Whitefish River Make like a baby and have little to no control over any aspect of your life or body

she almost missed him as she moved parallel to the thicket; already stuck deep within her thoughts. it was the breathing that grounded her; almost indiscernible among the soft winds, but fast and near enough to be noticed by chance. she paused, zeroing in on the source after a moment and pushing her way into the thicket, emerging by the pup's left side. an unavoidable pang, and she paused, having known panic enough times to recognize it easily.

"hey," she called, adding, "I'm Dawn." where he her own, she would have gone to him immediately. but he wasn't, and she had no family of her own, not anymore. "can I come closer?" at this distance, she could already make out the pungent scent of herbs and poultices, see the wounds, disfiguration. rage and shock and empathy bloomed, but none expressed themselves; her features remained calm.