Blame

Frecklepaw was rooted to the spot, her eyes stuck to Fawnspots’ limp figure. Slowly, her eyes dragged to her father’s larger body, thick with fur so dark, she couldn’t even tell he was bleeding until his blood struck the floor.

This is my fault. The revelation seized around her chest like a badger’s fangs, ripping her heart out and eating it in quick succession.

Fallowpaw’s tail drew over her shoulders. Frecklepaw nearly pulled away, but she grit her teeth instead and leaned into her sister’s touch. The only comfort in a world snuffed of its light.

“I did this,” Frecklepaw whimpered. “It's all my fault.”

Her shoulders drew even tighter while her head stooped, tears flooding down her cheeks.

“It’s not your fault,” Fallowpaw mewed quietly. Her voice was devoid of emotion, and when Frecklepaw looked over, she couldn’t even see the hint of a tear on her sister’s face. Only numbness.

“Fogpounce and I…” Frecklepaw nearly choked on her words. “We had an argument this morning.”

Fallowpaw inhaled sharply.

“I told him I never wanted to see him again.”

Frecklepaw tightly shut her eyes, her cheeks damp with tears. She trembled, wishing the whole world would swallow her up and never see her again. What if StarClan heard her, and had sent the badger to grant her wish? And maybe if she’d checked the wind better, she would’ve known it was there. She could’ve moved out of the way in time, and wouldn’t have needed rescuing. Her haunch twanged in memory, agonized by the claws of the beast. It was freshly decorated in cobwebs.

“Oh, Frecklepaw,” her sister’s voice wavered, the first sign of emotion since their parents had been dragged into camp. “I’m sure he knew you didn’t mean it.”

Eyes shining, Frecklepaw whipped her head around to stare at Fallowpaw, desperately. “But I never told him I’m sorry, and now, I never can.”

Fallowpaw blinked rapidly. Suddenly, tears pooled from her eyes and she stifled a sob. “It’s not your fault,” she whispered, burying her face in Frecklepaw’s shoulder. “I promise. You’re not at fault. Mom and dad loved you, and they know better than anyone that you loved them, too.”

Frecklepaw closed her eyes, pressing her chin on the soft fur of her sister’s scruff. She couldn’t bring herself to accept her words, but at the very least, she could embrace the comfort of her presence.