Dreams turned into nightmares, then nightmares turned into reality. The white pup woke to the sound of booming thunder. Lightning danced across the sky like ribbons. The pup woke with a startled cry, looking in all directions to see where possible safety would welcome him. But no matter how much he wanted to run, his body would remain frozen.

Sitjariaq wondered where the warm den of his mother's had vanished to, now replaced by a world that he no longer recognized. Why was he taken? Would he be able to get back? Where is Mother? Nothing would ever be the same again for this young wolf of the tundra, forever trapped within a new life that he was forced to embrace. What was he to do now?

The storm came faster than he had liked, the air going heavy and electric pressing down into his fur like a warning. He had already turned back to the treeline, moving at his unhurried pace when the thunder split the world open. That'll rattle something loose tonight, he thought grimly, and he wasn't wrong. He had nearly walked past it and would have probably if the wind hadn't shifted at the right moment. A thin, frightened sound that bypassed ones thinking mind and went straight for something deeper.

The man stopped, turning his broad head slowly, clouded eyes catching almost nothing in the strobing darkness. The pale suggestion of something small huddled against the ground ahead of him, he stood still letting the rain fall as he studied and tried to sort out exactly what it was.

Slowly, he would lower himself, careful and deliberate with the slow gravity of someone who understood that size was terrifying when you were smaller, he settled onto his haunches in the mud waiting patiently while the lightning painted the world. Another crack of thunder. The small shape flinched hard, a whimper escaping it, and in that half second of light, Flicker saw enough. A pup. Months old at most.

He exhaled slowly through his nose and let his voice come out low and even the same tone he used when beginning a story.

Hey, you're alright he offered, it was a lie perhaps, but maybe not. The thunders only the sky makin' a fuss he added, unbothered by the rain soaking into his earthy coat. It's loud and dramatic but then it passes, he added speaking as if he were sitting by a warm fire instead of the stormy field.

—

Sitjariaq remained quiet, eyes as big as saucers as the thunder continued to roar. Rain soon came down, drenching the puppy almost to the point of looking like a swamp creature. He tucked himself up underneath some shrubbery as best he could, but the storm was just too much for such a small child. That's when a deep voice reached his ears, almost making him startle. Golden eyes looked over to see a darkly colored wolf, an adult with foggy eyes.

They seemed nice enough, just scary looking from the outside. No words left Sitjariaq, only movement to signal that he understood. The white pup came closer to the adult, keeping close to his warmth and protection. The explanation of the thunder and lightning made him feel a little better, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Now where were they going? Some place warm and dry, he hoped.

He felt the warmth press against him and something in his chest shifted quietly. He didn't make a fuss of the moment, he wouldn't look down or coo over the bravery it had taken, drawing attention to it would likely only make the pup feel exposed. Instead he simply adjusted, letting the curve of his side become more deliberate shelter as he noted that the boy was soaked clean through. He gave a moment of silence, letting the boy settle before he spoke.

Alright, he rumbled, We're moving now, he muttered, rising slowly to give plenty of warning to his movements. He would glance down in the pup's direction, his clouded eyes finding only the pale blur of him against the dark ground. Stay close to my side, I don't see very well and I'd rather not step on you, but we need to get you out of the weather

He set off at a pace that was slow by his measure which probably still required some effort from legs as short as his new companions. He kept his ears angled back and down, tracking the soft sounds of small paws in wet earth and adjusting when he needed to without comment.


—

The man seemed kind enough, though a bit gruff in his voice. Sitjariaq did as he was told, keeping close to the dark pelted adult as he slunk underneath his frame. Water dripped hard from his coat as he tried to shake it all out. Still the child remained silent, fear stricken at the life he had been thrusted into. What was this strange place?

Could he trust the man that now called him his companion? When was he going to get food? The little white pup's stomach growled at the thought, but he dared not whimper or show that he was in trouble. Sitjariaq would stick it out until they were someplace safe, away from the loudness the stranger called thunder and lightning.