g. And the moment I saw it, the anger left me completely. It was exactly as I r

the flowerpot in front of the window. I took it and pushed open the heavy wood

really left me quite a magnificent mess. How did

to start somewhere. I rolled

d and my back was killing me. But the hous

ehind the mountains. I remembered the supplies in my pickup an

e last box, my p

was going crazy. How a

Barely. This place is a complete madhouse, Maya. The people here are seriously

s insane! Why are

ndmother," I said,

ef si

think you've done enough? You can come home. You can even come to m

wise, loving face came to mind. In

re, with me. I made her a promise, Maya. It will be good for

ease don't forget your vitamins. You hate th

I'll freeze stiff on this couch. I need to

your alone time, but show sig

alk late

ung

odshed was about twenty meters from the house. I opened its creaky door a

house, turning my head sidewa

en I s

e forest path, about ten meters away, stood a massive wolf. Far too large for

ly froze me

ntelligent. Aware. Staring straight into mine with

m since childhood. In dreams that felt less like dreams and more l

wolf have

ice. The firewood scattered into the snow with a cra

was gone. The path was e

ening to me,"

irewood to protect myself, scanned the tree li

glancing over my shoulder with ev

side I slammed the

the flames finally caught, I sank to the floo

happened. I hadn't had coffee in days. As a caffeine addict, I hadn't even thought about it during the griev

lf came bac

"it's just a wolf. A very large wolf. P

e enough for one day.

rse had one m

licking sound

d knock on my door at this hour? On

e window, looking out t

urly red hair braided in two plaits, freckles on h

a crack. "Yes? H

dened. "Hi!

ughed. "Oh, sorry! You don

aced. A girl with mud all over her face, laughing, gap-toothed,

d. "I can't believe

me!" she

door open an

d come back to town. I figured you might be missing a

hat had happened to me all day. A f

"It's absolutely

the fireplace, rubbing her hands together. Then

believe you're

I had finally found somethin