Haunted Wood We make our own future.

There was still much to contemplate before making any life-changing decisions. If she could manage to convince enough "outsiders" to leave (read: chase them away), then maybe she could stay after all. But if they turned out to be as greedy and selfish as Burke and his mate, then Towhee knew the ax might have to fall on her head instead. She sighed heavily at the thought even as she departed from the borders, deciding she might as well prepare herself for the worst case scenario.

It was a hot, sunny day, though the forest neighboring the caldera was cool and shadowy. Towhee found a well-worn footpath and began following a scent she had never come across before. She was equal parts hungry and intrigued, even though she had no idea if she would be able to take on this type of prey alone. But she couldn't leave the opportunity unexplored, especially if she might be on her own soon—that thought made her stomach lurch—so she sped up her prowl.