Redhawk Caldera Vessel

He inhaled with a gasp, and lurched to a half-seated position, wide-eyed and panting. He coughed a couple of times, clearing his airways, and felt a little bit light-headed. The memory of the dream was vivid, and it felt like something that might stay with him all day. His heart raced and ached simultaneously, having been frightened so profoundly by the tiger, and catching one last glimpse of his father, the way he used to be when he'd been healthy. 

Smiling, scarless, brave...His eyes welled with tears. He squeezed them shut, and moisture dripped down his cheeks. He would have to fight to remember his father's face that way, but he knew he would never see it-

"Ponyboy?"

The sound of his voice. 

He turned his head and looked out into the pale light. It had a rosy hue to it. He reached down to nibble at his elbow, pinching the flesh there to make sure he was awake. He'd been so frightened in his dream, though, that he wasn't sure pain meant he was even awake. 

Trembling, he moved toward the den's mouth, staring out into the open. A light mist covered the ground, and there in the clearing was a beautiful, golden wolf he didn't recognize. 

He looked toward the moon- an eerie orange as it hovered close to the horizon. When he looked back toward the golden wolf, she was already charging toward him.