Chapter 3
The heavy drops of rain fell on the dark green leaves of the fern, coating its silky fronds in a fine silvery mist.
Sharkpaw looked at the dark clouds, trying to shake off the constant feeling that something bad was about to happen. Tucking her paws under herself, she though about what had happened on patrol today. The apprentice still hadn't found out the reason for Stormcloud's strange behaviour. After she had led the patrol to Seawing, they had simply moved the markers and gone back to camp. Gazing at the sharp rocks that guarded the camp, Sharkpaw realised with a jolt that a cat was slipping silently between the tall stones. Squinting through the heavy shadows, Sharkpaw realised it was Pelicanfoot. Why would he be out so late? The only reason any cat would be out so late would be to visit Moontree, and Pelicanfoot certainly wasn't the type to make journeys to the sacred tree regularly, or for that matter, unannounced.
Sensing the need for silence, she watched the black and white warrior pad over to the overhanging, curling rock that served as the warrior den. Sharkpaw could practically feel the waves of guilt coming off Pelicanfoot. The warrior glanced once more around the clearing, and flopped down among the rest of the warriors. The young apprentice soon followed him, her sleep interrupted by dreams of clan-mates who turned into Pelicanfoot, who turned into a strange grey tabby she-cat, who turned into an unfamiliar tom……
sssssssssss
Stormcloud stuck her head through the sweeping fronds of the apprentice den.'Dewpaw, Burntpaw and Sharkpaw! Elders duty, now!' The loud mew woke the apprentices. Sharkpaw was still very tired from being awake all night. She blearily
At least the she seems to be back to normal, thought Sharkpaw bitterly. She definitely wasn't looking forward to Elders duty. Sharkpaw sat up to groom herself, every action weary.
'What's wrong with you? You look like you've been hit by a monster!' mewed Dewpaw bluntly.
Sharkpaw glared at her. 'I couldn't sleep, because someone couldn't stop jumping around!'
'Well, she can't have been moving that much, because I got plenty of sleep.' retorted Burntpaw, his reddish coat ruffled.
Flicking her tail disdainfully at the other apprentices, Sharkpaw walked out of the den. Weak sunlight filtered down through the canopy, caressing the apprentices face. Dappled shafts of sunlight gently illuminated the clearing, kits playing in the warm patches. Sighing contentedly, Sharkpaw could not help but think that she had imagined the bad feeling yesterday.