Trigger

9

She stared into its eyes. The orbs were focused on her, but something was different about them. Instead of green like most animals, they were a white starburst. The most beautiful irises she’d ever seen. They entranced her, drawing her to them. She saw intelligence behind those eyes. More than just survival instincts, but sentience.

Her heart was slamming inside her chest, telling her to be careful, but there was something else inside of her mind that said she didn’t need to worry about this wolf.

The wolf moved closer and dragged the bag in front of her. Stormy flicked her eyes downward, seeing the bag, and wondered why the hell this animal was bringing it to her.

What kind of animal had this level of awareness?

Stormy thought about darting away, even climbing a tree to get away from the wolf. But she decided that caution was the best way forward. She climbed to her feet and then stepped back. The wolf placed a single paw forward.

Before Stormy could dash away, she heard a low, pleasant voice in her mind.

You have nothing to fear from me.

Startled, she whipped her head around, looking for the source of the voice. No one. There was no one around. The wolf took another step forward.

I’m talking to you. Please don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.

Stormy faced the wolf, realizing it was still staring at her. A ludicrous thought went through her mind, and she almost laughed at it. She was beyond crazy now. What was she thinking? Wild animals didn’t communicate with words, much less telepathically.

She couldn’t help but gaze into those beautiful eyes. Then the words came out of her mouth. “A-are you talking to me through your/my mind?” Cue the straitjacket and tranquilizing meds.

The wolf sat next to the bag, its tongue out like it was attempting a smile.

I am. It’s how we communicate with some humans.

Stormy felt her anxiety fading, then watched as the wolf began to unzip the bag with its teeth. It flipped the bag open swiftly like it had experience interacting with human objects.

She saw what was in the bag and felt immediately hopeful. She spotted a gun, ammo, water, energy bars, matches, and a thermal blanket.

It looked like the man had come prepared to hunt for her a long time. Guilt rolled through her for hitting him and letting this animal kill him. But the wolf was helping her get through this difficult time in the forest.

The wolf motioned at the bag with its snout.

You should eat, the wolf said to her. You have a long journey ahead of you.

Stormy was starting to wonder if the people who had kidnapped her had given her any drugs, but her stomach and dry lips didn’t care. She needed to take care of herself first, then she could figure out what the hell was going in.

She pulled the bag closer to her, continuing to keep a cautious eye on the wolf. Its tongue flopped out its mouth, once again looking like it was smiling. Stormy ate slowly, drinking the water sparingly, even though she could have chugged it.

I’m going to help you along the way, the wolf said, startling Stormy.

Stormy gave the wolf a sly smile. She had been satiated for the time being, so her attitude was coming back with full force.

“What is going on here?” she quipped. “Am I on acid or something?”

The wolf shook its head, appearing to let out woofs of laughter. That was how Stormy interpreted it anyway.

No, no, the wolf replied. You are just able to understand me. Few humans are capable of this level of telepathy with animals. You are very special.

She had always been connected to the environment thanks to her father, so this shouldn’t be that surprising to her. But she was a rational person, so it would make sense to question herself. This kinda s**t only happened in books and movies.

Stormy finished her food and zipped up the bag. She stood, glancing down at the wolf, still apprehensive about its size, potential strength, and mouth full of teeth.

You don’t need to worry, the wolf said.

Stormy burst out laughing.

“I haven’t exactly been communicating with animals this directly before,” Stormy joked. “I just wonder why it is happening now.”

The wolf stood, then scurried past Stormy. It made her jolt slightly, but she was starting to believe this wolf had been sent to her for a reason. She just needed to go with it. Maybe she was dreaming in her hotel room after having too much to drink, even though she wouldn’t have done anything like that in a strange place.

This is the way forward, he said. I will help you along the path. Trust me, and you will see.

Stormy sighed, slinging the backpack over her shoulder. It wasn’t like she had any other choice. She had no clue where she was going. The fact that the wolf was communicating with her was something she could figure out later.

They walked in silence for some time, the wolf ahead of her, looking back now and then to make sure she was still following him. When it spoke, it made Stormy jump.

Do you need to take a break? The wolf asked.

Stormy shook her head, then realized she should probably speak out loud.

“I’m okay. I’ve been on long treks before,” she replied.

The wolf appeared to nod, then kept moving forward. There was an ease to their stride, and Stormy found herself trusting this animal. She should give it a name. She couldn’t keep calling it “animal.”

“I think I’m going to call you Snowflake,” she said out loud.

The wolf stopped moving, then abruptly looked back at her.

Really? the wolf said with a sarcastic tone. Original.

Stormy found herself giggling, which was a nice surge of a feeling since she had been plagued with anxiety over the past few days. It moved through her gently, and all at once, she was glad this craziness had found her.