Flamepaw pressed her body to the ground. The tom before her was scarred and had his blood stained teeth bared. Flamepaw flinched as she saw two more ragged cats appear from the bony trees.

"Scared much?" The tom turned towards the approaching cats, "Such a kit!"

Flamepaw managed a small hiss, but it was overrun by the tom's loud snarl. The other cats formed a circle around her, spitting and mocking her. Flamepaw flattened herself even farther, pressing her ears against her head. Come on Flamepaw! You have a destiny to fulfill, and if it's to die in this place, so be it!

Letting out a screech, Flamepaw launched herself onto the unprepared dark tom. He collapsed to the ground, legs flailing. The other cats stood rigid, shock showing on their faces.

The tom's pelt smelled like crowfood, making Flamepaw retch, but she sunk her claws into his flank. Once the tom was on the ground, Flamepaw sunk her teeth into his neck, his blood gurgling in in his throat. The tom couldn't even fight back. He opened his mouth to say something, then fell limp.

Flamepaw let out a yowl of triumph. She felt... powerful. Her claws were curled into the slimy earth. Her muscles bulging underneath her muddy pelt. She lashed her tail, and whipped around to face the other cats. They stared wide eyed at the apprentice, mouths gaping.

"Who's next?" Flamepaw snarled. She felt as if she could face any one, or anything. She spat out a clump of bloody fur from her opponent, then shook out her fur.

Flamepaw's eyes grew round as a dark brown tabby tom with ice blue eyes padded forward, "You killed my loyal apprentice!"

Flamepaw licked her fangs, her fur standing on end,"And I'll kill you too if you don't let me go."

The tom tilted his head, then turned towards the others,"Go, I'll handle her." He whipped around to face Flamepaw. "You fight well for someone so inexperienced." He remarked.

Flamepaw growled,"Are you going to let me go or not? Because if you don't, don't think I won't fight you."

The tom chuckled, "Oh, I'll let you go, but I think we'll meet again very soon." Flamepaw flicked her ears,"What is your name, before I leave?"

The tom dipped his broad head, then meowed, "Hawkfrost. My name is Hawkfrost."

…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…~…

Flamepaw woke up with a jolt. She looked around wildly at her surroundings. Her previous dream clouded her mind. The feeling of blood between her claws. The sound of ripping flesh. The body limp before her paws.

I killed a cat! Hopefully, it was just a normal dream. Flamepaw snorted, I don't think "normal" is a part of my destiny!

Suddenly, Flamepaw remembered the fire. Great Starclan! I fell off the ravine and I'm still alive?!

Flamepaw, still lying on the ground, examined her pelt. An uncountable number of burns scattered her body. A long gash stretched across her shoulder. Flamepaw tilted her head. She peered closer at her wounds. A sharp smell lingered on her pelt. Though her wounds burned, it wasn't as intense as it should have been, considering what she had endured.

Flamepaw squinted. A greenish yellow substance seeped out of the wound, and it wasn't infection. Flamepaw sniffed, and the pungent smell of herbs filled her nostrils.

Herbs! How in the name of Starclan did I get herbs on my pelt?

Realization sparked in her eyes. These herbs didn't mysteriously appear on her pelt. Flamepaw gasped, Someone had to put them there.

Flamepaw looked around her. She wasn't in the ravine, at least not anymore. She was underneath what looked like a large tree root. The root seemed to have provided shelter, from the heavy pounding rain. Flamepaw struggled to stand. If someone has been tending to my wounds, maybe they are still here.

Flamepaw stepped outside. The rain immediately soaked her pelt, sending a chill down her spine. She blinked the rain from her eyes and scanned the surrounding trees. No one. No one at all.

Whoever helped me saved my life. If only I knew who they were....