Chapter Twelve

I awake  in a cage in the midle of a clearing in the woods.

It's a small cage, dirty and gross. I look down an realize that I am covered in dirt and straw and blood.

It's dark, and I am incredibly cold.

And I am struck by the realization that I am going to freeze to death. I am going to die.

Just then, I hear footsteps, and I know they are coming for me. I brace myself for whatever he's coming to do. I know I can't stop him. I'm too weak to fight.

I look up to see the wolf from before. The bounty hunter. He is holding food out to me.

"Eat," he says.

I glare at him, defiant.

"Eat," he says again. This time, he pushes the food into my cage. "You're hungry, and I'm not going to let you starve to death. Eat."

I stare at the food for a long time.  I don't know what to do. I don't want to take anything from him. But I'm starving, and eventually the hunger wins out.

I reach out and take the food from his hand.

He laughs.  "That's a good girl," he says.

"I'm not a pet, you bastard