Day eight

Cats remaining

Toadstep

Bumblepaw

Sunstrike

Bumblepaw's POV

Toadstep and I eat as many mice as we can, accepting that it may be our last meal.

We are ready to set out.

Sunstrike beats us to action. She drops into the hollow.

Toadstep and I grin. Sunstrike drops from the highest point.

We hear the cat screech as she hits the ground.

Toadstep and I go to the lake where we sit down and watch the waves. Neither of us says anything about what to do next.

Finally, Toadstep stands up. "Bumblepaw, listen. You are younger than I am."

"Not by much," I mutter.

"You are still an apprentice. You did very well these Games. You deserve to win, to become a warrior."

"Toadstep, please!" I scream.

"This is best for both of us, Bumblepaw," Toadstep whispers.

Before I can say anything he sinks his claws into his own throat.

I dash over. "Thank you, Toadstep." I whisper.

The cat screech sounds. I clean the blood from Toadstep's fur and wait.

Briarpaw and Blossompaw run down to meet me.

I am the first apprentice to win the Games.

I run to my sisters. "I've missed you so much!"

Honeyfern slowly approaches. She's carrying her two remaining kits by the scruff.

"Congratulations, Bumblepaw."

Briarpaw nudges me. "Let's go home."