Suddenly, a sharp noise echoed among the trees—a pained whimper. The wolf responded with a low howl, and Marianne’s stomach clenched. Something or someone else was hurt nearby. The group exchanged anxious glances, then hurried forward, pushing past branches that snagged their clothing.
The whimpering grew louder, forming a macabre chorus with the wolf’s answering cries. Finally, they reached a hollow beneath a massive oak. Marianne’s flashlight beam revealed a gaping hole at the base of the tree. In the darkness, she could just make out movement inside.