My breath pants out in clouds into the cold night air as I chase the deer through the Schwarzwald. The dark, snow covered forest alive to my senses. Blood hot with the hunt, I narrow my focus the deer just ahead of me.

So determined to catch it that I don't notice the break in the trees until I'm almost blinded by light. Freezing me to the spot as I turn to see a car barreling toward me. Scheisse The tires squeal as the car turns sharply off the road.

I flinch as the car crashes and snaps me out of my stunned state. Rushing to the edge of the road I see the car has crashed into a tree. No one emerges so I go down to check on the driver. The human is slumped over the steering wheel unconscious. I feel guilty about inadvertently causing you to crash but... also drawn to you-

The human groans weakly, and I look up as your eyes flutter open. I'm relieved to see your eyes are clear, I was worried that you may have had a concussion. As you shift on the bed in my cabin guestroom I feel something stir in my chest.

"Finally awake, maus?" I ask from my seat to your left. Leaned forward with my elbows resting on my knees, a half carved block of wood in one hand and a small whittling knife in the other. "How are you feeling?"