Name of Challenge: Icy Rivers

Forum: DawnClan

Word Requirement: 450 minimum

Word Count: 676

Written By: Sage

"I cannot believe you convinced me to do this." Pebblekit gaped at the dark, foaming river inches from her paws.

Birchkit looked at his sister, pretending to be hurt, "What are you talking about? This is a great plan! We'll give those ThunderClan maggots what they deserve!"

Pebblekit winced when she saw a huge branch being swept through the river like it weighed as much as a... pebble. "Two kits swimming across a raging river in the dead of night , then proclaiming the Sunningrocks in the name of RiverClan. AND YOU TELL ME THAT IS A GREAT PLAN!?"

"Pebblekit, relax! We're RiverClan cats, born for swimming in the river. What could go wrong?"

"A lot. we could drown, we could get in trouble, we could get attacked by ThunderClan, we could-"

"Stop it!" Birchkit cried, "What are the chances? Now, are you going to be a brave warrior or a scardy-trout fish eye!"

Pebblekit wavered. He's right, I need to be brave. I'm doing this for my clan! "Ok, I'm ready." The fluffy gray she-cat stared at the murky, swirling water. "You go first!"

Birchkit rolled his eyes, "Fine, scardy-trout!" he stuck a white paw in the river and instantly withdrew it. "It's a little cold…" he said smoothly, but his teeth were chattering.

Pebblekit smirked, "Go, on, don't be scared!"

Birchkit growled and jumped into the river.

His mouth flew open in a soundless wail as the water beat him back and forth, pulling him every which way, filling his mouth with cold, dirty water.

"Birchkit!" Pebblekit screamed. She ran along the river bank, chasing her brother. The water was pulling him under, sucking the breath from his lungs.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" an eerie shriek peirced her ears as her brother bashed into a looming boulder. I have to save him, but I'll die in that river! Pebblekit thought. No, I won't be scared, I'll save him, no matter what it costs me.

And with that in mind, she plunged into the river.

Cold. Freezing cold, stealing the breath from her lungs, pulling her down, down, down, into the foaming mass of waves. Suddenly, a feeble white shape bumped into her.

Birchkit. Birchkit, I have to save him! Pebblekit fought the water, pumping her legs back and forth. She grasped his soggy scuff and hauled him toward the shore. Pebblekit could feel a faint beat against her pelt. He's alive! Maybe things will turn out ok after all!

The shore was closer now, only a couple of tail lengths away. Pebblekit found it easier to manipulate the water, steering away from rocks and resisting the pull of undercurrents.

Smack.

A wave slapped her back, knocking the breath out if her and pushing her down, under into the murky black bottom. Her grip on Birchkit loosened, and he soon slipped away. Pebblekit could barely register loss of her brother, her mind was already distant.

Water rushed down her throat, scorching her lungs and sending ripples or terror her spine. I'm dying! Pebblekit realized with a flash of horror.

Black spots started appearing in front of her eyes, lulling her closer to the quiet, peaceful black void that was spreading out below her. Her mind was wiped of all thoughts, except one. If I go into that hole, I'll be with my brother.

Pebblekit stopped struggling, and she floated slowly to the big, black hole. The burning in her throat began to fade. The trickle of dread began to stop. If I go into that hole, I'll be with my brother. I'll be with my brother. My brother. My brother. My brother.

Peace. Calm. Quiet. Joy. Pebblekit blinked open her eyes. Her brother was standing over her, a smile spreading across his face. His pelt was laced with starlight, and within his brown eyes twinkled wisdom, love, and respect.

"I'm dead. We're dead." Pebblekit murmured.

"Yes," Birchkit laid his tail on her shoulder, "but we died like warriors."