Fall of the Panther || Chapter 2 Part 1

Instructions

The camp went silent. The clouds overhead felt like a weight, pressing down on the camp as the cats struggled to process what was happening in front of them. Brownflash’s ragged breathing broke the silence, and she didn’t elaborate any further, clearly in critical condition from whatever had happened out there in the forest. Locustburn was the first to make a move, walking swiftly over to Brownflash and helping her up. She helped her into the medicine cat den and onto a mossy rock, supporting the warrior’s limping form. The clearing was still in shock, no one daring to speak up. Finally, Shimmersnow broke the vigil. “M-Mistlefern is… dead? Are you sure?” She asked, walking into the medicine cat den slowly. Pantherstar followed her, dazed. Brownflash looked at the two she-cats, fur still standing on end. “Yes, I’m sure. I-I don’t know how she died, but…” she broke off into a cough. Locustburn hushed her and applied some already-prepared comfrey to her throat. She turned to Shimmersnow and Pantherstar, trembling, but her voice was firm. “I think we should give her some space.” She spoke, ushering the two worried cats out of the den. Shimmersnow knew the medicine cat was right, but she wanted answers. What had really happened out there? _______________________________________________ Brownflash gasped, sitting upright and then letting out a soft groan of pain. Judging from her sticky eyes and moonlight shining through the den entrance, she had dozed off. Her nightmare recounted what had happened earlier that day, and she shivered, the events replaying in her head, even though she desperately tried to forget them. Brownflash had gotten up early that morning and skipped out happily. With a good night’s rest, she felt spry and ready to hunt. Perhaps she would go on a solo patrol! She scampered to the edge of the camp and was about to crawl out when she heard Mistlefern. “Good morning, Brown—” she yawned, “—flash. Where are you going?” Brownflash giggled at her yawn. “I was just thinking I could go out to hunt for a bit. Want to come? Though I doubt you’d make it very far, sleepyhead.” She teased. Mistlefern flicked her with her tail and grinned. “Alright, alright, I’m awake. Someone has to make sure you don’t wander into trouble!” She said, leading Brownflash out of camp. Brownflash rolled her eyes and followed. The fresh air was refreshing, to say the least. It felt good to stretch out again, especially since Brownflash hadn’t really been outside since they constructed the camp. And that was half a MOON ago! A chance to hunt was just what she needed. She crashed into Mistlefern a few pawlengths down the hill that led to the river. “Hey, what did you stop for? I was having a blast—” Mistlefern cut her off with a flick of her ear. “Hush, I heard something.” Brownflash quieted, looking around for any sign of movement. Now that she focused on their surroundings, there was a slight odor coming from up ahead. Her eyes widened as she registered what was happening, a moment too late. “Oh, no…” she whispered. “WATCH OUT!” Mistlefern shoved Brownflash out of the way just as a smallish rogue shot out from the bushes. Brownflash immediately got to her feet, scanning wildly around to assess the situation. “What do you want from us?!” She yowled, then froze when she saw Mistlefern’s unmoving body. “M-Mistlefern..?” She gasped. The rogue had recovered from the crash and was standing over her now-limp body.