I’ve been running in the general direction of the river, zig-zagging back and forth a bit to prolong the journey, for about twenty minutes when I hear the sound of footsteps falling in with mine.
I recognize this immediately. It isn’t a predator or a prey animal because neither one would run in step with me like this. And I don’t have to turn my head or sniff the air to know that my companion is no wild wolf.
This is another shifter choosing to run with me.
Immediately, my heart rate accelerates. Running again for the first time in years is one thing, but running with someone else is something else. I haven’t gotten a look at my companion, so I have no idea who this is. It could be anyone. It could be company I wouldn’t mind, or it could be someone I really don’t want to see.
It could be Lonnie.
Brandon warned me. So did Kayla. They both let me know that Lonnie might be coming after me. I just assumed he would come looking for me at Dad’s house when he did. But if he’s been watching me after I saw him at the boneyard, if he’s caught me alone out in the woods, he might have the upper hand on me. I could be in serious trouble.
I need to know, I realize. I can’t keep running with whoever it is and take a chance.
I curve around to the right, changing my line of sight. The wolf running beside me adjusts direction too, but not before I get a look at his thick black coat, shot through with bits of gray that I don’t remember seeing there before.