Sun Mote Copse dead as dead can be

More words were exchanged between the blind girl and the dark male. As they spoke, he—Perdition, now—tried to pull himself together a little better. He sat down to conserve energy, breathing slowly and deeply. A twitch began in his left shoulder, which he did his best to ignore.  He kept his head down, half from exhaustion and half because he knew his fate lay in the hands (paws) of these two wolves. If they accepted him, he would do all he could for them and their kin. If not… he would be forced to move on. He wasn’t sure how much more he could take without a rest, but he didn’t intend to give up and die.

“If it helps,” he said, his voice still hoarse and cracking, “I can fish. I can track larger prey, too, I just can’t… hunt them. I’ve been wandering alone and injured for days, so I guess that means I’m physically strong.” He closed his eyes in shame, shame at what he had become—this… shell of his former self. Whoever that had been. “Perhaps the symptoms of my injuries will lessen over time, and I will become more useful to you. If you take me in, I…” He lifted his head and looked the male in the eyes, momentarily glancing at the girl, as well, though he knew she couldn’t see him. “I will do what I can for you.”

He had to hope that this pitch, pathetic as it was, was enough. “If you don’t want me, I understand. Just let me clean myself off in the stream and I’ll be on my way.”