After it all comes pouring down.

II. Next to black

I just sat there. I wasn't doing anything else. Just feeling the cold breeze on my scarred face. One full with droplets of dribbling rivers.

The moon was hidden behind a curtain of black clouds, barely shining at all.
Not a single cricket sang in the forest.
No sounds disturbed the silence.
No one to be found.

Except for me.

Sitting all alone in a rotting tree log, filled with different types of fungi on the inside.
I called it the shallow tree.
No one cared about it, and it almost seemed forgotten.

Almost.

It was sort of big, and it hung oner a small ridge, conveniently placed so it wouldn't fall, resulting in the perfect place for a picture.
I usually came to visit the old location daily. It gave me a sensation of both freedom and peace, for some reason.

Both feelings that I needed right now.

But destiny can be a prick sometimes, and I learned it the hard way.
I always felt alone on this tiny planet. Felt like I couldn't talk to anyone.
Overwhelming thoughts visited every night. They must all hate me. They do. They think I'm a nuisance.

But I didn't know why. And I despised it.

...

The mist cleared up a bit, allowing the moon to shyly leave her hiding place. Oddly enough, the moon reminded me of myself.

And that's the exact moment when my ears caught it.

A sound.

Not far away.

Actually, fairly close. Barely a few meters from my secret hiding place.
I stood up, picking the small wooden spear I made. Some bushes rattled, my anxiety growing fairly quick.

A paw emerged. Then another. And I saw it.

A grey wolf.

Lurking in the shadows, piercing them with its bright honey-like eyes.
And suddenly, all fear left my body.

I didn't understand. Why wasn't I scared? Why wasn't I running for my pathetic life?
Why did destiny seem to want to torture me every day?
My thoughts and questions were unanswered.

They always were.

The wild beast walked slowly, coming closer.
I watched his movements, observing his swiftness and grace.
He didn't appear like an ordinary wolf to me, for some unknown motive.
He was silent all the way. Not daring to make a sound.
His head wasn't hunched down like wolves usually do when hunting. Instead, it was high, his ears placed in a casual position. Not lowered sharply, just... Sitting there, on his head, not tense.

He was a magnificent specimen of his category.
He had a big, but athletic and swift-looking body. His fur covered most of it, except for some parts.

He was barely a mere meter away from me. And he stayed there. Not moving at all. His snout then flinched when I tripped over a small pebble. I wasn't hurt, so I sat back down again, this time on the cold grassy ground.

"Why are you here?"

I asked the predator. He slightly turned his head, curious.
However, I felt like an answer abruptly popped in my head.

'The dusk called me.'

I didn't understand how it happened. It felt like it was a mere thought of mine but like someone talking at the same time as well.

"Do you have a name?" I commented. After a few seconds, I heard.

'I do not.'

The unknown wolf blinked. His sharp irises still shining in the night.

"Did I do something wrong?" I questioned him, lowering my tone.

'You did not. It isn't your fault, Minia.'

My mouth opened slightly, awe scarcely tugging at the corner of my lips. He knew my name.
I brought a hand to my face, realizing droplets were falling monotonously onto the ground.
I wiped them off, using my sleeve.

"Did... Did you come here looking for me?"

He merely nodded.

"Are you here to help?"

Another quick but soft nod.

"Am I a monster?"

He looked into my eyes, denying what I mumbled, shaking his head softly.

'I came here because you needed a companion. You aren't the problem, child. They are.'

I sniffled.
"I- Thank you."

He slowly blinked.

I sat on his side, while he peeked at me.

He blinked again.

I smiled for the first time in days. And yes, it was a sad smile, granted, but one nonetheless.

"Can... Can I give you a name?"

There was a pause. He looked at the sky, as the invisible ceiling graced on top of us.

'You can.'

I sat there, thinking. I wanted a name full of meaning, something that represented him.

"Ansh." I finally responded.

He gazed at me.

'It is a nice choice.'

He didn't speak much, yet his words seemed to be full of wisdom.

I smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Ansh," I spoke.

The moon was finally out. It was really pretty.

'You as well, Minia.'