Page 79 of Shadow of Death

“Okay. We go.” My wolf was always there for me. If it wanted to leave, we’d leave.

We moved at a brisk walk away from the settlement, waiting for a threat to appear at any moment, whether it be Varic, Death, or one of the many other gods. My heart was beating so hard for the first hour that it was dulling my hearing.

Whenever I paused for a second, looking around to get my bearings or listening for people, my wolf pulled at my sleeve and urged me in a certain direction. I had no sense of where we were, but it seemed to know where it wanted to go, was borderline belligerent about it.

The adrenaline slowly ebbed away as the time ticked by. I was free, at least for now, but it was bittersweet. I’d thought I’d be leaving with Kicks, not alone like this.

Every step away made the situation more real. My mind went almost numb to stop the pain. I needed to get through this day, get out of this place and back to Charlie. After that, I could fall apart if I had to, but not now.

The sun was setting when we came upon a small village. It was the place Kicks and I had agreed to meet, and where I’d gotten my clothes from to meet his family. I remembered waking up that morning, being nearly obsessed with making a good impression on them. That felt like eons ago, as if I weren’t even the same person.

There were no lights visible or smoke in the chimneys. I breathed in deeply and then strained my ears. Looked like it was still deserted, even as I hoped for an excuse to keep going.

“You pick up on anything?”

The wolf put its snout in the air and then started walking again.

I sighed long and hard. If it had heard, it didn’t care.

I followed, passing the store where I’d tried on things with Kicks. I’d held up items and asked for his opinion, and he repeatedly told me it didn’t matter what his family thought. I must’ve gone through twenty outfits as he made a show of dying in a chair.

My wolf tugged me again as I slowed.

“We stay here for the night, but first thing tomorrow we’re out of here,” I told it.

I didn’t know why I cared. It wasn’t like Kicks was going to show up. Even if he did leave Varic’s earlier than he’d said he was going to, he’d probably go right past this place and to the docks in search of a boat.

We walked through the small town, finding a little cottage on the outskirts. I was too tired to care about food, and had no hunger to speak of anyway. I’d hunt up something to eat tomorrow before we set out again.

I curled up on the couch in the cozy living room, my wolf jumping up and snuggling next to me, sharing its warmth.

“I’m not sure where you came from, how you came into being, but I’m so glad you did. Somehow you’ve made everything more bearable.”

It licked my face.

“Tomorrow we figure out how we get back to Arkansas and Charlie.” I buried my face in its fur. “You’ll like Charlie, and he’s going to love you. Try not to disappear before we get to Arkansas.”

My wolf looked at me as if it understood every word. I was beginning to think it did.

“You know, Charlie always wanted a dog. He’s going to be so excited to meet you.” If there was one glorious shining silver lining, it was getting back to Charlie.

My wolf made a groaning, almost whining noise.

“I didn’t meanyou’rea dog. Obviously you’re way better.”

It settled down again, as if its ego had been appeased.

I was licked awake, the sky still dark.

“What’s wrong?”

My wolf walked over to the window, looking out and then back to me.

Was someone here? I nearly jumped off the couch, still dressed. I hadn’t even taken off my boots just in case.

I went to the window, and in the distance I saw a silhouette of a man approaching.

It couldn’t be him. If it was, it was purely coincidental. No way he was here for me.