that she was beginning to drift away from the main group. Fear began to grip at her as some force pulled her away from the group. She hadn't been warned of an under current, none of them had. She yelled out for help as she was rapidly dragged under, water rushing around and into her ears and mouth, her coat dragging her down as the water tossed and turned.

She opened her eyes and through the murky water she could see a black mass with blue eyes. The water caused her to do a somersault and she clenched her eyes shut again, bubbles streaming from her nose as she fought the urge to gasp for air.

When she opened her eyes briefly again she knew Silentpaw had either come to save her, or he too had been caught in the current. His paws stretched out towards her and she screamed for air, the last of her lungs capacity floating away from her. Silentpaw looked behind him, his mouth opening and a gurgling noise escaping as if he'd seen something ungodly.

A small tabby she-cat who she didn't recognise, with fearful yellow eyes, looked back at her.

Reviewer response:

Mintflight0245: Thank you again for leaving so many reviews! I'm not really sure how to respond because of how many there are, so I'll respond to the last few.

Succulentsofa: Yay Silentpaw gets a taste for the warrior life. Glowpaw deserved to be disqualified, he's a cheating stinky man. I wouldn't trust Nightstar's intentions either (probably because I already know why she's doing it). Dividing the apprentices through competition is a good theory though

Raintear: I'm glad your enjoying it!

ButterScotchTape: An interesting theory, Lilytail is heavily associated with memories and dreams. However whenever Silentpaw is close to a place of spiritual importance to Starclan communication with Lilytail becomes very difficult. Silentpaw's dream wasn't a memory or dream caused by Lilytail, however it was related to her via the ashfields.

I think It's safe to say this is the shortest chapter so far, it's only 930 words, which is surprising as I can normally get 1,000 words per chapter. I must have created too short of a plan, I can never tell if I've planned too much or too little per chapter.

Question of the chapter: Who's the she cat? (lets face it you probably already know). Why is the she-cat there?