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WRITING CONTEST ENTRY

“Would all cats gather round for a Clan meeting!”
Hawkpaw’s belly squeezed with nerves. He knew he should be excited for his warrior ceremony and all he was gaining, but all he could seem to focus on was everything he had lost.
Just a moon earlier, a battle between RiverClan and ShadowClan took the lives of his parents, Pastelcloud and Tallbirch. His sister, Mintpaw was training to be a medicine cat, so he would be receiving his name alone.
“Hawkpaw!” Mintpaw’s yowl caught his attention, and he turned to her.
“Yeah?”
“Dovestar is calling for your warrior ceremony,” she mewed. “Shouldn’t you head over?”
Hawkpaw nodded. “I was just about to go.” His throat felt dry. “Will you come with me?”
Mintpaw’s pelt brushed against his. “Of course,” she murmured. “I would never leave you alone.” She started walking. “Let’s go!”
Hawkpaw followed her, his steps heavy and filled with dread. This was a moment he had been waiting for since kithood, but he had always imagined his parents in the crowd, cheering his name.
Dovestar’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Would Hawkpaw please step forward?”
Hawkpaw dipped his head and obeyed. He looked out into the camp, and saw Mintpaw. Beside her were two empty spaces, where Pastelcloud and Tallbirch would have sat. His heart tightened with grief. He wished with everything he had that they could be there for him.
“Hawkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?”