Page 32 of In Love With the Leshy

I hear a low whine while I scramble to my feet. It takes some effort to pull a few tightly woven leaves out of the mattress. Kneeling at the animal’s head, I dip a leaf into the brimberry jam and scoop out very little.

“I’m going to try to help you eat this, Fang. I don’t want to hurt you, but I need you to not bite me. Okay?” Fang doesn’t move or make a sound. “Are you really expecting him to talk to you?” I say to myself more than to anyone or anything else.

Wiping the little bit of jelly onto Fang’s tongue, I watch anxiously as he closes his mouth, swallows it down, then opens it again. Excitement bubbles in my belly. This is working. And I think he understands me. I continue slowly feeding Fang the brimberry jelly off of the leaf, running my hand over his coat and smoothing his hair as I give him time to digest.

The bowl is two-thirds empty when Fang struggles to roll onto his belly.

“Shh, boy. Save your strength. Em will be happy to see that you’re doing better.”

Fang crawls a few inches closer to me. He lifts his head and drops it in my lap. I don’t move.

“Aww. That’s right, boy,” I smile at him. We’re friends now.” Giving me his silent vow of friendship, Fang licks my thigh before dropping his head again and closing his eyes.

*

The night sky changes from an inky black to a dark gray. Em’s been gone most of the night, and I’m worried. I get to my feet and look down at Fang, who’s resting and breathing much easier. Pride swells in my chest that I found a way to nurse him back to health.

As if he knows I’m watching and evaluating his health, Fang opens his eyes, lifts his head, and struggles to get to his feet. While still weak, he’s worlds stronger than he was last night. I take a step toward the opening. Fang moans. I look over my shoulder at him.

“Em should’ve been back by now.”

Fang lowers his head, but his eyes never leave mine. I hem and haw, watching the sky turn to a shade of blue with pink and orange hues as I make my decision. Something’s wrong. I can’t wait any longer. Taking the almost empty bowl of brimberry jam, I step out; Fang whines and maneuvers himself in front of me, trying to herd me back into the cave.

I bend down and stroke my new friend behind the ears. “I know your job is to protect me, and you don’t want to disappoint Em, but I helped you last night. Em is hurt, and he needs help. You’re not strong enough to go, and I want you to stay here in case he comes back. This way, you can tell him that I didn’t run away from him. I went in search of him.”

Fang sits at my feet, throws his head back, and howls long and loud. I sure hope this means he understands me and is giving me his seal of approval. As I’m about to leave, I hear movement around us. I scan the perimeter. The four other wolves that escorted me to my car surround us. One by one, they sit. I look to Fang, who motions toward the forest with his head.

“Did you call them to protect me?” Keeping his head held high and his eyes locked on mine, Fang lies down on the ground.

“Good boy!” I pet him, hoping once more not to have my fingers bitten off.

*

The wolves stay close as we navigate through the trees. Two in front of me, and two behind me. I’m either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. I only hope I’m around when this is over to know which one it is.

Every now and then, a wolf veers away from the group, only to fall back in line. I’m not sure if they’re leading me or packing around me.

“Em,” I call, searching the area as we forge ahead. No answer. I tap my fingers nervously on the bowl in my hands. “Em!” I call louder.

One of the wolves runs off. Once it’s out of sight, howls fill the morning air. A second wolf darts in the direction after it. I rush after the wolves with my other two furry escorts on my heels.

My feet stop before my body does. I suck in a large gulp of oxygen, working to stay balanced, when my eyes fall on Em, lying still on the ground.

“Em,” I drop to my knees next to his head and set the bowl down by my side.

I reach out to run my hand over his skull, devoid of skin and his long, thick, green hair, but stop just short of doing so. I sit straight up on my knees so I can look over his still body, and I see that the knife is still lodged in his back. I’m not sure if I should leave it be or pull it out.

“Em,” I whisper his name. “Please wake up.” This time, I stroke the area between the antlers, barely touching him at all. “Please! I want to help you, but I need you to tell me how.”

I reach out and pluck a leaf off of a nearby bush to feed him brimberry jam the same way I did with Fang. I present the healing food to Em, holding it next to his mouth. Surprisingly, his mouth opens.

“Fang is doing much better,” I explain, stroking his head while I offer him a second helping. We’re friends now. He even called backup for me to come find you.”

I continue talking to him while feeding him until the bowl is empty.

“Erin.” His voice is low and raspy.

“I’m right here, Em. Right by your side.” I hold his hand tight, entwining my fingers with his twigy-like digits.

---