Not A Coward [Open- Death Topic]

The past few moons had gone by with little care shown from the apprentice. After the day of Wasppaw's death, Harrier had started to closed himself off from everyone as each day began and ended, even refusing to interact much with his family. He skipped a lot of the clan meetings but forced himself to remain aware of the clan's happenings. He couldn't be left in total darkness...just in case. His reason for pushing others away? He just wasn't used to so much change in such a little amount of time and it threw him for a loop. It didn't help that he was still an apprentice. His twin had earned his warrior name a while back and Harrier was left in the dust. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't even the tiniest bit bitter and jealous at that. He pushed those negative feelings away though. It was best if he didn't dwell on them. It wasn't healthy. Who was he even kidding? It wasn't as if the rest of his decisions were healthy. Tsk.

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Breathing in the crisp and rather chilly dawn air, the large tom made his way out into the territory with no particular goal or reason in mind. He was just feeling a bit stuffy in the camp and thought it'd be best to get out of there and clear his head. The faster he could get that done, the more tolerable the day would become. At this point, that's what kept him trudging everyday. It was a plus that out in the territory, he wouldn't have to talk to anyone much, if at all. He was free to dream and desire.

As predicted, he hadn't run into anyone. It made sense since it was quite early and most of his clanmates were blissfully asleep. Harrierpaw relished in the peace and lazily wandered around, eyes glazed over and staring off into the distance, almost as if there was something there that only he could see. No particular thought crossed his hazy brain. Whatever came to mind was what he decided to ponder. He was so used to these daily outings that he no longer had to think about where he was heading to. His paws were in total control and he never minded wherever he ended up, as long as he wasn't putting himself in danger of course.

It took about another ten minutes or so for his legs to stop. He snapped out of his daze and looked around. It was just another uninteresting part of the territory. Nothing of note really. He huffed and made himself comfortable near the base of one of the nearby trees. He let out a drawn out sigh as he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander freely, fluffy tail wrapping neatly as to provide extra warmth for what would most likely be a long while of relaxation without moving much...at least it's what he was hoping for. Life had something else much, much less desired in store for the young, unsuspecting tom.

The tranquility didn't even last long before the first signs that something wasn't right had made themselves known. It started with a peculiarly strong rustle among the bushes behind the tree he was resting under. He didn't pay any mind since most of the foliage was moving every which way due to the wind that had recently picked up. Not long after, a foul scent began to permeate the area making his nose wrinkle and his eyes to twitch behind his eyelids. His whiskers twitched and his claws unsheathed themselves out of caution. The apprentice still hadn't opened his eyes yet but he was surly starting to feel a sense of foreboding. He wasn't willing to abandon his peace quite yet but it was close.

It took a particularly deep and heavy rumble then a startling shuffle for his eyes to snap open and his fur to stand on end. He was now on high alert however, it was already too late. He couldn't even turn his head to look behind him let alone stand before a large figure swiped a quick yet heavy paw his direction that had him tumbling harshly where he eventually stopped an impressive amount of fox-lengths away from his original spot. The tom landed with a gasp, wind having been knocked clean out of him. What in Starclan's name?? He attempted to scramble up onto his paws but was tackled down yet again, this time by the creature's whole body. A pained yowl was ripped out of him as he landed on his right shoulder at an odd angle. Stars danced among his vision as he desperately tried to regain his breath and stand. It was then where he caught his first glimpse of his attacker. The black and white fur was a dead giveaway. A badger had seen his unsuspecting form and decided he would make an easy meal. Seeing his current situation, it was starting to look like it's dreams would become a reality. Harrierpaw had to run and run now but his body had trouble cooperating.

The tom shakily forced his body to stand and began to limp away as quick as he could but not before yelling for help in hopes that he'd be assisted soon. It was a decent effort of escaping but it just wasn't enough. Another large paw came down on him and he crumpled down into the unforgiving ground below. He shuttered and let out a silent cry as he felt his shoulder's previous wound flare up and double in pain. It was surly broken or at the very least nearly there. He felt his chest constrict as reality finally set in. There was nobody close by and he was somewhat down a leg. Even if he could run, he couldn't just go back to camp. That'll lead it straight to his clanmates who were probably still asleep or just drowsily getting ready for the day. No. He couldn't let that happen. He just needed to hold out until the patrols were sent out and he could call for help. However, deep in his heart, he knew that he wouldn't make it out of this. His chances were slim and just the thought of never seeing his family again caused his eyes to mist up and his throat to tightened. He'd been a foolish tom and he regretted how he'd acted toward everyone. He hoped that his family and clan would forgive his recent attitude. Would they even care that he'd die? He wasn't so sure but he still held hope that he could still be saved so he could properly ask them and also apologize.

It took him great effort to stand but he managed, albeit shakily, and he turned to face the large beast. His face contorted into a snarl, golden gaze glaring at the badger with so much hatred, as if it had been the source of all his troubles. He was tired of cowering. This wasn't like him! He was no coward! He was going to get his hits in even if it cost him his life. He was adamant to go out fighting or not at all. He'll keep himself standing just to spite this stupid monster. A brief flash of his family crossed his mind before a determined smirk took over his maw. "Just so you know, you aren't getting out of this unscathed if I have anything to say about this." he growled as he arched his back to make himself look bigger, eyes staring into the badger's without wavering. There was no going back now...

They were both at a standstill and it dragged on for a few more moments before anyone had made a move. Luckily, he was the one to break the trance as he lunged at the bigger being with claws ready to slash and shred at whatever flesh he could reach. He made sure to aim at it's face foremost. If he could blind it then that'd be a great advantage.

He made contact and wasted no time to use his sharp claws to rake it across the muzzle. He yowled and ducked below the furious paw that had been thrown his way. He got up onto his hind legs and used both front paws to slash it's nose over and over until it snarled and was forced to look away lest it allow him to continue his barrage. He grinned menacingly and lunged forward again and bit down as hard as he could on it's shoulder with the intent to repay the painful injury in his own shoulder he'd received from it earlier. The adrenaline was now thankfully in full force and that pain was now replaced with a distant throbbing with the occasional sharp stabs but he paid it no mind. He couldn't afford to anyway.

The creature shrieked at the attack and slammed a paw onto him that caused him to release his hold. He felt slightly winded, back now aching mercilessly. He growled and attached his jaws to it's cheek and used his claws to try and scramble onto it. He wanted a better reach at it's eyes. He managed to slash right below it's right eye before it began to try and shake him off. He growled and released his jaws from it's face and scrambled up on it's back, the large apprentice's eyes crazed with desperation. He dug his claws deep as to refrain from being thrown off. He made his way to it's head and resumed his quick swipes with the hope of finally blinding it. His heart thumped harshly against his chest when he heard it cry out and he felt his claws find their target. He had only gotten one before he was thrown right off with force. He slammed right into a tree and he yowled, tears beginning to form in his eyes without his consent. That had hurt like nothing else. He was dizzy and his energy was beginning to wane. He needed some time to recover. He took a few seconds to think out his options before settling on using the tree. He shakily rolled himself upright and heaved his body upright. He sunk his claws into the bark and tried his hardest to climb up but before he could even gain much height, an agonizing pain shot though his tail and into the rest of his body and he was forced to release his claws and drop back down. He looked back in freight and noticed the badger's jaws closed on his tail. A wave of terror passed through him before he found his courage again and used it's proximity to try and roughen up it's face again. It succeeded somewhat but not enough in getting himself loose. He had made it angrier and as a result, it yanked him by the tail away from the tree and right under it. He whimpered in pain as he desperately tried to scramble away but to no avail. Dear Starclan!

It raised a paw and brought it down upon his side and he was once again winded, the tom's eyes becoming wide and unseeing. It momentarily released it's hold on his tail but before Harrier could even process this, his left hind leg was clamped down instead. The apprentice went frigid in pain and more tears slid down his face. He couldn't give up even if he was tempted to! He had to keep fighting!

With his spirit somewhat renewed, the cat screeched and began to furiously rake his claws across it's face and chin wherever he could reach. His eyes were blinded with tears but he couldn't stop. In an attempt to get him to stop his relentless attacks, the badger shook him around by the leg. The world began to spin around him but he didn't quit. At some point he was certain the badger had snapped his leg but his head was too muddled to even react. He just kept it going. He was running out of steam but he was hoping to bring it down with him, or at least slow it enough so his clanmates could catch it and kill it later on. It was the last thing he could do before he was finished off.

After a few more shakes, the beast tossed him and he landed with a wheeze. He won't be able to handle much more of this. He could already feel his body shutting off and his breaths becoming ragged and forced. One last time he lifted himself weakly. he only managed to sit up just enough to stare at the lumbering figure that was bringing his demise as it approached. Plenty of thoughts raced through his head and the world seemed to slow around him. He silently apologized to his mother and siblings for pushing them away. He apologized to his mentor and his friends for his lackluster attempts at being an apprentice and a friend respectively. He apologized to his clan as a whole for not being better.

Harrierpaw's breaths stuttered as he eyed the badger. He had one more trick to try but he had already accepted his fate. Just before it's paw came down onto his weak body for the last time, he used what little energy he had left to leap up just enough for his jaws to clamp down into what he hoped was it's neck. The tom was certain that this wasn't going to kill it but at least he tried to wear it down. He bit down even harder, determined to hang on for dear life, even after death. It wasn't going to get rid of him that easily. With those final thoughts passing by, the deadly paw finally made contact and he felt a blinding pain encompass his entire body. He was sure that had torn or broken something inside of him but then it was promptly replaced by a buzzing numbness. His final mission was accomplished seeing as his jaws continued to stubbornly hold on. His vision began to darken quicker than he would've liked but there was nothing he could do. At least he could no longer feel much of anything but the last thing he did feel was himself smiling through the fur and flesh and blood his jaws were enclosed on. As the final rays of light disappeared from sight he thought back to every moment of his life and it was honestly bittersweet. With a silent chuckle, the tom drew in his last breath.