The redwood forest is dark and nothing but shadows and fog. You’ve wedged yourself into the corner of moss covered stones to try and get away from the things that seem to be lurking just out of sight. You want to wipe the tears and snot away, but you don’t want to take your eyes away either.
You decide to try again: “Dalhia? M-mama?”
It’s no good. You just can’t make your small voice any louder. You hear a sound and look to your left, noticing a pair of silver eyes cutting through the darkness. You freeze, clutching tightly at your knees and trying to make yourself even smaller. That’s the biggest dog you’ve ever seen!
No, not a dog, a wolf. Her eyes are silver and her coat is a warm, chocolatey red and she really is the biggest animal you’ve ever seen, easily 7 or 8 feet tall, a giant of a wolf.
You know you should be afraid, but as soon as your eyes lock, your muscles relax. The large wolf pads over to you and behind her you can see the rest of her pack, all tiny in comparison to her giant form. Neither of you blink, but you can’t help yourself and whimper: “Mama?”
The wolf’s ears twitch and she bows her head. You can feel her hot breath on your face, but show no fear, and the next moment you feel a warm tongue gently lick at the tears on your face. You can’t explain how you know, but the words manage to come across all the same:
“I am Lupa. I will raise you, son of Rome, if you can prove yourself to my pack.”
She pulls away, patiently watching you. This is not your mama, but maybe she’ll be close enough. She said you were a son after all. You get to your feet and wobble over to her, sinking your fingers into her surprisingly soft fur.
III. Closed to Javert
You decide to try again: “Dalhia? M-mama?”
It’s no good. You just can’t make your small voice any louder. You hear a sound and look to your left, noticing a pair of silver eyes cutting through the darkness. You freeze, clutching tightly at your knees and trying to make yourself even smaller. That’s the biggest dog you’ve ever seen!
No, not a dog, a wolf. Her eyes are silver and her coat is a warm, chocolatey red and she really is the biggest animal you’ve ever seen, easily 7 or 8 feet tall, a giant of a wolf.
You know you should be afraid, but as soon as your eyes lock, your muscles relax. The large wolf pads over to you and behind her you can see the rest of her pack, all tiny in comparison to her giant form. Neither of you blink, but you can’t help yourself and whimper: “Mama?”
The wolf’s ears twitch and she bows her head. You can feel her hot breath on your face, but show no fear, and the next moment you feel a warm tongue gently lick at the tears on your face. You can’t explain how you know, but the words manage to come across all the same:
“I am Lupa. I will raise you, son of Rome, if you can prove yourself to my pack.”
She pulls away, patiently watching you. This is not your mama, but maybe she’ll be close enough. She said you were a son after all. You get to your feet and wobble over to her, sinking your fingers into her surprisingly soft fur.
“Okay.”