She had stopped recognising her surroundings a long time ago. The jagged peaks of the mountains had vanished into the distance, her path swallowed up by dense forest which seemed to envelop her more tightly with every step she took. She kept company with the birds that inhabited the branches above, growing accustomed to their individual calls; some bright and cheerful as they darted about, others crying a melancholy wail from their perches somewhere in the distance. In all this time she'd not seen, heard or smelt any sign of another wolf. It did not trouble her particularly, she was quite content with her own company, and the thought of a confrontation with a creature larger and more aggressive than her was a situation she would rather avoid. However, this isolation meant that she was left with only her own thoughts to entertain her. The same things seemed to tumble constantly around in her mind - memories of the pack that she had left behind, the uncertainty of her future, and of course, the mysterious disappearance that had sparked it all. Her thoughts all led back to that one event, no matter which path they had taken.


In her young, foolish mind she had entertained the thought that perhaps one day they would be mates and would raise a family together. It was only a fleeting concept, but it had appealed to her. She could imagine spending the rest of her days by his side. But this small fire of hope had been extinguished when he vanished, without a trace, during a hunt. When the pack returned, they did not speak of him. The young wolf who had been her closest friend and only confidant, had simply ceased to be part of her life. After that, there was nothing left for her there, with her pack. She did not leave with the idea of finding him - his trail would be cold, even if she had known where it had begun. Nevertheless, occasionally the dappled light falling against leaves, or the figure of a deer caught unawares by her presence would trick her, and for a moment her heart would cease beating and her mind's eye only saw the lanky brown wolf she once knew. And then the sun would move in the sky, the shadows would change, and the deer would bound away in alarm. The shadows would go back to being shadows, the deer a deer, and the figments of her imagination would be just that - her imagination.


Lost in her thoughts, she had failed to notice the bright rays of sunlight falling directly ahead of her. It was not until she had reach the very edge of the forest that she realised she had found herself suddenly out in the open. In front of her lay a wide creek, babbling gently and serenely. She paused and instinctively thrust her nose to the wind, hoping desperately that she had not dropped her guard long enough to wander into hostile territory. Tentatively, she padded forward to the creeks edge, eyes roaming along the bank of the other side in an effort to avoid detection. Satisfied that she was alone, she dipped her head towards the cool water and began to lap at its surface. Perhaps she would remain here tonight, and let the peaceful melody of the gentle creek lull her to sleep.