Greatwater Lake Serenity Now

As it turned out, after a few miles Lane's little creek emptied into a massive lake, stretching out in either direction as far as the eye could see. Lane's run slowed to a trot, and finally she halted as she reached the southern shore of the lake. Her progress forward was effectively blocked.

Her muscles trembled from the exertion of her run, but at least she was warm and she was dry now. No thanks to that sopping wet kid who had rolled all over her. It had frustrated Lane to feel so helpless-- she had wanted to stop him but couldn't, wanted to escape, fight back, do something-- but couldn't. What if her attacker hadn't been just a kid goofing off? What if he had been a grown man and really wanted to.. you know.. hurt her? 

Lane scratched in the sand absentmindedly. Thoughtful. Perhaps it was time to pay a visit to a few packs and see if anyone was recruiting. Some added protection wouldn't be such a terrible thing, at least until she learned how to defend herself. 

Lane turned, suddenly alert to the sounds of another's approach. Her gaze fell on the familiar little furry tornado, and she shook her head in disbelief. The kid had really followed her all this way? Did he not have anywhere he belonged?

"Hit a dead end," she informed him, dropping the hunk of chervil roots she was holding in order to speak. "..Or else you never would have caught up."  Because that's what this chase had been about, right? To prove who was faster? Or had she actually managed to make a friend?