Blackfoot Forest Here I am, I've come so far.

the stranger did not respond, did not even slow. merrick felt a nip of irritation. what good was a game without a player?
and so the boy unveiled himself, following the other wolf. "hey, sorry," he called lamely, for once feeling the emotion that colored his words. he need not pretend at it today; the other's rebuff had left the one-eyed child feeling rather foolish.