Timber

➶prologue

      It started with a falling tree that crushed one of their own. It seemed so impossible, the large tree tipping, crashing down to the earth with a sound close to the loudest, booming thunder during storms.

      It was as simple as the roots loosening from the recent rainfall, the buffeting wind careening between the trees, but it wasn't simple at all.

      The she-cat flattened her ears, eyes stinging from the cold drizzle of rain carried by the heavy wind. Her paws squelched in the mud, sinking with each paw step as she parted her jaws to try and smell prey.

      The clan was hungry and she wouldn't let them starve. Even if it meant being out in the harsh weather.

      It was when she caught the very faint scent of mouse on the wind that she sped up, pausing to try and locate it.

      That was her biggest mistake. With a jagged bolt of lightning in the distance and booming thunder, a creaking sound jolted the she-cat from her senses as she looked around, trying to find the source of the deafening noise. She began to doubt her little expedition, knowing she shouldn't have snuck out of the camp. She could have went hunting later.

      She was frozen with terror, and that's when she saw it, the tree toppling down, leaves and branches snapping as they brushed past others.

      A terrified noise came from her as she turned to flee, but she was too late. With a sickening shriek, the she-cat was gone, crushed into the earth by the massive trunk. She never got to say goodbye.

     It was instant, her bones fracturing from the impact, a pool of blood to be washed away by the pounding rain.

      When their clanmate turned up missing, they assumed she was taking refuge from the storm elsewhere. She, of course, always did irrational things. Nervous chatter filled the camp, but none knew where the brave she-cat could be.

      Later into the day, the rain had eased to a light drizzle. The clan was able to arise from their dens, stretching their tight, sore muscles from being bunched in, jostled together.

      It was the she-cat's mate who brought up the idea of a search party. So that's what they did. They were led by Elmclaw, who couldn't be convinced to sit out the search for, Cardinalpelt.

Searching high and low they shouted her name. "Cardinalpelt! Cardinalpelt!" It only ricocheted off the trees with no answer except for the chirping of birds emerging from their nests in search of food.

They checked under brambles and bushes alike, into burrows made by rabbits and abandoned fox dens. Elmclaw was frantic, his muscles tense and eyes rounded with uncontrollable worry as he dashed ahead, unrelenting.

The rest of the patrol checked his tracks again, making sure he hadn't missed a sign of her, maybe a rift of red fur or her scent still left behind despite the rain. They sped up when they heard a grief-stricken wail rise up from ahead.

They sprinted forward, leaves skidding under their paws as they veered between trees, nearly bumping into each other when the cat in front came to an abrupt stop. That's when they saw the fallen tree.

They could not console the tom as he crumpled to the ground, sobs racking his body heavily as he ripped up the grass beneath him.

A russet clump of fur was caught on the ground in front of him, sodden from the rain.

——

With the news of Cardinalpelt's death, the clan mourned. Unable to shift the tree to salvage her broken body, they had nothing to bury. Elmclaw was beyond distraught. He couldn't seem to take care of himself and it showed from his ragged pelt to his dwindling size.

"I know the recent news of Cardinalpelt's death has shocked us all.." Their leader began, head dipped low. "But with our ancestors guidance, she will make it to the stars for her kind deeds."

"She should have never died." Elmclaw spat, his eyes flaming with grief.

Their kits, now apprentices, Moosepaw and Eveningpaw, sat on each of his sides, trying to offer comfort to their father. Moosepaw sniffled, the usually tough tom had been close to his mother.

"It's very unfortunate that she had to go," The leader responded, trying to keep her voice diplomatic and her tone even. "She was a great asset to the clan."

Elmclaw said no more, head dipped low as Eveningpaw nuzzled her muzzle into the fur of his flank.

——

After Cardinalpelt's death, everything went downhill. There were more unexplainable deaths that left the clan in shambles with grief flooding the camp.

"We will not stand seeing another one of our clanmates die!" Creekstar called, her sharp, wise gaze sweeping the clan. "We will leave, find a new home, abandon all of this misfortune. Our warrior ancestors have betrayed us."

Her last statement chilled the clan and they cast nervous glances between each other, pelts bristling with terror or excitement for this new chance.

"We depart at once!" Creekstar called, leaping from her high perch. It took the old she-cat a minute to steady herself, joints creaking, but she set a steady pace. Flicking her tail as a signal to follow, the cats trailed after her, some of the braver felines taking a spot in the front near their leader. No one seemed to notice the dark brown tom that stayed behind, his eyes burning with contempt as he watched his fleeing clanmates.

It was the beginning of a series of very unfortunate events.