Inside, Froststar had awoken to the sound of talking outside from Berrykit. “What did I tell you about leaving the nursery?” She scolded, grooming the dirt off of Berrykit’s head with her rough tongue. “I just wanted a peek!” Berrykit complained, trying to squirm away from her mother, “It’s so boring in here!” Froststar licked the top of Berrykit’s head. “If it means you being out of harm’s way, I don’t care if it’s boring.” Her eyes flashed with pain, the thought of her first litter clouded her mind with grief. Berrykit felt weird, she flipped over and faced her mother. She reached up with her paws and placed them on Froststar’s muzzle. She pulled her mother’s face close and nuzzled her.

Froststar purred, licked Berrykit’s nose. Berrykit giggled and squirmed away. “Catch me!” She called, running around the nursery. Froststar sighed and heaved herself onto her paws. She slowly chased Berrykit. Berrykit sprinted out of the nursery and to the entrance to the camp. She didn’t hear the sound of Froststar’s yowl. Berrykit sprinted out to the border, “Catch me! Catch me-” Her mewl was cut short as she tripped, hitting her chin on a strange ground. She looked below her paws and saw a weird, dark, hard, earth. It has a strange odor to it. The ground started to rumble as a massive dark shape came hurtling down the black ground. She squeaked in fear as Froststar crashed through the bushes with a terrified yowl. Berrykit turned to hear as and stumbled toward her mother. A pain shot up her body as the feeling in her tail disappeared. She looked back, the beast roared past her, and her tail had been crushed. She yowled in fear, staring at her mother, who shared the same terrified look.

Froststar pulled Berrykit close to her, sobbing into her fur. “My beautiful kit!” She picked her up by the scruff and carried Berrykit to the medicine den.

oof ty