I am a shadow even on the brightest of days. I am one of blackness and the silver of the moon. I step on paws light as I go forth in search. It is nearing dusk, and I know one thing is certain. Sven is missing. It is difficult for me to keep track of all of my children. I only have one eye, and if they all decide to run off in different directions? Then what? I cannot split into four...I only wish that I could meld into darkness, become their shadow so I could watch over them and ensure the evils of this world do not grab hold of them.

Because certainly, if one thing is clear in my quiet mind, is that there is evil lurking near by. Everywhere there is a potential threat. The world could be a good place, everyone seems to have a choice in their actions, and yet they let their jaws fall upon others in a lusting for blood. Yes, evil is everywhere, and I must not let it rip apart my children as it has ripped apart me.

Thus why I attempted to follow the trail of my son, Sven. He came this way, into the woods that are relatively close to the pack. I know he must be close, he couldn't have gone too far, and yet he was far enough to be out of my reach. I am worried about him, and I feel it clinging to my chest. I am not even entirely sure where all my children are, and my body is thick with stress.

I simply want to find him, my one good eye of gold desperately searching around. There is foliage everywhere. Trees are tall and frequent, the ground is covered, and I know this will not be an easy task. Perhaps it is foolish of me to worry to so much, but he is young. I let my silver paws continue on, my blackened form touched with white speckles going a bit deeper into the woodland.

It is starting to grow darker. Dusk is approaching, and I whined softly to myself as I stop once more. My head lifts, looking about, unsure what to do. A frown is touching my face as my chest tightens even more. I do not want to disappoint Everchime, yet I know I would feel better knowing she was here, our other pups safe in the den. Instead, I am a wreck, my body starting to shake ever so slightly. I do not know what I would do if I failed my children, and they were grasped by the jaws of evil...and yet, I do expect that I would never be a good father...never be much of anything...and it is only showing more and more as I lose more of my body with my ripped out eye, scars, and missing ear...