Broken Love

by Crystal Amour

Thornpaw, Streampaw and Silverpaw are all apprentices in Stormclan. This is their story of love, tragedy and adventure. First part of the two story series, Broken Love and Lost Hearts. How will they manage when their whole clan is killed, and they must find their way to re-make the clan among hurt and romance.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Part one:
Thornpaw's POV~

I looked into the darkness, trying to sense if there was anything in there. Reassured, I entered. Streampaw followed me. The two apprentices from Shellclan, Darkpaw and Snowpaw had already entered.

The four of us crept along a long passage in the dark, the muddy floor squishing under our toes. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed that the passage we were in split into five at the end.

Snowpaw darted into one, and Darkpaw chose the opposite tunnel. Streampaw and I ran into two of the remaining ones.

Seperated from the others, I crept along in the darkness. Many tunnels intercepted mine, and I tried to head upwards and toward the light. Sometimes the tunnels turned around, and more often then naught, I found myself heading downwards again.

At last, after what seemed like moons, I saw light coming from a hole. I dashed out into the sunlight. Cloudstar ran over.

"Congratulations, Thornfire!" he said. "You have completed the rite and are the first apprentice out!" I stared at the other holes. Somehow, I'd thought that Streampaw would be waiting for me.

"Streampaw..." I whispered. She just had to make it out, she had to! For Silverpaw and me. If she didn't...

Chapter 4: Part two:
Snowpaw's POV~

I followed the long, dark, muddy tunnel, taking only turns that went up. The tunnel was muddy and wet on the floor, and the walls were covered with scratches and moss. I looked ahead of me.

Then, I saw a hole that could lead me out. So I ran through, not even looking beneath me. I dropped down, down, to the stone floor far below. I heard the crack of bone as it broke.

I limped here and there, twisting and turning, taking every tunnel I could find, but none led me up and out. I was trapped, deep down underground in the dark.

"Help me!" I screamed again and again. No one answered. "Please." I whimpered.

Then, I heard it. A rushing, splashing sound. I knew that sound. Mudflow! I stared in horror. A mudflow, underground! It would trap me!

I was stunned as I saw the big muddy river flowing down the passage toward me. I turned and limped as fast as I could down another tunnel, but it was a dead end. All I could do was watch as the water closed in and I saw no more.