Pāhonoa te oro

Sarah lay still. Too still. The air had changed. Heavy. Quiet. Then— A sound. Outside. Slow. Deliberate. Her eyes shifted toward the cave entrance. Nothing at first. Just shadow. Then— Movement. A shape stepped into view. A wolf. It stood at the entrance. Watching. Silent. Sarah’s breath caught. Her hand searched the ground beside her. Nothing. The wolf stepped forward. One pace. Then another. Inside now. Sarah dragged herself back slightly. Too slow. Too weak. The wolf lowered its head.