Every cloud has a silver lining/The back of beyond

The back of beyond is the first of the Every cloud has a silver lining texts, a series which relates the events in WindClan that followed Silverpaw's attack by a badger. It features Silverpaw and Thornpelt.

In character, it took place during the Moon of Long Nights (2005).

Out of character, it was written by Willow.

The back of beyond

I can't see you, I can't hear you

Do you still exist?

I can't feel you, I can't touch you,

Do you exist? - Epica

Silverpaw was coming back to her senses. She was able to realize that, from the murky depths her mind had wandered into during sleep. She seemed to be in a far, far away place, watching her own body wake up but not really caring about it.

At first, it had been the sounds. Sparrows piping ahead, and the wind rustling through the fields. It sounded unexpectedly peaceful. Why would it be unexpected, Silverpaw didn't know. Those sounds were distant; in her surroundings, it was quiet, without even the sound of pawsteps.

Next, taste. Without scent, the sensation was weird, warped. Most of all, Silverpaw was aware of her mouth feeling dry. Tentatively, she ran her tongue through her teeth. Yes, dry.

Vision refused obstinately to come by. She knew it wasn't night time - sparrows wouldn't sing then. But it was like her brain refused to process images, like her eyes were closed. Speaking of which - her eyelids were stuck in place. They felt too heavy. Maybe that was why she couldn't see? But why wouldn't she be able to open her eyes? There must be a reason.

A dull, remote feeling of touch. Her back was warm - was the sun shining overhead? - and her left side felt cramped, like Silverpaw had been resting on it for too long. Her right side felt completely numb, however. There must be yet another reason for that - but again, Silverpaw's mind wandered too far away to bother about figuring it out.

Then, suddenly, there were the scents. Silverpaw welcomed them - the sweet underlying scent of freshly cut herbs and the drier, fainter scent of herbs stored for leafbare. The smell was good; she inhaled, content.

That was a mistake.

A rancid stench invaded her nostrils and half-opened mouth. Sour, like stale blood. Her first thought was crowfood - but why would someone try to camouflage such a stink under the scent of herbs?

Silverpaw was puzzled. She struggled with her mind, trying to focus. But it was difficult, like she was drifting away and couldn't seize anything, couldn't hold on.

The sound of pawsteps approaching. Desperately, Silverpaw clang to that sound, concentrated on it. Someone was close, someone who would help her.

Whiskers tickled her ear. Suddenly, the apprentice realized her eyes were open. They felt sticky, and her vision was a blur. She started to shake it, trying to clear up.

"Don't move, Silverpaw."

That was Thornpelt. The medicine cat? That explained the herbs. But what about that horrible stink of stale blood?

"I told you, be still. You're gravely injured. I'm taking care of you. Chew."

A few leaves were placed in her mouth. More puzzled than ever, Silverpaw started chewing. Injured? But she didn't feel a thing! There was just that smell, and--

"Sleep, Silverpaw. I'll take care of you."