8
A whimper roused me from my sleep. My eyes stuck together as I tried to open them, determined to see if Shelbie was okay. She didn't usually make noises like that and I wanted to stop them before it became anything more serious. The last thing I wanted was my poor companion to be unhappy.
"What is it, girl?" I asked sleepily, scratching her head even in my half-awake state. Petting her was one of the most natural parts of my day.
I remembered what Aaron had taught me the day before and focused on the area around her. A soft orange glow enveloped her, and somehow, I knew that was a concern. Maybe my lesson with Aaron had gone better than I thought.
A soft knocking pulled my attention away from Shelbie's dark fur.
"Hello?" I called out.
The door creaked open and Erickson stepped in w
