Chapter Two

Echopaw awoke early the next morning. Sunlight streamed into the den. The warmth of the light cutting into the coldness pricked some vague, distant memory at the back of her mind, but she couldn't figure out why the sensation was so familiar.

She looked over at Bramblepaw's nest and saw that he was still asleep. She quietly left the den and let the light of dawn stream over her, filling her and chasing off the hidden shadows of sleep.

Mistyrain saw Echopaw and beckoned her over to where she was sitting with Flamingsun. "We were just discussing your assessment," she called in greeting.

Echopaw hurried over to the two mentors. "You really think Bramblepaw and I are ready to become warriors?"

Flamingsun exchanged a glance with Mistyrain. "Not Bramblepaw," he said slowly.

"What?" Echopaw was wide awake now. "Bramblepaw is just as skilled as I am!"

Flamingsun shook his head, irritated; Mistyrain at least had the sense to look ashamed.

"We just don't think he's ready," Echopaw's mentor replied awkwardly.

"But he's just as experienced as I am!"

Flamingsun growled, surprising Echopaw. "We feel that he isn't quite as mature as you are," he said gruffly. "Bramblepaw isn't ready to be a warrior yet, and that's final."

Echopaw's mind was whirling. She had dreamed of becoming a warrior with Bramblepaw for so long . . . "Then I won't be a warrior either," she blurted.

Mistyrain looked alarmed. "What? But Echopaw, you've worked so hard!"

"So has Bramblepaw," she insisted. "If he doesn't become a warrior, neither do I." She turned and trotted over to where the Clan deputy, Sharpnettle, was arranging patrols. "Can I go out with a hunting patrol?" she asked him.

The brown tom glanced at her. "Sure, Echopaw. You can go with Mosspelt and Redlily." He turned back to the other warriors and immediately got into an argument with one of them. "No, Clawpelt, you can't catch a robin by growing wings and following it all over the territory!" he said angrily.

Echopaw hurried over to where Redlily was waiting. "Sharpnettle said I could join you. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Redlily said warmly. "We could always use some more paws. Ready to go, Mosspelt?" she called to the young gray tom, who had been talking with a group of other young warriors.

"I'm ready," he said, meowing a goodbye to his friends. "Where should we hunt first?"

"How about the old Twoleg nest?" Echopaw suggested. "No one's been there for a while."

Redlily nodded her approval. "Good idea. Let's go."

As Echopaw followed the two warriors out into their territory, she felt a pang of unease. Why won't they let Bramblepaw be a warrior? she thought. It makes no sense. He's just as ready as I am.

She pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to concentrate on the scents in the air. It was going to be a long day.

The day is getting closer.

I can feel it. I just know something is going to happen soon. I cannot explain it; it is a feeling that I have deep in my heart. My heart is telling me that an escape will open itself to me soon.

For now, though, I must still stay here, abiding by the rules of cats with shadowed minds. However, the darkness does not seem so complete as this ray of hope pushes its way through me, coursing through my veins like my very blood.

Maybe I can save myself.

I whisper these words aloud. My voice is hoarse from having remained silent for so long; all the same, the words seem to have a deeper meaning than I can yet understand.

My death was not a pleasant one. I had gone out with my denmate and our mentors; we, as apprentices, were on a mission to become warriors. We were trapped by shadowy cats who wanted to kill us. I sacrificed myself to save my denmate. I would do anything to be able to go back and save myself from this fate, as long as I could still save him too.

I should not have spoken.

The shadows are pressing in, and it feels like they are slowly suffocating me. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, reminding myself that fear will only crush me if I let it. I have learned a few things from being here for so long.

Sure enough, a heartbeat later I can breathe normally again. The shadows still block the edges of my vision, but they are no longer surrounding me.

I am safe, for now.

There is no telling how long I will remain safe, though. I know they want to weaken me. They want me to fail and give into their dark ambitions. I must not give in!

I must remain strong. I cannot let them know how deeply they affect me in my weaker times. It feels like the shadows want to lead me to a better place, where fears do not exist. These are all lies. I know that if I give in, I will be under their control.

I will not give in.