“alive with maggots. “Ugh!” Hollykit squealed. Leafpool emerged from the elders’ den, a wad of moss in her jaws. Jaykit could smell the mouse bile on it even over the stench of the rotten wren. She paused by the three kits. “Well spotted,” she praised them, dropping the bile-soaked moss at her paws. “I know prey is scarce at the moment, but better to eat nothing than to eat something that will hurt your belly.” “Jaykit found it,” Hollykit told her. “Well, he’s saved me a patient,” Leafpool meowed. “I’m busy enough as it is. Brackenfur”