Thunder (book)/Chapter 16

"You've helped me be brave. I don't think I could have faced it alone. In RiverClan, there was no cat I dared trust. I was alone. But here, with you and the other park cats, I've remembered what it feels like to be safe. I've been able to talk freely and share what I've been going through. [...] And Nightheart. I couldn't have done it without him. Without any of you."

— Frostpaw to Bee about learning how to meditate in Thunder, page 238

Thunder (book)
Chapter number:	16 (of 22)
Page numbers:	213-240
Point of View:	Frostpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter sixteen of Thunder (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 16 (of 22)

Page Numbers: 213-240

Chapter description

Frostpaw is delighted to finally find the salmon-colored tree, though Nightheart advises against meeting the new cats until later. The strangers eye them warily while Nightheart and Frostpaw rest nearby. Frostpaw notices how the strange cats seem to be former kittypets, rogues, and loners, and they enjoy each other's company. Frostpaw suddenly longs for RiverClan, the one before Mistystar's death, though she finds comfort in Nightheart when he offers to take watch while she rests. Around moonhigh, a Twoleg arrives with fish to feed the strange cats.

The two Clan cats introduce themselves to the strangers, nervously explaining how Riverstar had instructed them to find them. Scruff, Rook, and a few others recognize Riverstar's name from the stories passed down from their ancestors: long ago, Riverstar had saved their group from a group vicious rogues and could not be killed. Frostpaw elaborates that Riverstar was the founder of her Clan and he had visited her in her dreams. Bee asks if that's like meditation, which the park cats used to help look inside themselves and learn. Frostpaw realizes she needs to learn how to meditate, and Bee and Waffle guide her to the river. They instruct Frostpaw how to focus on her breathing and let her thoughts flow free like the river. After a few moments, Frostpaw spots Riverstar sitting on the far shore. The former RiverClan leader is pleased that she's found the park cats but insists she must let Nightheart and the others help her. When she wakes up, Waffle and Bee are gone. Nightheart asks how long she'll need to learn how to meditate, and Frostpaw suspects maybe a half-moon. Nightheart is willing to stay as long as she needs to, and Frostpaw is grateful for his trust and friendship.

A quarter-moon later, Frostpaw continues to learn how to meditate with Bee. While fetching her prey, Bee comments how restless Frostpaw appears, though Frostpaw wants to figure out who attempted to kill her as soon as she can. Bee comments that perhaps she's not fully ready to accept that truth, through no fault of her own. The gray tom encourages her to take a break and play with the other park cats. Frostpaw is unsure since only Clan kits play, but she finds joy playing "find the shell" with Nightheart, Waffle, Molly, and Wasp. While chasing after the shell, Frostpaw suddenly remembers what she was like before Mistystar's death: clever, quick, and friendly. She was able to feel safe.

Another quarter-moon later, Frostpaw finally accepts who attempted to kill her: Splashtail. She struggles to say his name out loud, but she knows it is the truth she has always known deep inside. As she closes her eyes, Frostpaw sees a vision of Splashtail talking her in WindClan's territory before attacking. Bee comforts her, and Frostpaw is grateful for his and Nightheart's friendships. Nightheart arrives to ask if she's discovered what she's needed to learn, but Frostpaw insists that she still needs to know how to choose RiverClan's leader. Nightheart encourages her to spend more time with cats she can trust.

Characters

Major

• Frostpaw
• Nightheart
• Bee

Minor

• Rook
• Scruff
• Waffle
• Firefly
• Chalk
• Lark
• Peg
• Weevil
• Marlow
• Wasp
• Molly
• Riverstar

Mentioned

• Sunbeam
• Splashtail
• Arc (Unnamed)
• Slash (Unnamed)
• Graykit
• Mistkit
• Harelight
• Mistystar
• Curlfeather (Unnamed)
• Whistlepaw

Important events

• Frostpaw learns to meditate, accepts that it was Splashtail who attempted to kill her.