Phantom Hollow jekyll and hyde

the boy was ranging farther these days, perhaps to his own detriment. today, however, the saccharine fragrance of high-meat had drawn him down a specific path during his exploration and wanderings. the long-legged child, lanky with adolescence and the form of an adult body not yet filled out, trotted in the direction of the interesting scent, his belly churning alternately with hunger and nausea, Casmir mounted a rise and peered through the fog.

broad paws braced against the carcass of a ruminant; he could see little more of his unknown companion. innate caution wisely slowed his steps; this was a wolf he did not know, and a grown male at that, he came to discover through the conscientious flare of his nostrils.

but the meat beckoned him; he licked back dripping saliva and lifted his tail in a single wag. "Hi...?" he called hopefully through the fog, childish naivete insisting he would make another friend today.