Otter Creek trickle down the spine

She swallowed, hesitant. Torn between spilling her guts and clamming up completely. It's a lot, she warned, moving a little closer to him, so that she didn't have to pitch her voice too loudly. Her eyes drifted toward the edge of the trees, the ribbon of creek that led into the darkness.

Her home. Except. . .not. Anymore.

My pack moved out to the open because of the shaking. The trees were falling: my childhood friend was crushed, and my— my s-son—

NO! 'NANSI, NO!

a pale, slender tail between her paws

He died, too, Maegi said, her voice flat, or at least striving for it. There was a quaver, though, that grew as she continued. I'm losing wolves left and right. My ranks are dwindling. My co-leader has a broken leg, and now my daughter might be missing—

A sob escaped her tattered maw, cutting off the word vomit. I don't know what to do, she admitted, shaking her head, gaze turned skyward. Everything has gone wrong. I can't seem to fix any of it. I just want it to end. I want it all to stop. She felt some embarrassment having given this sentiment freely to a borderline stranger, but stopping the speech would have required a monumental effort.

An effort she didn't really have in her, right now.