Totoka River leaving

forward-dated to about a week from now to give time for her shoulder to heal

This was Strand’s first time off the island and already she missed its isolated protection. Out here, on the mainland, she expected to find many more of her own kind. Perhaps too many for her to handle all at once. Padma had been a constant companion for the past week, but that was different. Padma was just one wolf who was generally kind and not prone to anger. At least not around her. But out here, anyone could be just as insane as the ghost who had destroyed her shoulder, and she wasn’t sure if she was prepared to face that. Even passing over the land bridge had been trying. The farther from the island she got, the more bothered she was. But she couldn’t let that stop her. She had to overcome such weakness.

She took deep breaths as she stood and stared at the forking river that flowed out to the sea. Small fish swam in the waters and she focused on them as a way to divert her anxiety. She hoped this feeling of helplessness would pass soon. After all, Strand had been the one to venture off of the island, and she’d done so out of boredom. She’d wanted a change of scenery. She couldn’t give up now that she was finally here. “Get it together,” she muttered to herself, and continued to stare at the little fish, this time without seeing them.