It Went All Wrong... (Open)

[hawktail]

Although we have no obligation to stay alive,
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive,
(Break out) I won't be left here,
Behind closed doors.

Bonfires burn like beacons,
Guiding the lost and weakened.
Flames dance on crashing waves,
Guiding ships who've gone astray

Time out, let's stop and think this through,
We've all got better things to do,
Than talk in circles, run in place,
Answers inches from our face.

~Rise Against

Opening her eyes, a dark brown tabby found herself surrounded by cats. Taking in features, she realized that none of the faces were from ShadowClan. Yowls of defiance echoed around her, engulfing her. Looking up, she saw a figure outlined against the sun, dark eyes gleaming and looking down to her. Suddenly, she remembered him. His white body, his brown head. Eagle? she wanted to say, but the words never left her muzzle. The tom lifted his muzzle to the air, yowling for silence. The shrieks died down to nothing. The silence hung in the air like a ghost. "Hawk!" Eagle's meow was so low it sounded like a growl. "You have killed one of our best cats. And I now suspect that you also were behind the killings of our beloved Red and Swan. I have no idea how you could have committed such a felony, but it will not go unpunished."
Hawk's pale eyes stretched wide with dismay. "Wait! You don't understand! Please, no!" Her protests were drowned out by the yowls that rose up around her once more. Eagle's tail lifted and the crowd fell silent once more. "We will begin the counting. Part the path!" The crowd that had circled her parted to reveal a path. The Path of Exile.
Eagle lifted his head higher than before. "One!" Hawk's paws moved instinctively and she ran out the exit. The forest floor was soaking wet, and mud splashed up onto her pelt and face.
"Two!" Hawk could hear the call from back at base. All of the cats were chanting, awaiting ten for the chase.
"Three!" They were counting too fast! They never counted so swiftly. Hawk ran harder.
"Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! " Numbers were racing by. Stop! She couldn't help but plea the thought. Why? Why were they counting so fast?
"Nine!" Nine already! Dread pulsed through the she-cat. She would never make it! her paws began to grow heavy,slowing her down. No! Don't slow down, speed up! Speed up!
"Ten!" The world almost seemed to go negative with dismay. Yowls sounded behind Hawk. How had they caught up so fast? They had to have left early. Hawk looked over her shoulder and saw a whole wave of cats only several fox lengths behind her. They were gaining fast. Hawk's chest felt like exploding with lack of air. Shrieking with dismay, the she-cat called out, "No! You counted too fast! You left too early! No!" She saw cats come up on her sides, their eyes filled to the brim with lust. Hawk yowled as a set of paws landed on her, knocking her down. Looking up, she saw Eagle, fangs bared and ready to bite. His head bent and Hawk cried out as pain raced through her and blood poured from her neck.

Hawktail woke with a jerk and a gasp. She was in her nest, in the warriors den. She was back. It was only a dream. The tabby's paws stung, as though she had really been running. She was exhausted, and panting. her bedding was scattered, a sign that she had been writhing and fidgeting in her sleep. Glancing around, Hawktail decided that it would be best to get some fresh air. She hoped she hadn't woke any of the other Warriors. They would be mad if they got woken in the middle of the night. Slipping past her sleeping Clan mates, Hawktail entered out, into the cool breeze. The moon loomed overhead. The night was undisturbed. Hawktail sat off in the shadows and stared up at the moon. Why couldn't she be that calm?