threw away the map and lost the key

The young kit's nostrils were filled with the smell that emanated from the hard dark surface of the Thunderpath. His eyes burned with the stench, and he felt as though his pelt would never be clean again. His silver spotted pelt was stained with blood, but not his own. His paws trembled as he pulled himself from under the limp and heavy body of his mother. Fractured images from moments before flickered through his head. His mother, guiding his brother and himself as they crossed the unnatural path. His brother darting off as a monster sped from around a bend, the sound of it screaming as it raced towards them. His mother, pushing her way between him and the horrible creature, shoving him just out of the way. And now, the ground was shaking again. Another monster was surely coming. He managed to get himself free and scrambled to his paws, feeling like time was gripping him as though in a dream. He felt like he was moving so slowly, as he raced for the edge of the hard, stinky surface.

He stumbled at the edge as the earth reappeared, falling flat on his face just as the monster swerved to avoid the still form of his mother. His insides ached and cried knowing that he had no way of moving her to safety. He was too small, too weak, although larger than the average kit of his age.

The realization that he was completely alone hit him, as he could not see or smell a trace of his brother. The kit wailed, too distressed to care if he drew the attention of a hawk or fox.