The Story of Snow: Chapter 40

Instructions

~Warnings: Depression, Death/murder, fear, blood, a touch of anxiety~ Snowpelt walked the path of the patrol in silence, watching the ground rather than Skylight’s gray pelt in front of her. She hadn't been paying attention to where they were going, or who else was on the patrol. It didn’t matter. Once this was over, she could go hunting, and then she could sleep again. At least they were headed back to camp now. Snowpelt almost didn't notice when Skylight fell back to walk next to her, saying “Hey.” Snowpelt gave her a quick glance and flicked her tail to show she heard her. Skylight sighed and said “Snowpelt. You can't do this forever.” ‘She needs to stop involving herself. She doesn't understand.’ Shadow whispered. Snowpelt sighed and muttered “I don't want to talk.” Skylight replied “Its been four moons.” “Don't remind me.” Snowpelt responded quietly. Four moons since her mate and kits had died, since her family had been ripped away from her. Her kits would be apprentices now. She and Stormcloud would be patrolling and hunting together. Her kits would have had their first gathering in a few days. Would they have made friends there? Now Snowpelt would never know. They were gone. It was Whitestar’s fault. All. Her. Fault. Snowpelt flinched as Skylight's tail touched her back. Skylight sighed, then said “You can't wallow in your grief forever.” ‘She can't tell you what to do.’ “Stop trying to tell me what to do.” Snowpelt snapped at her. Skylight gave her a look, then sighed and said “Alright. Fine.” And started walking ahead again. Snowpelt sighed, her gaze falling back to the ground. Guilt flickered, but was pushed away as Shadow said ‘She deserves to be snapped at. How can she expect you to be ok? You lost everything. She would never understand.’ But- ‘But what? She can’t help you. She can’t fix this. She’d only try to stop you. You need your revenge.’ Snowpelt let out a sigh. Shadow was right. Shadow was always right. Snowpelt let her mind fall back into silence again. As the patrol came into sight of the camp entrance, Snowpelt saw a flash of white and she looked up, seeing Whitestar leaving camp. ‘This is our chance. We can bring back our old friends for this piece of revenge.’ Snowpelt looked up and watched Whitestar slip out of sight, into the woods. Snowpelt muttered “I’m going hunting.” And split away from the group, not caring if anyone heard her. As soon as she was out of sight, Snowpelt took a breath, found Whitestar’s scent, and began following. Shadow spoke ‘When we see her, but before she sees us, go into the trees. Just like last time.’ Oh. Oh. Their ‘old friends’. The foxes. Were they even still around? No one had spotted or scented them. ‘They left for a time, but they’ve wandered their way back to the territories.’ Snowpelt nodded, that made sense. She followed Whitestar’s scent trail until she came to the edge of a clearing Whitestar laid down in, her eyes slamming shut, her paws covering her ears. She looked… stressed? Overwhelmed? Snowpelt hovered at the edge of the clearing, out of sight, watching as Whitestar laid in the clearing. Maybe she should- ‘This is your chance.’ Shadow snapped ‘Get in the trees. Call the foxes. Don’t hesitate.’ Snowpelt jumped slightly at Shadow’s tone, then nodded, letting her anger come back. Whitestar killed her mate, killed her kits. This was all her fault. She deserved to die for what she did. Snowpelt turned and climbed into a tree, carefully moving among the leaves of mid new-leaf until she had a good view. Shadow whispered ‘Now.’ Snowpelt took a deep breath, then let out a high whistle. Snowpelt froze as she waited. Where were they? What if Shadow was wrong? ‘Just wait.’ Shadow reassured. Whitestar let out a breath, then started to get up, only to freeze when the sound of loud, heavy, racing paws came through the clearing. Snowpelt let out a breath. There they were. The first fox entered the clearing, its gaping maw already open and growling as its companions entered as well. Whitestar let out a shriek and tried to run, only for one of the foxes to dart out and grab her, its teeth sinking into her fur. Snowpelt started to relax, it was working. Then a flash of grey erupted from the trees and rammed into the fox with Whitestar in its jaws, causing it to drop her in surprise. The gray cat landed on her paws and Snowpelt froze as she realized who it was.