Hollowpaw, Larkpaw, and Splashpaw padded next to each other. Tonight was the night of the gathering, and they were all going! But they had gone hunting, and were on their way back to camp so they would make it in time for the gathering that night. Larkpaw herself had caught a mouse, not bad!
"Hey, I have an idea!" Larkpaw spoke up.
"What?" Hollowpaw inquired, flicking his tail.
"Let's race," she suggested. "Just so we can make it back to camp quicker."
Splashpaw looked uncertain, and hid her face a bit, as if she wasn't part of the vote at all. While Hollowpaw had a grin on his face, like he was all for a race. It would be fun! Hopefully she would win, so she could brag about it to Hollowpaw and Splashpaw for awhile!
"Okay, I'm down for it," Hollowpaw said smoothly, but his excitement shone in his emerald green eyes.
"S-Sure," Splashpaw stuttered.
"Cool. One, two, three, go!" she yowled, speeding in front of the two. She went as fast as her legs would let her. But soon Hollowpaw sped up to her, and passed her. She hissed and went forward with all her strength. And they were neck and neck. The entrance to WindClan camp was soon visible. She and Hollowpaw were still right beside each other, neither able to pass the other. Right before they ran into the WindClan entrance, Splashpaw raced in front of them, making it into WindClan camp first.
"Wow," Hollowpaw breathed. "You won!"
"I-I guess I did, it's no big deal. It could have easily been one of you," Splashpaw replied.
"Oh, don't be so modest! StarClan knows I wouldn't have been! Good job, Splashpaw," she praised her friend, locking her amber gaze with Splashpaw's. Splashpaw remained silent, but for a second, Larkpaw saw a flicker of joy in her blue gaze.
Challenge for Children of the Shadows. I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out.
