Anna took another bite of bread and felt a breeze rustle the edges of her tunic. She gazed out along the horizon and smelled the air. She detected the faintest scent of salt mixed with iron. Her lush lips compressed into a line. She sensed a storm.

The flash of movement caught Anna’s eye just as she was gnawing on her last crust of bread. Given the velocity and location, just south of the Sisters’ caves, she assumed it had been a bird or something lifted by the breeze.

Then came a yelp.

Anna leapt to her feet. She fixed immediately on the sound, seeking its source. Within seconds she caught sight of a wolf, perched along a ledge. She held still to observe the creature and noted the dull and dirty condition of its coat. She noticed too its rib bones rippling beneath taut skin.

Anna stared in disbelief. The animal’s close approach was unprecedented—as her constant presence and surveillance had rendered the area free of major predators. Or so she had believed.

Though the creature remained a reasonable distance away, Anna did not wish to chance that it might launch an attack, especially given its desperate condition.

Remembering Solomon’s advice, she cupped her hands about her mouth and let out a mournful wail, seeking to engage the creature. Hearing the call, the animal spun on its heels and cocked its head to one side. Anna let go another cry. Hearing this, the wolf dropped its head and, seeming curious, made its way toward her. As it drew closer, it leapt onto a boulder.

Loading her sling and lifting it into position, Anna fired several stones arcing toward the animal’s perch. The stones ricocheted off the rock with loud bangs sending the wolf skittering for cover. When Anna launched a second round, the wolf dropped to the ground and streaked into the distance.

From her outpost, Anna tracked the animal’s departure until it had fled to a safe distance. When satisfied, she hooked the sling back inside her belt.

She then detected more movement.

She looked up.

The wolf could not have conquered the distance back to her that fast!

Her gaze then lighted on a human figure. Fleeing deeper into The Narrows.

Tabitha!

She had forgotten all about the younger Sister. She watched as Tabitha dashed from rock to rock, her steps frantic and uneven. Anna thought her movements indicated fear.

But to where could she possibly be running?

Her current path would only take her farther from the caves.

Perhaps she had become lost?

Dashing back along the precipice, Anna charged down into the valley. Strong in her stride, she scrambled over sharp lips of rock and tore through brambles and tight crevices until she caught up to the fleeing Sister.

When Tabitha spotted her, she yelped and ran off in the opposite direction.

“Tabitha! It is me!” Anna called out.

When Tabitha kept running, Anna sped after her.