(Guess who the cat is in the comments below!)

That night, Patchpaw dreamed she was on a tall black hill, with darkness pressing down on her from all sides. She could not see anything beyond the large landmass or move, but only stand. Claws of wind raked through her tortoiseshell-and-white pelt, sending a piercing chill straight through to her bones.  Everything she had thought was true was lie. She probably wasn't even a clan cat. Her parents were most likely rouges or worse, kittypets. Patchpaw breathed in, trying to compose herself, but the fur beneath her eyes was already wet, so what was the use in trying to calm herself? Patchpaw let the tears come that time. They dripped down, forming small puddles beneath her chin. How could Tallwillow and Wolfshade do this to me and lie to the clan? "Patchpaw..." a quiet voice called. 

Patchpaw tried to answer, but her voice wouldn't work.  What do you want with me? she silently cried out. Why are you here? 

Suddenly light flashed over her eyes, blinding her, and then, Patchpaw found herself in a thick, black expanse of murky water. She just barely caught a glimpse of her surroundings before her head bobbed below the surface. A brilliant ginger tom appeared before Patchpaw's vision faded away into the darkness, sunk his teeth into her white scruff and began to kick his legs, fighting against the walls of murky blackness swarming them. Patchpaw head broke the surface and she gasped as the tom pulled them over to the shore of pale pebbles. He dragged her a couple fox-lengths onto the dry area of the shore where he promptly collapsed on a small scoop in the ground. The tom's breathing quickly slowed. Patchpaw pounced on him and smacked his back with one leg, hoping desperately to save him. "Hey! Don't die before I can thank you for saving my life,"

The tom coughed and sputtered for what seemed like a small eternity to Patchpaw before he finally paused to speak. "My name is Flare," he said, except, he didn't.

Flare's mouth hadn't moved. Patchpaw took a step back. It was kind of creepy, but sort of awesome at the same time. How did he do that? she marveled. I can't speak, but I can say things in your thoughts replied Flare.  Really? thought-asked Patchpaw, Or am I just going insane?  Silence. No, this is real, I promise you... Patchpaw? Patchpaw shook her head in confusion. It felt like something had entered her head and shuffled around her thoughts, leaving her disoriented. So... then what is your name? 

"Can you hear me?"

Flare nodded. "You were right, Flare. But how did you know? Can you read my mind?"

He nodded again. But I promise not to invade your thoughts if you wish me not to. Patchpaw purred. "Thank you,"

Then suddenly the world flickered before Patchpaw's eyes. Wait! Patchpaw, don't leave yet! called Flare. "Will you be here next time I fall asleep?"

Flare nodded vigorously I promise to try! Her vision was then swamped with light, and suddenly she saw Nightpaw's face above her own, and one of her white-flecked legs prodding the white fur of Patchpaw's shoulder. "Wake up, sleepy-head.  We're under attack,"