Hey again everyone! Thanks to all y'all who reviewed the last chapter: allygirl56, Firefrost and Flamepelt, Lu-oka-na-mi, and Crescent of Night.
But let's see, what do I want to say about the story… Well, I'm very pleased with the way it's come out. It's my newest story, so it's my best in terms of writing alone. Also, I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. Some of the chapters are long, some are really short. It's just the way the writing ended up.
Short as it is, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Not too exciting, but I did try to explain Ashfur's side of it too (pain and rage bordering on dementia). However, this is Holly's story, so I don't focus on him too much.
PS- I put a new poll on my profile out of boredom, so you can check it out.
…
Hollypaw was a mess for the next few days, everyone noticed. She stumbled into camp mid-morning, mumbling something about feeling sick to her stomach. Leafpool escorted her to the medicine den where Hollypaw promptly threw up.
She remained in the medicine den for a few days, using the excuse of bellyache to hide from her duties. She avoided everyone, even her own family, sitting alone in Leafpool's den as she wrestled with her emotions.
Shame was probably the strongest. She was so sickened by what Ashfur had done it took all of her strength not to vomit every time she ate. Fear was another big one, too. Would he actually ruin her life if she told anyone? What if someone did find out, would they look at her as a disgrace? And worst, what if Ashfur came back for her? The thought was always on the edge f her mind. Confusion was there, as well as disgust, anger, helplessness, and hate. Her thoughts were a tangled mass, and Hollypaw spent her time trying to unravel them.
Eventually she felt well enough to return to the apprentices' den. Lionpaw was glad to have her back, though Jaypaw still seemed suspicious. Hollypaw knew he could walk in the dreams of others, and so she did everything she could to make sure he, and everyone else, never found out.
Unlike Hollypaw, Ashfur was in a particularly good mood. He had been quite cheerful the past few days, but no one knew why…
The gray tom knew. After forcing some of his pain on Hollypaw, his heart felt a little lighter. And since the she-cat was Squirrelflight's daughter, all the better that she suffer. It was almost as good as hurting Squirrelflight. Ashfur grinned humorlessly, his mind forming new plans.