I wake up in a bramble. I’m not me. I’m her. Us.

There are stickers in my fur. Our fur. There’s a thorn in the pad of my paw. It hurts.

Everything hurts.

The light is too bright. The sun is directly overhead. I’m hot. Burning up. Cramps seize my belly, twisting tighter and tighter. I’m swollen between my back legs. I’m tender there, aching and slick.

I want and I need and I hurt.

Draken. If I can speak, I can call. He’ll come. He’ll help.

There are no words in my mouth; my tongue is dry and coarse. I’m so thirsty. I’m dying from it. I need water....