Otter Creek Break the cycle.

Whittier slowed to a stop when he noticed the wary posture the girl shifted into in response to his approach. He canted his head in confusion, though there was really nothing odd about it. He was far too used to living with his own family in a community that was always happy to see him (though he was not always as thrilled). Caution was something he'd have to learn. Or, to be more accurate: Caution was something he needed to remember he had already learned. God damn skunks..

Frowning, he listened to her admonish him. He felt a pang at her comment about him being homeless, but he buried it because that's what tough guys do. The rest was mostly lost on him as he thoughtfully noted how like his sister she was, prattling on about manners and some stupid things when they could be trying to eat something.

"Well obviously I'm asking because I'm hungry," he stated in a tone that hinted not so subtly at his annoyance, "And my name is Whit. Now will you hunt with me? I saw some scratching around in the snow back there, I think there's turkeys or something around."