The wolf got in closer, much closer. He was close enough that she could headbutt him if she wanted to. She didn’t want to. (Right?) No, she didn’t want to. That would definitely hurt. He had several inches on her and more bulk besides. Though, everything already hurt so much she figured the pain of her skull striking pavement would be pretty inconsequential in comparison.

He wanted to know what she saw. He told her it couldn’t hurt her, not really, said it like he knew what he was talking about. She tried to chuckle at that but found that her gut only twisted sickeningly, grimacing and going slack jawed, tasting iron. It was plenty hurting her, now. She almost didn’t even want to see what this “vision” had for her.

But she didn’t know how to stop the memories of a life she’d never lived.

Her head hurt. Her paw hurt, her teeth hurt, her nose hurt her eyes hurt her legs hurt her body hurt. She began to shake, still possessing just enough awareness and fine motor function to kick a leg out and widen her stance so she didn’t topple over. Her gut roiled like a snake and God, it hurt so much she felt like she’d just been sh—

It felt like she got…

Like she’d been…

Suddenly the shaking stopped, and she looked directly into the eyes of the boy in front of her. In a single, startling moment of clarify, she managed, I don’t belong here, and promptly turned to retch blood into the snow.