TW: Sensitive Content Open Backwritten ShadowClan what doesn't kill you — apprentices return

[Fleapaw]

{$title} Fleapaw was attacked by coyotes while out in the territory. She returns to camp with Tickpaw and Sealpaw, alive but injured.

TRIGGER WARNING

Descriptions of shock and throwing up.

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// takes place after this thread

Everything tilted—shadows tangled with light, the marsh a smudge of green and brown and black that bled together with every jostling step.

She could hardly feel at all anymore. The fire trailing up her leg quenched, replaced by dull needles. Her mouth tasted of metal, tongue felt too thick to fit between the gaps of her teeth. Her throat clenched with nausea.

Somewhere along the way, she couldn't hold it anymore. Bile welled up her throat, and she stopped to empty the contents of her stomach. Her gut wrenched with every heave until tears streamed down her cheeks and she was completely flushed.

The forest floor dipped and tilted beneath her with every blink. She leaned heavily against the bodies that cradled her, teeth bared, wide pupils boring ahead. The warmth of her brother and sister she could've recognized in pitch darkness, but the other—a spotted pelt—blue eyes creased with worry. Sealpaw. Fleapaw decided she didn't have the energy to figure out why they were helping her.

A cool sensation continued to trickle down her leg, caking around her paws. She didn't look, sure that the sight of her mangled leg would make her hurl again. A small black nose twitched, soaking in the approaching scent of cats—of camp.

The apprentice should've been relieved to reach their destination, but dread stirred. She braced herself for a rush of questions. "Tick..." Fleapaw croaks, hoping he understands what would be asked of him next. Much as she hates leaving it all to her brother, she doesn't have the strength right now to face it alone.

@Sealpaw @Tickpaw @webpaw

Coyote, I'm treading water

FLEAPAW

10 MOONS
SHE/HER
- Undersized cinnamon solid with folded ears. She's thin but stubby with very messy fur.
"SPEECH" - crimson | 'THOUGHTS/EMPHASIS' - crimson

Fleapaw values family the most with survival at a close second. In conversations, she is blunt, fun-loving, and clever. She is guided by her desires which often leads her astray. Despite her abrasive personality, she cares deeply for those she loves and will do anything to protect them. Due to her experiences, Fleapaw is corrupt and has minimalistic, if any, morals. She does not care for the warrior code and its restraints. Neither does she believe in StarClan. Growing up in a kitten mill, being separated from her mother, and ending up on the streets have deeply affected her view of the world.

Don't lead me straight to the slaughter

 

[webpaw]

Webpaw had always seen Fleapaw as something unstoppable. Like her tiny form was invincible to harm, her visible ribs as armor. Her heartbeat landed in her paws, every step sending her stomach twisting further into knots. She watched her sister's injured leg struggle alongside her, as if it were only attached and not a limb.

"You look so bad," she whispered, finally looking away from the gory sight. "But we're here. And you're alive."

Flank-to-flank, Webpaw could almost feel Fleapaw's heart racing. She met Tickpaw's eyes on the other end of the line, nodding with resolution at her brother. His words would come better explained. They stunk of coyote, vomit and far too much blood. All she wished for was to skip in time, where they were all huddled in the apprentice's den with the scent of herbs and sleep.