Chapter 5
Today, I asked Bloodfur if I could go hunting for a mouse or two, but was accompanied by Fawnpaw and Lilypaw. Whiterain had insisted we try to get along, and that we learn to work hard, together. Okey-dokey then.
Evidently, I'm watching Fawnpaw climb a tree.
Just after we ran out the gorse tunnel, with not-so-happy looks on our faces, Lilypaw had dared me to try to climb higher than her or Fawnpaw, and of course, I said yes. Or really, "I guess you guys never learn, I'll have to show you up again, huh?"
So, here we are. Fawnpaw insisted he go first, and I let him. Right now, he's a little ways up there, steadily getting higher and higher.
"C'mon Fawnpaw!" I hissed at him from below, I couldn't see his expression from here, but I heard him take in an angry breath. "You can do better than that!"
He was now dangerously high, and I had begun to worry. Not for his sake, but if he falls and gets hurt, it's Lilypaw and I's fault.
"Hey, uh, Fawnpaw, you can come down now," I tried, but he didn't listen. "it's almost time for us to be heading back."
Lilypaw snickered, "Shut up Beechpaw, you're just worried you'll have to climb that high."
"I am not-"
Suddenly, I heard a snap, then several snaps. Lilypaw was staring behind me, her eyes wide. The world seemed in slow motion when I realized;
Fawnpaw was falling.
"Fawnpaw no!" Before I looked, I heard a thud- no, it was a crack. A crack of bone. Fawnpaw's bone. I turned to Lilypaw, and mewed, "Lilypaw, go get help. Tell Barksong that Fawnpaw fell from the tree and probably broke something."
She listened without saying anything, and ran in the direction of camp, her face plastered with worry and determination. I slowly looked at Fawnpaw's body, lying limp on the forest floor. I walked over and layed down next to him stiffly. His eyes were open when I came over, and he looked at me.
"Beechpaw?"
I really felt bad now, his voice was so innocent and young and, even a little confused.
"Yeah?"
"What happened? I can't feel my leg."
My heart seemed to drown in some feeling that may have been: I'm sorry but all I can think about is how much trouble I'll be in after this, and I'm totally going to hate myself for this the rest of my life after this nightmare is over, if it ever ends, that is.
"It'll be ok Fawnpaw, you're fine."
From behind me, I heard the paw steps of many cats, and their fear-scent was strong.
I didn't leave Fawnpaw's side until Barksong came over to inspect him, and instructed some warriors to take him back to camp. I didn't want to ask if he would be all right, or what the extent of his injuries were, so instead, I waited outside the medicine den with the cats grouping there.
After a while, Barksong and Peachstar walked out, their faces grave. Our leader leapt up to the Highrock and called, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting."
A few cats came out of their dens, eager to hear Fawnpaw's condition. Peachstar began, "I'm sure you're all aware of what's happened today, but for those of you who aren't, Fawnpaw fell climbing a tree today, and his rear right leg is broken."
Hollowroot, Fawnpaw's mother, gasped and rushed into the medicine den, she hadn't been here for Fawnpaw's arrival, and was out hunting just before.
Peachstar continued, "Barksong has said he cannot have any visitors until tomorrow, he must rest." He leapt off the Highrock, and to make me feel more miserable, he headed in Bloodfur's direction, then in mine.
When he reached me, he sighed, then said, "I have listened to Lilypaw's side of the story, I'd like to hear yours now, Beechpaw. Be honest, you aren't in trouble."
Who would've though the lie of the century would've come from my clan leader?