- Jun 7, 2022
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"WE ARE THE BROKEN ONES, WHO CHOSE TO SPARK A FLAME"
Emberstar had not stepped inside her den since the morning before the fire arrived. She hardly remembered waking up in it that day. Her memory was entirely occupied by what came after, the panicked flurry of motion as she tried to figure out what she was supposed to do. Fighting desperately against a threat that choked the very air and, eventually, the flames that followed it. She could still smell the smoke, its scent lingered faintly everywhere in the camp. Even here, in her den. It hung over her, a reminder that - once again - she had failed. She had been helpless to save her friends.
The scarred molly exhaled, long and slow.
This was the first time she had been alone since that morning too. At least, that's what it felt like. Even after the danger had passed, her time in Riverclan had been a procession of people checking in on her or asking questions. There hadn't been much for her to do - Cicadastar was in charge there not her, after all - but there had always been someone around. In a camp packed with two clans there was always someone to talk to, someone to distract her.
Not here though. The Thunderclan camp felt empty in comparison. Especially with the absences of those they had lost felt so keenly. Her den felt big and empty and lonely. She had never liked that she had her own den, even though it was what she was used to. At times she had even considered just sleeping with the warriors. Now most of all, Emberstar longed for the long ago days when she was a kit, and she had shared a den with her mother.
Silently, she glanced toward the entrance. There was no one there. She was alone. Settling into her nest, she wrapped her tail about herself, curling inward. Then, building slowly like cracks in dam, she began to cry.
It was not silent, it was not even quiet. It was loud and ugly. She cried like she had when she was a kit, and the only one who might hear was her mother.
The scarred molly exhaled, long and slow.
This was the first time she had been alone since that morning too. At least, that's what it felt like. Even after the danger had passed, her time in Riverclan had been a procession of people checking in on her or asking questions. There hadn't been much for her to do - Cicadastar was in charge there not her, after all - but there had always been someone around. In a camp packed with two clans there was always someone to talk to, someone to distract her.
Not here though. The Thunderclan camp felt empty in comparison. Especially with the absences of those they had lost felt so keenly. Her den felt big and empty and lonely. She had never liked that she had her own den, even though it was what she was used to. At times she had even considered just sleeping with the warriors. Now most of all, Emberstar longed for the long ago days when she was a kit, and she had shared a den with her mother.
Silently, she glanced toward the entrance. There was no one there. She was alone. Settling into her nest, she wrapped her tail about herself, curling inward. Then, building slowly like cracks in dam, she began to cry.
It was not silent, it was not even quiet. It was loud and ugly. She cried like she had when she was a kit, and the only one who might hear was her mother.
✦ ★ ✦
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