Scorching (o)

Minkpaw was the best. Therefore, she couldn’t give any less than 100%. She’d been busy all day. Patrol. Hunt. Train. Back on patrol. Cats like her didn’t need rest.

But now… now the small black cat lay stretched out in camp, panting in the heat. She’d gotten a bit dizzy and sick on her last patrol and figured she should see Sleepycloud. But the ground was so inviting…

She didn’t make it as far as the medicine den, so here she was now, panting as the camp spun around her.

Feral Speak
Forest Speak

Her only friend had left her for the apprentices den! Sure she had her cousins, but Petalkit missed making Minkpaw do all the stupid things she wanted her to do. Why wasn’t she an apprentice? They were quite literally the same age, and Petalkit knew she’d be a great apprentice. Was it mama? Was she the reason she was going to die of boredom? It didn’t matter, Minkpaw would be back soon and then the speckled kit could make her play with her. With a strop, she sat down outside the nursery, awaiting her friend’s return. Whenever that would be. Hopefully soon, it was a hot day and waiting in the sun was no fun.

It couldn’t have been too much later when the black molly strode into camp. With a chirrup, Petalkit shot up ready to play, but something was wrong. She didn’t even get to say hello, before Minkpaw had slumped to the floor. ”Erm, hello, Minkpaw.” she mewed, scrunching her nose. Minkpaw remained still, panting. That was strange. A sense of foreboding loomed over the young she-cat. She peered closer. This was not right, this was not her friend. Her forehead scrunched, unsure of how to fix this, and she did not want to leave her side. ”SLEEPYCLOUD!” she all but screamed ”You need to come here now! Something is wrong with Minkpaw and she needs fixing.” her heart thundered against her chest, Petalkit needed to do more for the apprentice ”Acornstar! Sageroot! Mama! Nightdancer! Aunt Silverdusk! Everyone in this camp! Come here! My bestfriend needs all of you right now!” her voice was shrill and as loud as she could make it. Anyone who didn’t come was a traitor to ThunderClan and they should be executed. Her chest heaved.

---

It was impossible to ignore the shriek that was Petalkit’s cries for help, especially when Silverdusk was named amongst the cats needed. They quickly approached, assessing the situation and if her niece’s reaction was warranted. Minkpaw did not look great, and it was good thing Petalkit had found her and immediately called for help. Silverdusk was no medicine cat, but it wasn’t hard to work out the heat had gotten to the small apprentice. With coat as dark as her’s they couldn’t imagine how awful she must have felt in this weather. With a pursed smile, they gently licked Petalkit and sat down beside her. If help was needed then they would help Sleepycloud, but she wasn’t going to try anything, especially if it could make the situation worse.

“Mm fine, really…” Minkpaw muttered. “I just could use some water and maybe…” the rest was unintelligible as the world seemed to spin. “Heh, s’this another Great Shake?” She tried to get up but fell back down. “Silverdusk, were you… around…” She couldn’t get more words out as her brain seemed all jumbled up.