Warning

The ancient trees towered over her as Lisa walked through the faintly visible deer path, strangely she felt safe amid the hushed stillness of the primaeval and remote place. She could hear the faint rustling of small animals in the underbrush, frolicking and foraging for food. The place was teeming with life, but the one being she was looking for was noticeably absent. She hurried excitedly along the faint trail, hoping that she would find her elusive prey. The sparkling lake water beckoned through the breaks in the trees. She trudged through the sweet-smelling knee-high grass, not caring as it lashed at her bare legs.

“He's not coming,” she thought forlornly, shoulders drooping with disappointment. Sighing, she slumped down and sat on the ground, pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around both legs as she rocked to and fro to comfort herself.

The faint yapping sound reached her first, and then the howling of several wolves ripped through the