Ravensblood Forest If the Shoe Fits

The boy's mind was dominated by thoughts of Sorina (although in his head she remained nameless). He went over the events in his head again and again, at first feeling the same physical response to the images of her figure beneath him (and as much fun as it was to fantasize while he was loitering by himself, a bitterness accompanied the effort). Over the course of a couple of days Screech savored the bitterness her image brought to him. He cultivated it. Having been emotionally wounded by her response to him had served as a catalyst; soon all that would harden was his heart.

Meanwhile, he tried to keep busy. Screech had become efficient along certain paths through the dark wood and was continually testing himself. If he was to survive with the darkness that his injury provided, he would have to be smart about it — and we know Screech, he isn't one of the smart ones. But he was trying. So he paced a route along through the forest, couting his steps and making mental notes of the terrain, until he was blocked at an impasse or he was too tired to continue.

Thus, he found the girl. She was standing in a patch of the forest that wasn't wholly shadow and her golden pelt was illuminated by the dim, overcast sunlight. In her jaws swayed a freshly caught rabbit. Rather than call out and disturb her Screech opted for the creeper route and merely observed, turning his head so that his missing eye could be spared her scrutiny should he be found out.