Phoenix Maplewood and it's all fun and games, 'til somebody falls in love

His approach was deliberate and slow, however, the rhythm of Reek's fast-beating heart was anything but. With each and every step Reek took toward the bear and the injured dragon wolf, the terror that gripped his chest like a vice squeezed even tighter, but Reek fought through his own fear (thus relinquishing his own safety) for the greater good. Though his legs shook at the knees, he continued on with uncharacteristic bravery in place of the shrewd cowardice he had come to know. Something was different; he was not the same coward he used to be. Discontent with living a life he could not be proud of, Reek was set on changing -- and he would start today with the life of a stranger.

However, before Reek could offer his aide, the injured stranger was joined by a familiar face. Reek stopped in his tracks for a moment as Wildfire attempted to offer her assistance, yet the injured stranger simply shooed her away. Of course, it was an act of self-sacrifice -- just being here automatically put Wildfire in danger of incurring the same injuries as the other. Though Reek remained unknoticed in the trees, he couldn't help but agree that it wasn't safe for her.

It was then that Reek noticed the bear had lost interest. The sounds of snapping bones and tearing sinew came to a hault as the bear finished its little snack and it soon set out on its merry way. Reek breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he neither he nor Wildfire would come to bodily harm, but the injured stranger still needed assistance. Soldiering forward, Reek approached with his head tucked and tail tucked low in the least threatening way possible. His eyes trailed across the injured wolf's body, eventually resting on the laceration on her haunch. It needed attention.

"Wildfire," he muttered, biting his lip. The emotional wounds of their last meeting were still fresh. "She needs a healer." Thankfully, they had one of the best medics in the Wilds right in front of them.