The forest was in a state of eerie silence that morning, aside from the few birds that dared to flutter from tree to tree and whisper in soft voices. There were no deer appearing from the pine boughs to forage for food, no rabbits bounding across the trail, and hardly a sign of the usual bear that wandered through. Everything was silent.....almost frightened to begin their day and emerge into the open.  

  [i]The wolves were loud last night......but that wouldn't make the entire forest come to a standstill....[/i]

Sky frowned and kept her brown eyes fixed on the trail ahead; sitting astride her horse with shoulders back and head high. 
   The animal beneath her chose it’s steps carefully yet swiftly while maneuvering down the rocky path. Its hide was a glistening gold in the sunlight while its mane and tail were ebony black. Snorting it shook its mane and gazed with rather tense brown eyes at its surroundings; as if something in the trees could jump out at any second. 

  Sky sighed and looked down before reaching foreword and patting her horse ‘Mya’ on the shoulder, “It’s alright girl…..” 
  Reaching up she adjusted the wide brimmed cowboy hat on her head and grimaced. After last night…..nothing was quite right. 

  All through the late night Sky was kept up by the distant yet unmistakable howls of wolves; or rather a single wolf. For a long while it just howled, then silence, then the spree of spine chilling cries filled the night air once more. Compared to the usual chorus of voices, the single howl had confused Sky as well as intrigued her. She went out the next morning, her day off from work, in search of signs. 

  Now, a few miles from her home Sky kept watch for any sign of wolf anywhere. But had not yet been successful.  

  Horse moving into a trot up the pathway Sky directed her west; towards the nearby lake where campers often stayed the night. The howls had originated close by……maybe they knew something.

  Coming up to a break in the treeline she sucked in a breath at the sight of tents clustered nearby the shimmering water’s shore. Sky would have to go up and talk to them; get some answers, then hopefully leave with a little more information than she started. 

  Breaking out into the open Vashti nudged her boot gently into her horse’s side, not helping but grin when they took off at a steady canter. She remained neatly balanced and moved with her mount; guiding her right up to the nearest tent. 

  Sky frowned when she saw no one at first glance. They had to be nearby…..

Cupping her hands around her mouth she called out, “Hello? Anyone there?”