Jayhaven Chronicles

Hawk was alive, thank heaven, but had cracked two ribs and was badly bruised. While Panther was staying optimistic, Sunbeam seemed even more grim than usual as she alerted Dusk and Spider, who rushed their son to the Healer facility. Peak went too, so Rapid was left alone and silent, his thoughts clouded by what felt like a giant rain cloud.

Knock, knock. A paw gently rapped on his door. Rapid buried his head in his paws and didn’t respond. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.

Panther appeared in the doorway, wearing a sympathetic smile. “You’re supposed to say, ‘Who’s there?’”

He sat down on the floor beside Rapid, who still hadn’t said anything. “It’s okay. Hawk will be fine, maybe even able to train again by next week.”

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!” Rapid exploded, his face a waterfall. “I could have killed him! I could have killed one of my best friends! This is all my fault, and now Peak will never talk to me again. I don’t know why you’re bothering either.”

Panther wrapped his arm around Rapid’s shoulder, who had started sobbing uncontrollably. “Well, if we’re going to play the blame game, I should have never built that stupid obstacle course.” Panther mewed softly. “My students’ safety should come first.”

Rapid sniffled and looked up at him. “Y-you aren’t upset with me? But I got mad, and lost control, and-”

“And I might’ve done the same thing in my youth.” Panther interrupted, holding his paw to Rapid’s mouth. “I had a worse temper than you when I was your age. Regularly got into fights with my friends, even Claw. Yes, I knew him.” Rapid was about to say that he already knew, (From the Book of Jay) but Panther interrupted again. “He was my and Onyx’s best friend. Oh boy, I said stuff to him you’d get a good whipping for.”

Rapid gave a weak laugh and sat up. “So you’re sure Hawk will be okay?”

“Positive.” Panther gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder. “And above all else, please know that it wasn’t your fault.” When Rapid still didn’t look quite convinced, Panther nudged him in the ribs with his elbow. Come on, where’s the cat who stood up to my brother? Twice!”

And suddenly, Rapid was reminded of that day in the clearing, and that Kiirion was rotting in a cell somewhere.

“Let’s get something from the kitchen.” Panther started out the door. “Eating helps me when I’m worried.”

“No thanks.” Rapid mewed. “I’m not hungry.” But he had other things on his mind. If Hawk and Peak weren’t going to be around that night, and Rapid needed something to think about-

It was as good a night as any to save Kiirion.