Big Salmon Lake Pandora's Box

Hydra had heard tell of wolves and the way they died when sick or else injured. They retreated from pack and kept hidden and died alone. Though Sarah's words were spoken with good-humor, Hydra wondered if that was why Sarah had decided against answering Hydra's previous question from moments ago. Never one to skirt around the truth or what it might be, Hydra tilted her head and asked: are you dying? Her plan sounded nice in theory, but that was assuming Sarah made it back to the Hollow at all. Near or far, the journey home for Sarah in this upended world where nature became unpredictable did not look good, particularly in her condition. 

With a twinkle in her eye, Hydra drawled, we need not give you herbs for pain, if that is the case. Only something to help fight the infection, she offered, less out of pity and more because Sarah truly had come to amuse her. Dark humor and all. If Sarah was to die from this, Hydra at least wanted to believe she might make it to her brother. A selfish thing that, but it was, this time around, less for herself and more for Terance. 

No? She asked, ears twitching. Then perhaps you might make yourself useful and join me and mine, Hydra quipped playfully, we can ensure one anothers mutual survival in this hell, and remind one another we are still alive. I shall not encourage any more to chase you from food, either, a sore subject to be sure, but Hydra did not mean to be funny as she finished. Hydra wanted to give Sarah her will back, be it reminding her to return home to her brother or perhaps to join her. Her loyalty to Terance would ever remain throughout—Hydra always meant to act in the best interests of those she called friends. The woman thought she did as much now. It may make an even better, more entertaining story, she tempted with the amicable wave of her tail, blue eyes looking to Sarah's injuries. 

Hydra did not think the other would take her up on the offer, and would not fault her for it either. If Sarah truly was dying, then she likely would not want the help to extend the inevitable. And if her loyalty was simply to Terance and Terance alone, she could understand that too; her hope in the moment was not to take his sister from him, but to help her survive through the calamity as best she could. If Sarah intended to stay unattached to any in the Wilderness, she was as good as a lone wolf and a competitor to those that starved. Hydra imagined Sarah in better condition; strong and hale, helpful in the matters of hunting and the like. 

Hydra Ostrega, she introduced, and inquired next, and who might you be, fighter of the Hollow? Hydra hummed, already knowing the woman to be far more than simply the sister of Terance... even though they shared the same foolhardy brain.