Moth Flight’s Vision

She hurried down the slope, leaving Dust Muzzle and Spotted Fur to follow with Wind Runner. As she neared the bottom, where the Thunderpath cut through the grass, she slowed. Monster stench stung her eyes and burned her throat.

The ground trembled beneath her paws. She watched the gaps between monsters, trying to judge whether there would be enough time to get Wind Runner between them.

When she glanced back, her heart sank. Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle were still near the top of the slope. She’ll never be fast enough! Heart racing, she pelted toward them, circling as she reached them. Wind Runner hardly seemed to focus her gaze. Moth Flight thrust her muzzle close, smelling the rank stench of infection in her mother’s breath. Then she saw blood seeping from the wound in her neck. Rain dripped from her fur, reddened by her blood. I should have brought cobwebs! Moth Flight cursed herself for being so dumb.

“How’s she doing?” she asked Dust Muzzle.

Wind Runner paused and lifted her gaze hazily. “I’m doing okay,” she rasped.

It was strange for Moth Flight to see her mother so weak.

She’d always seemed stronger than any cat.

Dust Muzzle exchanged a look with Moth Flight. She saw fear flash in his eyes as he glimpsed the busy Thunderpath.

“We’ll never get her across there!”

“We have to,” Moth Flight told him.

Spotted Fur narrowed his eyes. “If we get the timing right, we could just do it.”

Moth Flight looked at him hopefully.

“We might have to stop in the middle,” he added.

“Stop in the middle?” Moth Flight could hardly believe her ears.

Dust Muzzle was following Spotted Fur’s gaze. “There’s a narrow channel where the monsters pass each other. If they don’t touch each other, they won’t touch us.”

Moth Flight’s belly twisted with fear as she realized they’d have to try. It was their only chance. “Okay.” She turned toward the Thunderpath and headed slowly toward it.

She could hear her mother’s breathing as she struggled to keep up. Wind Runner was fighting for every breath. Her injured hind paw was tucked beneath her. Moth Flight couldn’t imagine the pain that compelled her to keep it from trailing along the ground.

She fixed her thoughts ahead before fear could overwhelm her. We’re going to do this!

As they neared the Thunderpath, she began to judge the gaps between the monsters once more. As the rain grew heavier, the monsters seemed to slow, the gaps between them widening.

“Come on!” They had to cross while the rain was at its heaviest. She crouched at the edge of the black stone, screwing up her eyes as a monster hurtled past. Filthy water arced like a wave over her back and sprayed Spotted Fur, Dust Muzzle, and Wind Runner as they caught up.

“Give me a moment to catch my breath,” Wind Runner growled. She slumped as Dust Muzzle stepped away, her flanks heaving.

Moth Flight leaned close to her muzzle. “I hope I can be as brave as you one day.”

Wind Runner lifted her gaze. “You already are.”

“Let’s go!” Dust Muzzle nosed Moth Flight away, pressing hard against Wind Runner. A wide gap had opened between two monsters.

This was their chance. Moth Flight hopped onto the Thunderpath, pausing to make sure Wind Runner was following. Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle half carried the WindClan leader onto the stone. Wind Runner fought to find her paws. “I can do this!” she hissed through gritted teeth. Shaking the toms away, she limped forward. Moth Flight turned to face the oncoming monster. It pounded toward them, its eyes flaring.

Another monster hurtled toward them from the other direction.

“Wait here!” Spotted Fur screeched, throwing himself against Wind Runner. Moth Flight ducked into her mother. Dust

Muzzle pressed against them. Moth Flight screwed up her eyes, and her heart seemed to burst as the two monsters screamed past on either side. Foul water drenched her pelt as the ground shook beneath her paws.

“Move!” Dust Muzzle’s order was sharp.

Moth Flight opened her eyes and saw that the way to the far side was clear.

Wind Runner straightened with a groan of pain and hobbled toward the verge. Spotted Fur pushed his shoulder beneath her and urged her on. The roar of another monster screamed in Moth Flight’s ears. She turned her head, blinded by the glare of its eyes.

“Don’t look! Run!” Dust Muzzle shoved her forward and she stumbled over the edge of the Thunderpath, collapsing onto the muddy grass beyond as the paw of a monster whisked past her tail. The wind from its passing tugged her dripping fur.

“Wind Runner!” She looked around, fear shrilling through her. Wind Runner was lying on the grass a tail-length ahead.

Spotted Fur half cradled her against his belly. He struggled from beneath her. “I fell,” he grunted, shaking rainwater from his fur. Dust Muzzle hurried to help Wind Runner to her paws.