Firestone Hot Springs The door to December

The sound of footfalls made her ears twitch. Koontz slowly opened her eyes, turning her head toward the sound. Eventually, a wolf materialized. Even from several dozen yards away, she could see the thinness of his frame. His steps seemed a little wobbly. Her brow furrowed, wondering if he was ill.

"Hey," she said, calling out to him, "are you sick?" If he was, there wasn't much she could do to help him; she was no medic. Perhaps she could find someone else to help, though. "Maybe I can help," she said accordingly, rising to her feet but making no other movement toward him yet.