Post by Shadowstalker on Nov 16, 2011 21:20:31 GMT -5
(Note: I'm sorry I kept you waiting; I've had a busy week. Enjoy!)
Darkheart shuffled his paws nervously. Blackleaf had entered the den only moments ago, but it felt like hours. Riversong looked equally anxious, her tail-tip twitching.
Suddenly a whimper and snarl was heard in the cave. Riversong's tail went ridged with shock as Blackleaf bolted out of the cave, screeching, "Run!"
Darkheart needed no second invitaion. He fled after the black tom, hoping Riversong was following. Behind him came more snarling sounds, and the pounding of paws heavier than any cat rapidly gaining on them. Darkheart wondered vaugley if he would even reach the river. Ahead of him, he could see Blackleaf. Blood flowed from deep claw marks in his shoulder. The wound weakening him, he was slowing slightly. By now the roar of the river got louder. But the coyote was still hard on their paws, rapidly gaining each pawstep.
They finally reached the banks of the river. Only now did Darkheart looked behind him to see if Riversong was following. The silver she-cat burst from the woods, with only two fox-lengths between her and the coyote.
"To the stepping stones!" Blackleaf yowled.
Darkheart wondered if the black tom had gone mad. There was no way they could cross the stepping stones fast and safe enough. But it was either take the risk, or die for sure. Darkheart knew which one he'd take.
Sprinting head-long for the stepping stones, he almost fell into the river as his paw caught in a bank hole. When he reached the first stone, he leaped and hoped he would land safely.
Darkheart's paws nearly slipped out from under him when he landed, but he managed to retain his balance. He took another jump to the next one. And the next one.
Blackleaf was three stones ahead of him, and a quick glance back told Darkheart Riversong was right behind him. The Coyote was smart, though. It picked it's way to the first stepping stone. Darkheart suddenly realized it could follow them, maybe not quite as fast, but nonetheless.
Up ahead, Darkheart saw another patrol of cats on the far shore, led by a cat called Alderblossom. The cats were yowling something, but they were just too far away to make out what they said.
Darkheart braced himself to jump to the next stone. His heart lurched as his paws slipped from under him. Sliding sideways, he fell into the water with a splash. His head crashed against the stone, the world went white and blue around him, and then blackness closed over his vision.
Darkheart shuffled his paws nervously. Blackleaf had entered the den only moments ago, but it felt like hours. Riversong looked equally anxious, her tail-tip twitching.
Suddenly a whimper and snarl was heard in the cave. Riversong's tail went ridged with shock as Blackleaf bolted out of the cave, screeching, "Run!"
Darkheart needed no second invitaion. He fled after the black tom, hoping Riversong was following. Behind him came more snarling sounds, and the pounding of paws heavier than any cat rapidly gaining on them. Darkheart wondered vaugley if he would even reach the river. Ahead of him, he could see Blackleaf. Blood flowed from deep claw marks in his shoulder. The wound weakening him, he was slowing slightly. By now the roar of the river got louder. But the coyote was still hard on their paws, rapidly gaining each pawstep.
They finally reached the banks of the river. Only now did Darkheart looked behind him to see if Riversong was following. The silver she-cat burst from the woods, with only two fox-lengths between her and the coyote.
"To the stepping stones!" Blackleaf yowled.
Darkheart wondered if the black tom had gone mad. There was no way they could cross the stepping stones fast and safe enough. But it was either take the risk, or die for sure. Darkheart knew which one he'd take.
Sprinting head-long for the stepping stones, he almost fell into the river as his paw caught in a bank hole. When he reached the first stone, he leaped and hoped he would land safely.
Darkheart's paws nearly slipped out from under him when he landed, but he managed to retain his balance. He took another jump to the next one. And the next one.
Blackleaf was three stones ahead of him, and a quick glance back told Darkheart Riversong was right behind him. The Coyote was smart, though. It picked it's way to the first stepping stone. Darkheart suddenly realized it could follow them, maybe not quite as fast, but nonetheless.
Up ahead, Darkheart saw another patrol of cats on the far shore, led by a cat called Alderblossom. The cats were yowling something, but they were just too far away to make out what they said.
Darkheart braced himself to jump to the next stone. His heart lurched as his paws slipped from under him. Sliding sideways, he fell into the water with a splash. His head crashed against the stone, the world went white and blue around him, and then blackness closed over his vision.
)
