- “Wolf” Part I
- “Wolf” Part II
- “Wolf” Part III
- “Wolf” Part IV
- “Wolf” Part V
I awoke to the glare of sunshine outlining Silver’s upper body as he approached my rock. All I could recall of the dream was the lupine grin the great wolf wore that seemed to approach laughter as I shouted, “Wait! I need to know!”
“Need to know what?” Silver crested the small hill and I could see his smile.
In a flash of remembrance, I saw Silver flying at my throat. My fragmented, wispy dream made me suddenly wary of him, and Silver’s eyes belied his confusion. “What’s the matter, why are you upset?”
His confusion was genuine. I couldn’t place it, but something was wrong with me. Silver’s presence was agitating me, and he knew this, as only a wolf’s synthesis of senses can know a thing.
“If I’ve upset you with this rogue talk, forgive me.” His brow was creased with his concern and his manner and scent showed me his sincerity. I did not doubt him, yet I grew more restless as Silver approached.
Finally within a couple of yards of me he stopped. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this, I came to the park in pursuit of the rogue, and here you lie in the wake of his path. Did you not sense him?”
I moved as if to speak, but halted. I knew my body would betray me in so many ways that lying to Silver about the rogue in my store would be impossible. I began to understand the message my body was trying to send my mind: flee; leave this wolf behind; conceal the source of your discomfort and unravel the knot, your mind! The dimly recalled flashes and swirling half-images of the dream were ever at the helm of this decision.
“I’m sorry, Silver, I must leave.” I did not run. I knew Silver would not follow, his dignity forbade it. I stepped from the gates of the park into the incessant traffic, both human and mechanical. I had to grin at the thought of Silver mulling over this episode as he tracked the rogue. I knew he would eventually seek me out to discover the truth behind my avoidance.
I couldn’t face him now. Not knowing what I — What? I mused, What did I know?
I could easily face Silver if my only knowledge were that of the rogue’s appearance, but it ran deeper. So deep I could not fathom its form. How could I defend myself and the rogue from Silver if I was unsure why I should feel the need to do so in the first place?
Why hadn’t I just spilled everything – the rogue, the dream… Silver would understand, wouldn’t he?
A chill crept up my spine: Silver at my throat in dream world was the only answer I had.
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