The Day the World Moved [November Gathering 2022]

❒ She was almost there! She could hear the small, frightened cries of the kittens and the alarm in the voices of the queens. However, she stopped at a familiar voice. She glanced around her shoulder at the younger cat hurrying over to her. "Crimsonpaw?" Her worried eyes searched him over for any visible injuries, relaxing a bit when she found nothing. She locked her eyes with him and nodded curtly. "Come, then. Let us evacuate the nursery. We must keep the kits and queens as safe as possible."

❒ However, before either could get a move on, a small cry from near the brambles of the nursery caught her attention. That sounded like- Briarrose looked sharply in the direction of the sound. Echokit! But, where was Comfreyheart? She glanced around to the clearing before turning back. There was no sign of the she-cat that had taken Echokit in. She frowned but pushed that thought away for the moment. She'll help Comfrey in keeping Echo safe. She gestured to Crimsonpaw to make a detour with her. They needed to save the kit!

❒ "Echokit!" she called out as she finally spotted the soft kitten being thrown around in the brambles. She made a dash for him and snatched him by the scruff. She then quickly handed him to Crimsonpaw. "Are you okay, dear? Did you get hurt in there?" she questioned with worry as she inspected the light-furred tom-kit. She gave him a few quick licks to comfort him before addressing Crimsonpaw, "Let us hurry to the nursery. Keep Echokit safe. I do not know where Comfreyheart is at the moment." Faintly, she heard her mother order others to help with the nursery and relief flooded the young warrior. The more paws, the better.

❒ Briar turned back and led the way into the nursery, claws still gripping the earth below. She was immediately faced with a gaggle of frightened kits and worried queens. She schooled her expression and said, "Listen! Queens! Gather up your kits—take a moment to count them if you have to—and keep them together. The clan will help you with taking them all to safety. If you believe someone is missing, do not panic. The other warriors are on their way. Keep as calm as you can. Remember to stay low to the ground and dig your claws into the ground to keep your balance." With the queens all somewhat reassured, her eyes began to survey all the faces she could see. She quickly noticed a scared Acornkit trying to hunch into herself, holding onto the ground for dear life. "Acornkit!"

❒ The tortoiseshell molly rushed over to the she-kit and bent down lowly for a moment. "I am here, Acornkit," she soothed while giving her a few reassuring licks, "Everything will be alright. Look, Crimsonpaw has Echokit safe. You will also be safe soon." She gently grabbed the she-kit by her scruff before turning back to the apprentice behind her. She nodded to him and had him leave through the entrance first. The others will be there soon. They'll make sure everyone else is safe.

❒ Briar's eyes softened and her heart clenched at Acornkit's sobs and Echokit's worries. "Nobody knows why this is happening but I can assure you that everyone is doing their best to keep each other safe," she explained as clearly as she could with Acorn hanging carefully from her jaws. She eyed Crimsonpaw and nodded in thanks before quickly answering the she-kit's other question, "Fourtrees. We are heading to Fourtrees. It is where all five clans gather every full moon to share clan news and meet others. However, it will be our sanctuary for now."

❒ Her attention was soon captured by Fawnshine. The young warrior shot the older molly a grateful look as she reassured Echokit that Comfreyheart will be fine. "You will see her soon, Echokit. We will all meet up at Fourtrees so have faith." It came out just as muffled but she hoped he understood her enough. With that, Briarrose signaled to Crimsonpaw to follow her out of the camp. They needed to take the kits to safety as soon as possible. She'll only feel better once her whole clan was at the Gathering place but evacuations like this take caution and time. She just hoped it wouldn't take too long. She glanced at Echokit from her peripheral vision before looking forward again. She also hoped Comfreyheart would be alright, wherever she was. For the sake of the clan, especially Echokit. He needed her.