Wheeling Gull Isle When everyone you thought you knew deserts your fight

Tybault had settled somewhat, but he still wasn't ready to let his guard down in full. When Bartholomew asked after Ophelia's condition, he hesitated, even as he followed him to the island; it would be easy to take advantage of her. That was his worst fear — that someone had found her already, someone horrible.
Sweetharbor, he reminded himself. How bad could this guy be? She's... easily confused. Sometimes it seems like she's not really there. In her own head, I guess. I don't know if she can care for herself, And it's already been too long. But he couldn't bring himself to say that. He knew anyone who heard the length of her absence and his journey would think it hopeless. Four months was a long time, especially for a wolf as young as they'd both been. Especially for someone like Ophelia. Even if she hadn't died in the fire, could she really survive on her own for that long?
He knew he couldn't think that way. If he let himself, he would give up.
She wasn't always like that, He added after a second, a touch defensive in the wake of his own doubt. She'll get better one day, if I can just find her. She had to.