————— Everything was peaceful in Shadowclan that afternoon. The bright sun shining high in the sky, a cool leafbare breeze blowing throughout the camp, making many leaves from the redwoods fall onto the marshy ground. You could say it was a positively perfect day. But alas, you would be wrong. The sound of heavy pants and mortified yowling of cats broke the serene atmosphere of camp, cats of all ages gathering around the main clearing. Upon hearing the commotion, Echocavern arose from her nest and drowsily trotted out of the den, pushing past a few cats to see what everyone was staring at. And to her despair, her beloved Horizonomen was sprawled out on the ground. His fur muddied and ruffled, tinted red by his own blood. Echo instantly broke down. Tears running down her face as she crumpled to the ground, not caring that every one of her clanmates stood around her. She couldn’t believe it. What had gone wrong? He had just left a few hours ago to go on a small walk in the safety of Shadowclan’s territory like he always did. What could’ve possibly happened? Still laying beside the cold and still body of her dead mate, she heard the whispers of her clanmates discussing what had happened. Those who found him said that a starving and angered fox had found him, and since he was all alone, was easily overpowered. At this announcement, Echo let out a strangled sob. What a way to die. The cat who resembled a fox, slain by his lookalike. At least he died while keeping the fierce predator away from camp, but what if there was a way that he could’ve done so without dying? Thoughts and memories of the ginger tom plagued Echocavern’s mind. She never got up from her place beside Izon, hugging him close and staring up at the sky blankly. She wondered how anyone else in the clan could go on without the strong and charming warrior she had so deeply loved and admired. All she knew was that she wouldn’t. Because, to put it simply, Echo was broken. Broken like a porcelain doll which had fallen off a shelf, or a fragile glass bottle that had been thrown against the ground. And no glue would ever be able to put her back together. —————— So basically, Echocavern’s mate Horizonomen was oofed by an activity check a little while back. His roleplayer hasn’t been active either, so I decided that it was time. Izon was pretty much just taking a small walk in the forest when a hungry fox ambushed him, mortally wounding him and leaving Horizonomen to be found by a passing patrol. Echo doesn’t deal with grief and death very well, and will become very cold and depressed for a little while. Anyone who she considers a friend is welcome to interact with and comfort her until she ultimately feels a lot better. <3 —————
