"Fidgetpaw, are you doing okay?" Flowercloud asked, her body carefully balanced on a thick branch as she looked up towards her apprentice. If he stayed above her… Flowercloud had more of a chance to catch him if he fell. She had also informed the child if he was scared, they'd go back down.
Gaze cast to the side, Fujimoto nearby quietly signaling to Downypaw, before showing him. Though, more advanced, Downypaw needed help nonetheless. She was glad the two were such a good pair, and Fuji, albeit nervous, was doing amazingly throughout the process for the deaf apprentice.
Flowercloud wouldn't have expected any less. A few more branches, and the molly found herself seeing through the branches, the thinning of trees as she purred- chest rumbling at the progress already. Fidgetpaw seemed to be picking things up quickly, and the confidence she put on him was doing wonderful versus feeling put down. She couldn't say she blamed him. It only made sense he was doing worse, now. But now- he actually had a chance.
A sound echoed through the air- a sharp loud noise, and Flowercloud froze. Her blood was sent through her body with a chill as fur stood on end. Her climbing would pass Fidget, a signal to stay put- before- "Fuji- did you hear…"
Her eyes widened as through the trees she saw it. Bodies, Duskpool, Mason, Lostmoon- and dogs, she leaned, trying to see better, but another sharp sound broke her and she snapped into action. Signaling as she spoke, her voice was stern, and her gaze even sterner. "Stay here, do not move. Do not climb down, Fidgetpaw, make sure Downypaw and you stick together." She alerts quickly, guiding her apprentice and Downypaw to the same branch.
Of course there were more dogs. Of course the twolegs couldn't keep the mutts inside even as the cold air bit at her own ears, and her paw pads crushed leaves. "Fuji-" she hissed, quietly. "Dogs, three are cornered, we need to go." She urged. They didn't have time to argue about it. They didn't have time for this.
The molly climbed down without another word, a tree branch swaying as her weight landed on it, before jumping down to another. She moved quickly, skipping steps, skipping breathing- but time was ticking with her heart beating in her ears.
Thud.
Her paws hit the ground.
Thud.
Her body became a blur as she ran.
Thud.
She could smell the wet scent of windclans border.
Thud.
She could hear Duskpool yowling something.
Thud.
Her body broke through the foliage and she raced to the edge of the gorge. Blood lined the area, the scent curling around her nose. Her eyes shot, widened as she shot forward, barely able to stop sliding as she fought against wet grass and barely managed to stop herself at the edge. Teeth snapped to try to grab Wolfstorms scruff, but seconds… seconds too late.
Three cats. Bodies of dogs were falling into the gorge.
Her body pushed harder, following the line, the current. Her screams inaudible to her own ears. Was Fuji still behind her? Were their apprentices safe? Would the dogs be alive and tear her away? Would Duskpool come back?
"Please, please I need him-" she begged, her voice cracking as she ran, tears running - but when they started she didn't know.
"Please, don't take another from me!" She gasped out desperately. Rosebelly… please, she begged her son, as if he could help it. As if he may be able to leave her brother alive.
The bottom of the gorge was empty, the waterfall seeming clear, and Flowerclouds heart still thudded, paws sore, and leaves and branches tangled in her fur. She could sniff all she wanted, but it wasn't until she saw a large pile of fur did she freeze again. Black long fur, body curled in on itself. Her steps were unsteady, her breath caught as she pushed herself forward.
Id never leave y' kiddo.
He promised. He promised right? So he couldn't be- he couldnt-
She pressed her nose in front of his, body frozen. And when no breath escaped him… a wail echoed from the riverside. A caterwaul of a scream of another broken heart. Another broken mind.
Another broken body, that Flowercloud couldn't put back together again.
She didn't know when Fuji came to her side, yet her sobs were muffled, paw covering her face as she pressed toes against her muzzle. "I-i only found Duskpools- d-dusks," she stumbled over her words, her shoulders shaking as she pressed herself lower. "I-i wasn't fast enough, Fuji. I l-lost h-him. I wasn't fast enough for someone, again." her voice wobbled, pressing her body into the mud as she pressed her nose against the black smokes shoulder as if he may take another breath.
"Th-the d-dogs are hopefully d-dead as well, but a p-patrol needs sent out in c-case. Once I g-get him back home. G-go grab the apprentices, I'll… be okay," she said, brushing her tail over the watery mud, curling it over Duskpool.
Her gaze carried over the area, yet… no other bodies were seen.
How was she going to tell Lostmoons children?
@Fujimoto @Downypaw @FIDGETPAW!
flowercloud - 36 moons - skyclan deputy - mentoring none