Chapter 2
I drag my paws, one in front of the other. They hurt so much. I didn't think the journey would be this long. I look over to my brother, who seems equally as tired.
"Mom, my paws hurt," River complains to our mother.
"Now, now," she mews. "I'm sure it's not long yet," she brushes her pale ginger tail across River's flank. He sighs, disappointed, and carries on. Sunteller stops abruptly.
"What's happened?" Spark inquires. The tribe stays silent, and i can hear faint rushing of a river.
"A river! Like what the Soul's said!" Oak yowls contently. The elder erupts strained cough.
"Indeed we are, Oak," Sunteller mews. "We are near our destination. You will be able to rest soon, sun cats!" The tribe yowls in excitement. A newfound burst of energy rises in me, and it's like we haven't been walking at all!
's long brown fur above me. "Are we almost there?" I chirp hopefully.
"I think," He replies. "I can see the river now. I'll pick you up and show you," he gently picks me up by my scruff, and I can see the endless moors, and a rushing river. I realise how parched my throat is. "Can I drink some water?"
"In a moment. That river is too strong to drink from. I'll carry you until we get there, alright?"
"Okay,"
The sun burns my pelt, it's heat seeping through my fur, and onto my skin. so hot.
"We shall settle here," Sunteller yowls, "In the cave. Collect some grass and moss, to make some nests. We will hunt later, and rest and eat now."
My father puts me down next to my brother.
"I'm so thirsty," He mews. "I'm going to get a drink from the river,"
"Shouldn't you go with Meadow? Or Owl?" I suggest. "What if something happens?"
"What's the chance of something happening?" I pause. "That's right, less than the chances of something not happening. If you're so worried, just come with me."
I can feel my anger rising. Stupid River! "Fine, I'll come!"
I follow River's grey striped tail to the river. I can hear the harsh rushing of the water. "This isn't a good idea. What if you fall in?"
"Don't be such a scaredy sparrow," he taunts me.
"I'm being serious!" I'm not even enraged by my brother mocking me. "Let's go back!"
"No!" He turns back to me, and he stumbles over something. I can hear him screeching.
I skitter to where River was standing. This wasn't a River. It was a gorge. Words burn in my throat. Everything is a blur. River can't swim...But neither can I! I screech in distress, and Shade is the first to arrive.
"What's wrong, kit? Why are you screaming?" she mews, out of breath. A couple others arrive.
"My brother," I wail, "he fell!" hot tears run down my cheek. The cream she cat leaps into the water, and spot River clinging onto a tree which it's roots are stuck on the walls of the gorge. Eel also jumps into the water, and assists Shade. My mother and father sprint towards me.
"My kit!" My mother cries.
Shade struggles to swim against the current, but manages to get my littermate. They reunite with us.
"Shade, Eel, thank you," My mother sobs, touching noses with both of them.
"It was nothing," Shade mews in reply. "Is the kit alright?"
My father nudges my brother and he doesn't react. "Sunteller!"