y's

d and stored seemed like another piece of my broken life. My once-familiar comfort f

gh the thin walls of my hut on that chilly night. The little, protected refuge I had planned to cr

a reminder of what I had lost. As though anxious to swallow me up, the shadows of the forest seeme

foot. The moon hung high, throwing a ghostly glow that gave the trees the impression of silent sentinels watching the nigh

jumble of fear and resentment. Though now I felt like a fugitive in a

twisting route. I peered in the rearview mirror, but the gloom made ever

a series of quick twists, the headlights of the other car flickering across the forest gr

y throat. On the frozen road, the automobile slid to halt. Glancing out the window, I saw a big black SUV obst

ond, though, the man moved with unexpected speed, unloc

insisted, his voi

hold was strong. "What are

arked, his tone almost casual. "He is aware that

de me cold. I had known of him-an outcast with a bad na

d say anything else. "Get in," he gave the dir

s the man's eyes locked with mine-a flash of concern. I grudgingly slid

ed to put together what was occurring, the road became a haze.

me?" At last, I asked, sha

ou to stay safe-for now. He plans, bu

revealed nothing. The car rushed across the darknes

e, the squeaky door opening to expose a poorly lighted chamber. Though the furn

man said. We have to keep low since V

o sort the circumstanc

ere to hurt you. Just to keep you secur

the little fireplace. In a couple of hours, my existence had been inverted,

omething, and I felt as though more was still to come. A strange noise

With a tremblin

hey are a somewhat common sight. Still, giv

the window. The howls got louder, and I shi

into the evening. We have to keep on alert. Th

danger lurking just beyond the cabin, the howling of the wolves resounded across the

ast, moving with deliberate practice and efficiency. Tension permeated th

We'll leave soon." "We have to get a

ous; the woodland outside remained a mystery. For now, though, all I could do was rely on Fi

ad was covered with doubt, and the shadows appeared to whisper secrets. One thing was obv

angerous, I was ready to face