Owlpaw's Starclan Dream

When the young tom entered the den, Fawnsong rushed to meet him. The medicine cat apprentice first checked on where Raisha's claws had reached the tom's skin, making sure they were healing correctly. Once that was over, he met his eyes. "It seems like you're completely healed. So, without further delay, let's start." With a motion of his tail, the ginger tabby guided the apprentice into the depths of the den, where a moss bed was waiting for Owlpaw. "Eat these herbs. They will help you sleep. Make yourself comfortable." The tom took his place in a nearby moss bed and curled his tail around his body. Once Owlpaw had followed his instructions, he mewed: "I warn you: don't expect much from this night. You may see Starclan or not. Just know that it isn't your fault...". It is mine... He thought bitterly to himself.

Owlpaw's eyes were cautious and distant as he padded into the medicine den, closing his eyes and allowing Fawnsong to look over him without any protest. He barely felt the marks anymore... though he wished the pain would never go away. It was the only thing he had left of that night... the last physical connection to Swiftspirit's final moments.

A constant, white-hot rage burned within the young tom, but he refused to let it show. Even now, in the safety and warmth of the medicine den, he felt it sizzling beneath his pale coat, threatening to break free and consume him. No words were spoken as he followed the medicine cat to the nest that had been made for him... and he looked over it with poorly disguised disgust. He didn't want to talk to StarClan... not now, not ever. Besides, the invaders said that StarClan was dead... and they'd never said or threatened something that had not been true, or followed through. Owlpaw looked up, meeting Fawnsong's gaze and nodding when the tom told him to eat the herbs.

He scooped them up and chewed, mouth watering at the bitter taste, but swallowed with no complaint before settling down into the nest and tucking his paws beneath him. He didn't expect anything from this... but there was no sense in arguing the point. If anything, he'd get a good nap in.

...

It wasn't hard for him to fall asleep. Exhaustion plagued the young tom, dragging him into darkness, and when he opened his eyes, he was... in the medicine den. Alone. Where had Fawnsong gone? Owlpaw got to all fours and curiosity spurred him forward, outside the den. It was dark, still night time, and there in the center, the pale coat of his mother. Owlpaw froze, Swiftspirit's name on his lips, but before he could take another step, lightning flashed in the sky, and the twisted, horrifying silhouette of Raisha crept forward. She lifted a paw, slashing down on his mother, and Owlpaw felt blood splatter across his face. He opened his mouth to scream again, but there was no sound, only the vicelike grip of claws around his head.

The young tom awakened in a frenzy, chest heaving, eyes and ears swiveling as he looked around, identifying his surroundings... the medicine den, again, but this time he wasn't alone. Fawnsong was there. No StarClan vision... just another nightmare. Owlpaw swallowed, slowly his breathing returned to normal, and he finally looked up to meet the medicine cat's gaze with pale eyes full of fear. "I... is that it, then?" he asked sullenly. "Can I go?"