On your way to your grandmother's house, you dive off of a runaway coach. Brushing yourself off, you decide to take a shortcut through the woods rather than risk being spotted on the road.

After the close encounter you just, you decide to take your chances through the woods instead of possibly being spotted on the road.

"I grew up around these woods," you whisper to yourself. "This should be easier than that coach ride."

After a little while -- you think maybe half an hour -- the forest starts to get a bit darker and denser. It definitely seems much less familiar to you.

You start to more slowly. After a few minutes, you see the edge of a clearing As you pickup the page, you spot a wolf out of the corner of your eye. You don't think the wolf has seen you yet. It's attention seems to be focused on something on the other side of it.

"Grandmother's house isn't too far. I should be able to get there in no time, if this wolf doesn't notice me," you think.

Carefully watching where you step to avoid any noise, you creep away from the wolf. With the dense foliage, you have to e careful and tread softly to avoid stepping on dry twigs and leaves. Even with the caution, you hurry to get out of danger.

After a few years, you glance back to check on the wolf. It's gone! You freeze for a moment, scanning the area for any trace if the beast. Seeing none, you allow yourself a moment to think. "Perhaps he's chasing some deer. Ah well, better it that me."

Still keeping watch for the wolf, you continue on.

*SNAP!*

As you cook down to see the twig snapped in two under your boot, you hear a growl. Behind you, you see the wolf -- it's harsh, yellow eyes stare into yours. For the longest moment of your life, you can the wolf standoff, transfixed.

"Run! Run! RUN!" you hear yourself thinking. Your legs finally respond, and you start running.

The wolf barks and gives chase, quickly gaining on you. You throw your basket back at the wolf, hitting it in the nose. You hear the footsteps behind you stop as you see the clearing and your grandmother's house ahead.

*OOF!* You trip on a root. You roll over to see the wolf right on you, growling. You crawl against the tree, slowly standing up, as the wolf pins you.

There's a whistle in the distance. The wolf stops growling, though it doesn't move to let you pass. A figure emerges from the brush, wearing a dark cloak and brandishing a sword.

"You are the one they call Johann?" he bellows, holding the sword at your throat.

Fearfully, you nod. "Yes, sir." He lowers his sword. After a moment, you work up the courage to say "Is this your wolf?"

The stranger rips the pouch off of your belt. Oh no, the amulet! Your eyes widen with fear.

He opens the pouch, and the light shines on his face. "Good. The Silent Lord will be pleased," he says to himself, before turning away.

"Hey!" you shout, as the wolf snarls at you. The stranger responds by whistling again. The wolf leaps at your throat.

The last thing you see is the stranger walking towards your grandmother's house.

[Art notes: Heavy woods; a boy dressed in simple, medieval clothing, running from a wolf.]