Hushed Willows [NaWoWriMo] you made a bad boy outta me

It was even more bizarre to see the creature cower, as if in fright. For a moment, Lily felt. . .guilty? She shook it off quite quickly; there was no need to feel guilty for protecting her children, after all. Especially from something she'd never seen before, that she had no way of knowing was dangerous or not. The whiff of brimstone off its pelt was bad enough.

Look, I'm sorry, Lily said, feeling stupid even as the words left her mouth. They're much smaller than you are; you might accidentally hurt them. I think we'd both feel bad if that happened.

She cocked her head, trying a different tack. Where did you come from? she asked softly. I've never seen anything that looks like you, before. And you certainly don't smell familiar. It wasn't even a wolf, for crying out loud. She was at a complete and utter loss.