Bright Eyes and the Wolf Man

There is an old lady who sings to the moon. Once a month when the moon is full and twice a month when the moon is blue, she climbs the Prejudiced Stairs to the highest outcropping of Mount Acceptance. And there, while perched upon that rock, she would pull her shawl tighter around her shoulders, tilt her head to the pale and perfect celestial body hanging in the night sky, and she would sing a song of such great sorrow.

I have listened to her phantom's lullaby for as long as I can remember. And although the years have withered her figure and stolen her agility, she still climbs those perilous stairs every month, sometimes twice a month, without fail. And her voice remains unchanged, sweet and young and full of understanding. It drifts towards the valley below, calming the predator's unrelenting hunger and call for the hunt, silencing the cries of the babes.

Mama, who is the old lady and why does she sing to the moon?

.

Bright Eyes was frozen in terror. The kindling she had been collecting from the forest floor lay sprawled in a chaotic heap around her feet. Her eyes remained locked onto a prone figure lying before her. His breathing was ragged and shallow, his body covered in scars and scratches. A deep animal bite punctured his left shoulder and a long gash ran across his stomach, bleeding heavily.

But the blood and the flesh and the lacerations were not the things that scared her. It was something else. As she looked from the man's body to his face, taking in his long silky lupine hair and prominent nose, staring into his soulful eyes, she could not shake the feeling that the man before her, although human in all outward appearances, did not feel human. Confused, knowing that what she was feeling did not make any sense, she stood in the small clearing and whispered one single solitary word: "Wolf."

"Change," the man sighed dejectedly. "No such thing."

.

Sadness and melancholic regrets began to flood Bright Eyes as she visualized her life ending at the hands of the Wolf Man. While her attention was diverted a bobcat, who had been circling her for the past half hour, chose his opportune moment to leap. The Wolf Man saw the bobcat out of the corner of his eye and, with a loud grunt, launched himself into the girl. There was a piercing scream as Bright Eyes and the Wolf Man tumbled in a heap to the floor, the one hundred pound bobcat flying across barely inches above them. The Wolf Man quickly untangled himself from the girl and, with one hand clenching his stomach wound closed, stood up, revealing a long bushy wolf's tail streaming out behind him. He cautiously circled the bobcat.

The bobcat retreated a few steps every time the Wolf Man advanced, hissing as the Wolf Man growled. Finally, after extending a paw and feinting an attack once or twice, the bobcat turned around and fled.

The Wolf Man slumped to the forest floor and began gasping for air. The last image he saw before he closed his eyes and drifted off into sweet oblivion was the girl standing over him, perplexity plastered across her face.

.

Bright Eyes gazed down at the Wolf Man, whose head was propped up against her folded legs. As she dipped the washcloth once more into the bowl of water she was surprised to realize how young he was. He could've been roughly her age. It was his eyes that contradicted the rest of his body. When she had stared into them back in the forest clearing they had spoken of wisdom and experiences never before encountered by any man. They had spoken of an understanding of the way of things and a weariness of life. A boy who was forced to grow up too hard too fast, she thought.

She wrung the washcloth dry and gently cleansed the scratches on his face.

The Wolf Man shot out an arm and grasped her wrist firmly, his eyes still closed.

A long moment passed in which Bright Eyes remained utterly still, her hand poised calmly over his face.

Gradually, the Wolf Man opened his eyes. His eyes roamed around the room, then came back to rest on her.

She stared back at him steadily.

.

Chief Soft Mind, father of Bright Eyes and leader of the tribe, called for silence from the squabbling committee. The cause of their dissension: the monster their precious Bright Eyes had brought back from the dark forest.

"He is a demon child," cried Deep Root. "Sent by the Great Ender himself to destroy us all."

"Did you not see his tail?" proclaimed Self Love. "He is a bastard child, sired by a wolf and mothered by a retarded human. He is unnatural, a freak of nature. He should not be allowed to exist. It is against the way of things."

"He opened his eyes and growled at me when they were carrying him into Bright Eyes' tent-I swear he did," Distrustful Heart whispered nervously. "He means to kill us all. As soon as he has healed and regained his strength blood will flow in this community. Coarsely and darkly it will flow."

"Silence!" Chief Soft Mind commanded brusquely.

The tent of the All-Knowing Elders quieted at once.

Chief Soft Mind looked at each of his advisors in turn, making sure he had all of their attention before finalizing his decision. "We are a civilized people," he began, his voice booming. "Insofar as we understand the circumstances, he saved my daughter from a painful death. Propriety states that we owe him at least a sanctuary in which he can heal and restore his strength. We will tolerate him to stay within our borders, keeping a wary eye on him at all times. When he is properly able to fend for himself we will allow him to return to the forest from whence he came."

"But-" interjected Deep Root.

Chief Soft Mind silenced him with a piercing glare. "We are a civilized people," he repeated through gritted teeth. "And my judgment is final."

.

"I don't know where I came from," said the Wolf Man. "No matter how hard I try to think back the only memory I have is just one of being."

"Well surely you must've come from somewhere," replied Bright Eyes. She poured some water into a porcelain cup and made her way back to the bed the Wolf Man was sitting on. She handed him the cup and sat down next to him.

"I've been running all my life. If I did come from somewhere I didn't stay there long." He took a long drink.

Bright Eyes stared at the bushy tail that lay folded behind him, pensive. Absent-mindedly, she reached out to stroke it.

"It's real, if that's what you're wondering," the Wolf Man broke into her thoughts, stilling her hand in mid-air. He turned to face her and a grim smile spread across his face. "When your hand alights upon it it'll feel all warm and alive and you'll recoil in horror. Then you'll run outside, screaming bloody murder and crying for your mother. But by the time you've rallied a big enough mob to come back with torches and pitchforks I promise you, I'll be gone."

She frowned at him. "You delight in scaring me," she stated pointedly.

"Oh no, not delight. Never delight," he assured her. "I've just come to learn that if I don't develop a sense of humor, no matter how sick and twisted it might be, I would go insane."

.

"I don't understand," said Bright Eyes. "People change all the time. We have to, to survive. When people come to see that you're not a threat I'm sure they'll let you stay here forever."

"Change," replied the Wolf Man disconsolately. "No such thing."

Bright Eyes smiled a wide, amused smile. "Oh? Is that a challenge then?"

.

"I don't think this is such a good idea," the Wolf Man said apprehensively.

"Nonsense," Bright Eyes replied brightly. "We're just going out for a walk is all. We are a civilized people. I'm pretty sure we at least have the freedom to walk where we want, so long as it falls within the parameters of not putting anyone else in danger."

"You'd be surprised at the ways that statement that can be interpreted," the Wolf Man murmured dismally.

Wordlessly, Bright Eyes grabbed his right arm and draped it across her shoulders. She wrapped one arm around his waist and helped him up from the bed. Half supporting him and half dragging him, she made her way to the entrance of the tent and out into the bright sunshine.

.

Stare.

That's all anyone ever did.

They would stop whatever they were doing, no matter how insignificant or how important their task. They would drop everything they were doing and just stare.

Every village and every tribe from the eastern mountains to the western sea, they all did the same thing, all had the same reaction.

Women stopped husking corn. The hands that ground the grain would go still and limp. Children, sensing something amiss in the atmosphere, would stop their games and run to hide behind their mothers. Men would stop sharpening their arrows, their expressions turning hostile and cold. They would maneuver their weapons just the slightest bit, allowing the sharp tip to catch the falling sunlight and reflect off a sterling warning.

It's happened so many times it was almost comical.

And the Wolf Man hadn't expected this time to be any different.

.

A small boy of three years, known to everyone as Small Voice, was intrigued. He was intrigued by the stranger because he had a big fluffy tail trailing out behind him. No one else had a fluffy tail. He's never seen anyone else with a fluffy tail. He wanted a fluffy tail. He wondered if the fluffy tail was real.

Oblivious to the stares and the sudden hush of the tribe around him, Small Voice quickly scurried over to the stranger. His mother gasped and extended an arm out to catch him, but only managed to catch a fistful of thin air.

Small Voice fell into step behind Bright Eyes and the Wolf Man. When he was within reaching distance he held out a hand and stroked the soft fur of the listless tail.

The Wolf Man immediately stopped walking, Bright Eyes with him. Slowly, the Wolf Man turned around to face the boy.

Tension increased noticeably amongst the ranks of the watchers.

For a long while the Wolf Man stared at the boy. Small Voice remained quiet, averting his eyes shyly.

Eventually the Wolf Man, with some pain, kneeled down in front of the boy. He took his arm from around Bright Eyes' shoulders and reached behind his neck to undo the clasp of a necklace he wore. The string was made of leather and the amulet which hung from the center was a carnivore's tooth. He held the dangling enamel jewel in front of the small boy and asked him: "Do you know what a jubatus is?"

Small Voice shook his head.

"It's like a bobcat. Only bigger and faster. A lot faster."

Small Voice's eyes widened.

"Yeah, I encountered one a few years back. Gave me quite a fight. Nearly lost my life too." The Wolf Man regarded the tooth for a moment, then handed it to the boy. "Never take your life for granted. There are too many things in this world that want it."

Small Voice accepted the necklace with reverence. After a moment's silence he launched himself into the Wolf Man, hugging him forcefully. The Wolf Man reeled and nearly fell backwards in shock, but managed to catch himself at the last moment. Tentatively, he returned the hug.

The tension around them relaxed instantaneously and the group of watchers dispersed, returning to their daily chores. It was as if Small Voice's acceptance had released the floodgates of begrudging approval.

Wolf Man, with his arms still around Small Voice, looked up at Bright Eyes apprehensively.

"That was so sweet," she said, smiling admiringly.

.

An elderly woman stuck her head through the tent flaps and asked timidly, "Is the Wolf Man here?"

The Wolf Man looked up from where he was lying on the bed and Bright Eyes looked up from changing his bandages. She quickly wiped the excess blood on a nearby washcloth and made her way to the tent entrance.

"He's resting," Bright Eyes said firmly, a hint of protectiveness in her voice. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh no," the woman said hurriedly, averting her eyes. "It's just that, well..."

"Yes?" Bright Eyes prompted suspiciously.

"It's almost time for the women and the children to go out and tend to the fields," the woman began hesitantly.

"I am aware of that, yes," replied Bright Eyes curtly.

"And, my son has refused to go out to the fields with me," the woman continued haltingly.

"Yes, children can be stubborn like that. But I don't see what that has to do with anything-"

"I was wondering if the Wolf Man would watch over him for the day," the woman interrupted hurriedly.

After a moment's comprehension a wide grin spread across Bright Eyes' face.

Further back in the tent, the Wolf Man sat up too suddenly and groaned. "I don't think that would be a good idea," he muttered, clutching his stomach.

"Nonsense," replied Bright Eyes happily, not even turning around to look at him. "It's a wonderful idea. While the women are in the fields and the men are off to their daily hunt you'll be bored out of your mind."

"I think I can live with that."

"So who are we entertaining today?" inquired Bright Eyes, trying to peer around the tent.

The elderly woman shoved her son forward.

It was Small Voice.

When the boy's eyes alighted upon the Wolf Man his expression brightened noticeably. He ran to the bed and threw himself into the Wolf Man.

Bright Eyes sighed wistfully. "How precious."

The Wolf Man groaned again, loudly.

.

"So," the Wolf Man began awkwardly, "What do you do for fun around here?"

Small Voice tilted his head up, thinking. Then, beaming, he grabbed both of the Wolf Man's hands and dragged him off the bed. He pulled the Wolf Man outside.

All the able men and women had gone off to their respective jobs. The village was left quiet and serene. Only the elderly and the youngest children were to be found around.

Small Voice pulled him down a beaten path that ran between two rows of tents. Near the middle of the path they came upon an old man sitting in a rickety chair. He was smoking a pipe and relaxing in his tent's shadow.

Small Voice let go of the Wolf Man and ran up to the old man. "Well, well, well," the old man pronounced warmly, extending a hand out to stroke the boy's head. "And how is this fine morning finding us today, young one?"

The old man brought the pipe back to his mouth and puffed a few smokes. His eyes then turned to the Wolf Man. Taking the pipe from his mouth he said, "And you must be that stranger I've been hearing so much about. The Great and Omnipotent Freak of Nature?"

The Wolf Man stiffened in anger as the old man leaned towards him conspiratorially. "I was hoping to make a bargain with you," the old man continued in a lowered tone. "As you can see, I already have few years left in my allotted time here on earth. I was hoping that, perhaps you would have the mercy to allow me those few years? I have some chickens in the tent I'd be more than happy to barter for my life with."

"Look," the Wolf Man said testily. "I haven't done anything to you. If you have a problem with being left alone just tell me and I assure you I will gladly fix it-immediately."

The old man laughed, one loud uproarious laugh.

Small Voice turned to the Wolf Man and smiled.

The Wolf Man looked from the small boy to the old man warily.

The old man was laughing so hard he had to wipe streams of tears from his eyes. "I'm just kidding with you boy," he finally managed when he had gotten himself under control more or less. "I may look old but I implore you, do not confuse me with those ignorant All-Knowing Elders. Oh no, no. I got no qualms with you. Would you like a smoke?" The old man held out his pipe amiably.

The Wolf Man made no move to accept the pipe. "You...have nothing against me?" he asked with soft incredulity. "Nothing about the way I look? Or-or the way I act? Or the fact that I have a tail?"

The old man shook his head vigorously. "Nope. Those things don't bother me one bit."

"What's your name?" the Wolf Man inquired, genuinely curious.

"Common Sense," replied the old man.

.

When Bright Eyes returned from the fields she was met with an extraordinary sight. A majority of the elderly had gathered in a loose circle outside Common Sense's tent. They were watching with authentic joy as the children playfully wrestled with the Wolf Man. The smaller children tried to capture and pin down his wagging tail while the older children took turns jumping on top of him and bowling him over. Laughter and happiness ensued while the setting sun framed the sight in stunning supereminence.

Bright Eyes found herself swelling with an odd kind of happiness, one she had never felt before. Smiling, she made her way through the crowd and attempted to disentangle her Wolf Man from the shrieking children.

The children erupted in a unanimous moan.

"Oh come on, it's almost suppertime. You don't want your mommies getting mad now do you?"

At this the children quickly dispersed and scurried home. The elderly, laughing, slowly followed.

When the crowd had cleared the Wolf Man sighed and laid himself flat on the ground. "Nasty little things, children," he said amiably.

Bright Eyes folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes. She couldn't stop smiling. "Don't be such a hypocrite. You know you enjoyed that as much as the children, if not more." She turned to Common Sense, who was beginning to get off his creaking chair. "Thank you for watching over him. I don't know what kind of troubles he would've got swept up into if you hadn't been here to babysit him."

"Oh, it was nothing," the old man chuckled. "Nothing at all." He waved once with his pipe and disappeared into his tent.

Bright Eyes looked back down at the Wolf Man, still sprawled across the floor. She tapped one foot with mock impatience. "Are you going to get up? Or am I going to have to feed you while you're lying there?"

The Wolf Man pretended to think about this for a while. "I think...the latter."

Bright Eyes bent down, bringing her face as close to the Wolf Man as she could. "I only feed the limbless and the mentally handicapped."

The Wolf Man sighed. "How I envy them."

"You should," replied Bright Eyes with good-humored darkness. "At least people still consider them human."

The Wolf Man's face fell.

Bright Eyes, realizing her mistake, quickly looked down. "I-I'm sorry," she muttered. She stood up and walked away hurriedly.

The Wolf Man jumped up and ran to catch up with her. He caught her by the arm.

Bright Eyes turned around, startled.

"There's something I want to show you," said the Wolf Man.

.

Past the Prejudiced Stairs and past the highest outcropping of Mount Acceptance the moon loomed big and full and white and perfect.

The Wolf Man helped Bright Eyes make her way to the edge of the outcropping. There they sat, dangling their legs in the face of the sheer drop below.

"It's beautiful," Bright Eyes marveled. "I've never thought to come up here when it's complete like this."

The Wolf Man nodded.

They sat for a long while in silence, reveling in the impossible talents of Mother Nature and enjoying each other's company. Quietly, Bright Eyes scooted closer to the Wolf Man.

The Wolf Man smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her even closer

Bright Eyes laid her head against his shoulder and settled herself against his warm body.

"Do you know why I love the moon?" the Wolf Man asked.

"No," she said, smiling dreamily. "Why do you love the moon?"

"Because it has got to be the only unbiased body in the whole universe. It views everything in the same light. Not like the garish sun who picks out and distinguishes all the contrasting colors of everything. The moon cloaks everything in the same monochromatic color and loves everything equally."

Bright Eyes sighed. "So beautiful."

.

Chief Soft Mind once again called for silence from the raucous committee. But this time the Elders were not condemning. They were praising.

"The children have taken a strong liking to him," Deep Root stated respectfully. "We must follow the children's example. They have a sixth sense that they have not yet outgrown. If they deem something is good and trustworthy, then it is exactly that."

"I must admit, I feel better that there is a strong male presence to protect the children and the elderly when the warriors are gone," proclaimed Self Love. "It has always been a worry of mine that no men are here to protect us when the warriors go off to hunt."

"He is a godsend," Distrustful Heart fawned admiringly. "Ever since his arrival the animals have stayed far from our camp site. We no longer have to worry about wild ravages and chaotic pillaging in the night."

Chief Soft Mind nodded sagely. "I have been approached with the proposal that the Wolf Man be allowed a permanent place within this tribe. Am I correct in assuming that the wishes of this committee be unanimous in accepting the Wolf Man as one of us?"

All three men nodded fervently.

.

Small Voice burst through the tent flaps, his tiny hands cupped together. He located the Wolf Man sitting on the bed and quickly ran over to him.

"Well hello there," said Bright Eyes, as the small boy hopped onto the Wolf Man's lap. Bright Eyes was folding washcloths. As she placed the last piece on top of the pile she gave the Wolf Man a knowing look. The Wolf Man caught her glance and smiled sheepishly.

Small Voice's mother soon entered the tent. "Sorry about that," she apologized hurriedly. "He was just so eager to spend the night here."

"Oh that's quite all right," Bright Eyes chirruped happily.

"What do you have in there?" inquired the Wolf Man, nodding towards the little boy's cupped hands.

"That's his new pet frog," answered his mother. "He found it in the creek today."

"Is that so?" the Wolf Man asked Small Voice.

Small Voice nodded eagerly.

"Well you boys play nice, all right?" said Bright Eyes, grabbing the pile of neatly folded washcloths. Small Voice's mother came over and grabbed a second pile that was behind the first. "Now," continued Bright Eyes, giving both the boys a warning glare. "I don't want to be hearing that either of you has caused any mischief while we're gone, okay?"

The Wolf Man smiled. Small Voice giggled.

"We'll just be a few tents over in Parti Pris' tent," said Small Voice's mother. "The Great Creator be willing let's hope her baby will come out without any troubles tonight." She trotted over to her son, carefully balancing the pile of washcloths as she went, and bent down to kiss him on the forehead. "You be good now, you hear?"

Small Voice nodded obediently.

The two women departed.

.

The small pet frog inevitably escaped. It hopped out of the tent and into the wilderness. Small Voice took after it and the Wolf Man followed behind at a casual pace, overwhelmed with a sense of contentment. For once in his life he felt that all was right with the world. He had finally found his true home. There was no need to run anymore. He had found true happiness.

The Wolf Man absently watched as Small Voice threaded through the trees, his mind still marveling at the end of his journey.

Suddenly a pale flash of orange crossed his vision. It crashed into the figure of Small Voice, now tiny with distance. He saw Small Voice fall as a scream pierced the dense darkness of the forest.

He watched the bobcat jump onto the chest of the small boy. Its one hundred pounds of strength and sinew worked against the brittle lungs, suffocating the life out of the frail body.

The Wolf Man let out a yell and ran towards the boy. But even before he reached him he knew it was too late. With one clean swipe to the jugular the bobcat had effectively changed Small Voice from a person to an object. The life blood gushed out from the young throat and spilled onto the forest floor in cascades.

The Wolf Man screamed and picked up a nearby rock, hurling it at the bobcat in desperation. It missed by mere inches. The bobcat snarled at him, then turned around and bounded away.

The Wolf Man fell to his knees beside the body of Small Voice. He instinctively placed his hands across the boy's throat, futilely attempting to stem the flow. "Small Voice," he muttered frantically, "Small Voice say something. Open your eyes. Open your eyes and say something! Anything!"

He changed his grip, clamping the throat with one hand while he used his other hand to pump the chest of the small corpse. He pressed down several times, then bent over and blew into the cold mouth. He pumped again and blew again. And pumped again and blew again. And again and again and again.

A hail was heard in the distance. The Wolf Man straightened up from the body, his face, chest, and hands saturated in blood. He straightened up and turned around to face his accuser.

.

Small Voice's mother took in the Wolf Man's disheveled hair, wild eyes, and blood-soaked front, uncomprehending. Then her eyes fell on the body of her dead son and she understood.

She screamed one long, shrill scream.

.

This time there was no need for Chief Soft Mind to call for silence from the committee. The Elders were humbled with reverence and with fear. Reverence for the killing of a young one and fear for the killer.

"He is a powerful creature," Deep Root said solemnly. "He has bewitched the children and blindsided us all. He meant to coerce us into letting our guard down, then striking when we least expected. In this endeavor he has succeeded utterly."

"We are no longer safe with him here," proclaimed Self Love. "Today he mauls a young child. Tomorrow he will massacre the entire tribe. If we do not do something soon I fear even our warriors will be no match against him."

"He has powers," Distrustful Heart murmured under his breath. His eyes darted back and forth anxiously. "Did you know that? Unimaginable powers. And they are growing with each passing day. Do you know why the animals have kept away from our village? Because they fear him. As should we. We would be fools indeed if we did not interpret this absence of the animals as a sign of warning."

"So what you are proposing is..." Chief Soft Mind looked at each of his advisors in turn, even though he already knew the judgment.

"Death," confirmed Deep Root.

The other two Elders nodded austerely.

.

"Why did you do it?" asked Bright Eyes.

The Wolf Man sat with his hands tied around a wooden post behind him. He slowly looked up into her eyes. "You don't believe me either," he stated tiredly.

"I believe you."

"You do?"

"I believe you."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"You were right. People never change."

"Change," the Wolf Man whispered despondently. "No such thing."

Bright Eyes turned around and began walking away, then stopped suddenly and turned back around.

"You know I love you, right?" she said.

The Wolf Man grinned wryly. "Yeah."

"I just didn't want you to go without knowing."

The Wolf Man regarded her for a long while.

"Thank you," he said.

.

The sharp edge of a spearhead was held against the Wolf Man's throat. As he sat immobile one of the warriors untied his hands from around the post, brought them around to his front, and retied them.

"Get up," the man holding the spear snarled maliciously.

The other warrior pulled the Wolf Man up roughly. Two more warriors with identical spears, their tips newly sharpened, surrounded the Wolf Man on three sides. They prodded him forward.

The Wolf Man was guided down a straight path. To either side of him the tribe had gathered. Their faces were slack but they stared at him through hollow, condemning eyes.

As the Wolf Man slowly walked the Walk of the Damned he passed a struggling Bright Eyes. She was being held back by two warriors, her face streaked with tears. The Wolf Man continued on and he passed Small Voice's mother. Hatred burned bright and intense in her eyes as she spat in his face. He continued on and passed Chief Soft Mind. The leader's expression was dull and indifferent, nonchalantly submissive to the will of the people.

The warriors prodded him down a long winding path through the wilderness. The rest of the tribe followed behind at a ceremonial pace, completing the procession. When the trees cleared the Prejudiced Stairs loomed before him, stark and unwelcoming against the night sky. The stars twinkled brightly.

They made him climb the ragged stairs. When he was halfway up he tripped and one of the warriors stabbed him in the back. He grunted and bit his lip, refusing to scream. Awkwardly pushing himself up with his tied hands, he blindly stumbled up the rest of the stairs. The outcropping of Mount Acceptance was in sight when his foot caught on the last step. He fell forwards and one of the guards promptly kicked him in the stomach, hard.

The warriors forced him to the edge of the outcropping. He looked down the steep drop grimly and turned around. The wind that wound up from the valley below struck his back and chilled him. He shivered.

The entire tribe had now gathered on top of Mount Acceptance, their faces blank and their eyes burning with righteousness.

Three guards stood in a line before the Wolf Man. The one in the middle brought up his spear and drove it through the Wolf Man's stomach. Groaning, the Wolf Man grabbed the wooden pole protruding from his body and fell to his knees. The warrior to his right swung the butt of his spear down to collide with the Wolf Man's skull. When the Wolf Man toppled limply to the floor the third warrior kicked him over the cliff.

The tribe applauded civilly.

.

Bright Eyes waited patiently for the people to grow tired of the ensuing festivities. When they retired to their tents for the night she grabbed her shawl off her bed, wrapped it around herself, and entered the wilderness alone. She climbed the Prejudiced Stairs reverently, her face still streaked with trails of tears that had long since dried. When she reached the highest outcropping of Mount Acceptance she walked to the place where the earth was still damp with the Wolf Man's blood and sat down beside it. She sat for a long while in silence, lost in her own thoughts.

Eventually, she pulled out of her reverie. Wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she tilted her head to the pale moon in the night sky and sang.

She sang for mankind's unyielding disposition, she sang for mankind's inability to change. She sang for mankind's unforgiving nature and she sang for mankind's ultimate fate. But most of all she sang for her lost love.

Her melancholic harmonies blended sweetly with the soughing wind as it drifted off into the valley below.