Big Salmon Lake Turn at last to home afar

So Mal just sat there, scratched an ear a bit, and just pondered the meaning of life.  Or at least he did until some motion caught his eye.  He looked over briefly -- just another wolf, didn't seem to notice him so Mal didn't give him much thought and went back to whatever his own brain was pondering.  Then a second wolf whispered to him and told a tale of murder.. Or something.

But this was Mal.  He was a boy who knew little of the world but had started this journey watching two wolves basically murder each other for no reason.  What was said wasn't yanking the rug out from under him.  It was more like the floor was falling away brick by brick and all he could do was watch.  Again, killers came calling.  Wha--? was about all he uttered, staring for a moment longer before slooooowly turning his head to look a the indicated wolf.  That guy had been chewed up and spat out like the ones at the beach.  Did water just bring out the crazy?  His deer-in-headlights stare shifted back to Tegan again, horrified and terrified at everything, unable to talk or move.  For all his bravado about going out to solve all the issues in the world, he was still just a kid.