Chapter 6

Instructions

Chapter 6 “Echosight,” I say after we lay in the field for a while. “I have to go. It’s getting dark and I haven't checked in with Hollyheart in a while. Can I meet you here at dawn?” “Of course! you take care of mossclan first, then come find me. But remember the prophecy.” Echosight’s gentle words fade into the wind along with her spirit. Walking into camp, I spot Hollyheart organizing a search patrol. “Hi, Hollyheart.” I timidly say from the brush. “ASPENPAW! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED THE CLAN HAS BEEN?! We thought you ran away. Well, I wouldn't care…” That's Hollyhearts’ way of saying she cares and was worried about me. “I’m sorry Hollyheart, but I had to. I got a message from Spiritclan. I need to leave Mossclan to travel. I need to save the clan.” Hollyheart’s face scrunches in confusion. “Aspenpaw, you need help. You're sick. You’re not ok.” Hollyheart looks worried, worried for my health. “Hollyheart I swear on Spiritclan I'm telling the truth. I was visited by the spirit of Echosight. She had a prophecy! I need to go!” My voice starts to raise and it squeaks with panic. Hollyheart sighs. “At least take some travel herbs. Remember your training. BE SAFE. Stay away from uprights. If you hear a loud noise around them, RUN.” Hollyheart’s eyes harden and brim with tears. “I will. Look after Mossclan. Get an apprentice to help you if you need it.” I eat a few herbs and curl into my den, awaiting dawn. A sweet apple scent beckons me out of my dreams and into the morning. The sun has barely risen above the horizon by the time I reach Tallgrass. Echosight is waiting for me. “Hey you! Ready to head out?” She gestures to the forest with her tail. “Yep! Let's go!” I'm excited to adventure with Echosight, even if she isn’t really with me. As we wander off territory, I catch a rabbit to eat. I need energy. As I clean the bones of the last scraps of meat, I see a robin. Everything comes crashing back. The crack of ice, the splash of Echosight falling in, the horror that engulfed me. I’m so overcome with panic and grief I have to lay down. “Aspenpaw? Are you okay?” Echosight’s soothing voice washes over me like rain washing away muddy pawprints. “Y-yeah.” I mumble as I start to walk again. “Hey. It wasn’t your fault. I went back to get the robin.” Her voice is calm but firm. I don’t say anything. “Do we know where we’re going?” I look at the unfamiliar woods surrounding us, seemingly closing in. “Not really!” She beams at me and trots on. I follow close behind. “I think we need to travel north. I can just feel it. There’s also a strange scent I can't quite place coming from that direction, so maybe that’s it?” We veer north and continue our steady pace. Before long, the oak and birch turns to spruce. The trees loom so far overhead, I can't tell where they end and the sky begins. While gazing up, I hear a snap. I whip my head down just in time to see a dark blur spring from the brush, press its claws against my throat, and pin me to the forest floor.