Prologue


I looked out the window. It was a clear night. I always found that bright stars
and full moons drew me to them. The moon was like a great big crystal ball in the sky.
I guess I felt that if I looked hard enough I would see my future in it.

I opened my window. The cool night air blew my hair across my cheeks. Still it was
not enough, I wanted to be under the stars. I sat on the windowsill and pushed off with
my hands. I almost landed on my feet, I had to put my hands to the ground to keep from
falling over. I ran away from my house to the woods that were only a couple blocks away.
There were fewer lights there and the sky was brighter.

I heard rustling in a bush a few paces ahead. There are all sorts of animals that
live here. It makes in the forest exciting. You never know what you will meet. As I walked
past the bush something leaped out at me. Having heard the rustling, I was already on my
guard. I dodged the animal and started to run.

Finally I caught a good look at it. It was a very large wolf, but not completely
wolf-like. I had a feeling that I should know what it was, but I was too terrified to think.
I ran for a tree, but just as I was starting to climb up it, something grabbed my pant leg.

I struggled against it, but it was too strong. I was dragged off of the tree. It let go
of my pants. I did not even get a chance to run before I felt something tear into my shoulder.
I fell to my knees. That last thing I saw before I blacked out was the bright orb that hung in
the dark sky.