Chimera Fields misery loves you

no!

the sound of grief was all-too familiar, even if it came from some distance away. cam stiffened on his walk through the trees, immediately changing course and breaking into a lope. it was mal's voice, and he wondered what terrible thing had happened now. he burst onto open ground; soon, three figures came into view.

mal and a child, hunkered over an unmoving wolf. 

don't think of mummy don't think of mummy don't think of mummy

his heart hammered in his throat as he approached, nostrils flared, hoping not to catch the smell of blood. mal? he inquired gently, a quaver in his voice. cam folded himself downward, next to the pair, eyes flickering toward the child—so young, too young to see this—before returning to stare at his friend.

there was no need for 'what happened?' it didn't matter. the neverwinter wolf was dead, and grief had begun. all he could do was be here, as much as he wanted so badly to run away. after all, mal had been there for cam in some of his darkest times. it was time to return the favor.