Underneath the shimmering stars, the jagged peaks of Highstones cast a ferocious shadow in the night light. Mothermouth was barely visible amidst the inky blackness, beckoning in Medicine cats of all ages. Though he'd been here before, that last time was hardly a moment to cherish, and a little bit of that fear and negativity made the whole place seem worse. The darkness looked overwhelming an inescapable, while the shadows felt like physical claws looming, ready to strike.
The calico shivered as he stood there alone. While he was a medicine cat, the idea of meeting Starclan frightened him tonight. What if he saw Suntail or Nettlewing? Though he knew Suntail was dead, he didn't need the confirmation that he'd driven his mother to death as well. That all added with Deernose's illness and Ashkit's accident, Gorsepaw didn't know if he could handle such crushing hopelessness. Was he a failure as Medicine cat? Would Starclan refuse to see him for his failure to fix his family, Deernose and Ashkit?
But when he heard the sound of shifting soil and rubble, the calico forcefully shoved everything aside. This wasn't the time for crippling self-doubt, he was a Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice, and was to be the next Medicine cat. If he didn't stand strong and speak to Starclan, who would?
And so he turned to face the newcomer/s, glad to have some company.
