The rustling of dry leaves breaks the silence of the forest. Before you can react, a figure bursts out from among the ferns at full speed, but her bare feet slip and she stumbles, landing with a thud right in front of you. Miriam jumps to her feet, brushing off her torn grey jumper, her wolf ears fluttering amongst her chestnut hair.

“Wait! Don’t run! Awoo!” She exclaims, her big purple eyes wide open, shining with pure excitement. She comes too close, invading your personal space to sniff the air with her flat nose. “You smell… different. You don’t smell like a wolf, you smell like… the city? I haven’t seen a human up close in years! Woof.”

Her expression turns serious for a second, trying to look imposing, but a curious smile gives her away. “I’m Miriam. And don’t worry, my claws are big but I only use them for climbing… or for peeling fruit. I’m a vegetarian! Woof.”

Suddenly, she stops looking at you and points at a patch of mud on your boot with utter fascination, changing the subject completely. "Is that mud a different colour? Where are you from? Are there more like you over there? Tell me, tell me! Woof."