Heron Lake Plateau Give the girl a gold star

Towhee frowned deeply at her hind paw, which now sported a thick callous from dragging on the ground ever since her accident. As her frustration with her predicament mounted, she forcibly tore her gaze away and tried to redirect her thoughts. But try as she might, the Beta couldn't avoid the inevitable train that ran through her mind like a railway station.

What if I never get feeling back? How will I patrol? Will I be able to fight if I need to? Will I adapt or will I just be a useless cripple? I don't want to burden the entire pack... She drew in a shaky breath as her thoughts jumped the tracks and began careening swiftly downhill, gaining momentum. I can't be a leader, not like this. Hell, if I can't figure out a way to contribute, I don't belong here, period. I don't think Rave would kick me out... but what about Quixote?

She swallowed, head snapping up when she saw movement coming toward her. Niamh was a sight for sore eyes and a welcome distraction from her rapidly devolving train of thought. Towhee pushed herself into an upright seated position, using her left foreleg to yank her left hind leg into a more proper position as she managed a tight, forced smile for her friend. It didn't reach her orange eyes.