Scarlet River

Scarlet River P1

The moon was a sliver in the sky, only dimly shining on a winter night. Darkness clung to the snow-covered forest below; deep shadows lying beneath the bare, black branches. Through thick swathes of snow a young cat struggled forward. Her head barely cleared the surface of the cold, white substance, and her brown, silver-striped coat was plastered to her sides, revealing a jutting ribcage. She had been running for many suns and moons now, relying on instinct and a darker resource...one that the kit tried hard to ignore. 
She took another faltering step, her paws numb. I have to get help. She thought faintly. Her next paw-step slipped, and she fell into the icy drifts, weakly shivering. Through half-closed eyes, she stared up through the bare arms of the trees. The sky was dark and clouded, the claw-like moon half covered. She struggled to stand, but there was no strength left in her thin, bony legs. After pushing herself for moons, she had finally reached the end. I can't die here...I can't. Mom, Cloud...someone help me...I need...to...

Her vision was fading, her thoughts drifting away. Slowly, the white snow was engulfed in darkness.

For a moment, the kit did not know where she was. She dimly recalled collapsing into the snow, but it seemed she had somehow survived. For the first time in what felt like forever, the kit did not feel the constant ache of hunger in her stomach. A warm draft ruffled her fluffy coat. Cat scent drifted on the breeze, tickling her nose. Opening her eyes, the kitten found herself in a clearing, the encircling trees heavy with leaves, and the sound of prey rustling around her. Where am I? Wasn't it winter? 
The she-kit struggled to her paws and looked around, confusion clouding her thoughts.
"Do not be afraid."
The kitten turned quickly to face the speaker, claws unsheathed and fur on end. A beautiful tabby cat stood before her, fur seeming to radiate light. The she-cat's blue eyes were like deep pools, and the kit found herself drowning in their calm depths.

"Where am I?" the kit managed, and felt a prick of surprise. Her voice should have been rough from misuse.
"You are safe." The she-cat said, ignoring her question. "You have died, however there is still much for you to do, if you are willing to return."

The kitten staggered backwards, blue-green eyes wide.

"I'm dead?! Wh-what do you mean?!" Heart thumping with fear, her thoughts became scattered, I can't! I told myself I wouldn't die until I'd found them again! She stared up at the tabby desperately, "I need to go back! Let me go back, now!"

Blue eyes soft, the she-cat mewed,

"It is within my power to do just that. Use this life wisely...I cannot do this again. Will you keep this promise?"

The clearing was blurring, the strange cat's words growing faint.

"I will! Just please...I need to find them...need..." Her head was spinning now, and she stumbled.

"Rest kit. Help is here." The she-cat bent her slender neck forward and touched the kit's forehead. Warmth spread through her body, and she closed her eyes.

"Is she dead? Her body is cold!"
"Where did she come from?"
"Quiet, both of you! She's obviously a lost kit. There's no scent of any clan on her...We best bring her back to camp. Lightstar will know what to do."
"She's moving!"
The kit slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the sudden bright sunlight. As her pupils narrowed, adjusting, she made out the outline of three silhouettes. Her vision cleared. The largest silhouette was a ginger tom, his fur flecked with white. The two smaller shapes were a young silver she-cat and a brown tabby tom.
"Hello kit, where did you come from?" The ginger asked gently.
The kit's first instinct was to run from these strange cats as fast as possible. However, the moment she attempted to stand, her legs gave out and she toppled into the snow once again. The ginger extended a paw in concern, but the kit hissed in fear, and he withdrew. All three strangers stared in shock.