The tom crouched, his ears pricked for any sign of movement. He was going to be the best fighter in all of WindClan- maybe the best fighter that ever lived. Yes, he could see it now. Cats telling stories about his swiftness in battle, how he spilled his enemy's blood, oh yes, he was going to be a legend. The tom imagined his Clan cheering his name as Stormstar honored his courage…
"You're day-dreaming again, Redpaw!" A shrill voice interrupted his thoughts. The tom growled as he saw his brother give him a look of amusement. "We're supposed to be hunting, not imaginin' that we're birds flyin' off into yonder!"
"I was just preparing to catch a vole- when you interrupted me, Stonepaw!" Redpaw snarled back.
"What vole? I don't smell no vole! You're just makin' up excuses again!" Stonepaw snorted as he gave his silver fur a lick. "And we're not even suppose' to be outa camp, ya know! Apprentices ain't suppose' to be out of camp without a mentor!"
"But I wanted to hunt! Eggheart wouldn't let me! It's not fair; Bumblepaw and Smudgepaw got to go on a patrol twice in the last quarter moon!" Redpaw scuffed the dirt below him with a ginger paw, as if he imagined it was Eggheart himself. "And I'm going to catch something, even if it's the last thing I do!"
"We were only apprenticed a moon ago!" Stonepaw retorted, fluffing up his fur. "We're breakin' Stormstar's orders, and ya know it!" The tom turned around and began to walk towards the direction of the camp.
"Where do you think you're going?" Redpaw meowed, giving his brother a cold glare.
"Back to camp." Stonepaw replied flatly. "And if you know what's good for ya, you'd join me."
"Never! You're no fun anyways!" Redpaw snapped.
"Fine." Stonepaw mewed. "See you later, than." And without saying another word, the tom turned tail and bolted up the tall grassy hills.
Who does Stonepaw think he is, bossing me around like that? Redpaw thought. I'll just do something fun without him… something no apprentice in this Clan has done! A wide grin spread across the ginger tom's face. I'll go to the broken half-bridge! Yes, that's what I'll do! And I'll catch a fish while I'm at it! Who says a WindClan cat can't catch a fish?
Redpaw turned his head toward the lake. The sun was beginning to set. He had to be quick if he wanted to get back to camp unnoticed.
I'll show them. He thought to himself. I'll show them all.
-At the half-bridge-
"Almost… got one… almost…" The tom hissed to himself. His amazing plan was already proving to be a failure. Perhaps he should have gone back with Stonepaw.
Never. Redpaw shook the thought away. He crouched further, slipping even closer to the edge of the broken bridge. Beyond the waters, he could see several boats, and even further on was the Clan of fish-faces.
A small black shape suddenly darted in front of him. "Got it!" Redpaw screeched, shoving both paws into the murky water. Suddenly, he felt as if he were being dragged down. The water seemed to be coming closer to his face. Gushing liquid filled his mouth, and he frantically waved his paws around, trying to find a grip or something to grab onto. But there was no luck.
I'm going to die! He thought to himself. I'm sorry Stonepaw! I'm sorry for leaving the camp! I should have listened! Please don't let me die now! Not now! As black splotches began to fill his vision, he could see a small shape above him.
StarClan has come for me! Redpaw thought, letting his paws relax as he continued to float to the bottom of the lake.