What follows the pair is a howling, snarling, snapping pack of hounds. Sometimes they sound like dogs or wolves, but sometimes more like coyotes, their yips and chatter almost like the raving of madmen.

There are about seven of them in all, each one standing about three feet at the withers. They look ungainly in motion, trotting about on short legs beneath their heavy heads. As they approach, they slow down and fan out around the Soldier— and the door. They seem to be assessing for now, pacing back and forth.

Among the clacking jaws and writhing tongues, Bucky might spot something glinting in the pale light from his lantern: a pair of green eyes. One of these hounds is not like the others, but with all of them in constant movement, it's difficult to keep track of which one.