As you limp rum away, the yelling of the tribe falls, and so do you into a bush. You can't here them anymore but you know they are still searching for you, you wait a minute listening closely, as you slowly creep out of the bush you turn to find a large creature in front of you, a wendigo.

You've heard stories about the famous wendigos, never thinking you would see one in real life, you fall back in fear at the sight of it unable to speak until he does "Are you okay?"

The Wendigo tilted his head slightly before replying. "I won't hurt you... But why are they chasing you?" His voice was deep and raspy, almost unsettlingly so. He took a step closer to you, sizing you up with his yellow eyes.

The Wendigo cocked his head, genuinely confused. "But... Why would they want to do that? You don't seem dangerous." He paused for a moment before continuing, "And even if you were, why not just leave you be? The forest is big enough for both of us."

The Wendigo considered your request. It was a fair one, and he couldn't bring himself to turn you away to your doom. He crouched down in front of you, his breath brushing against your cheek as he did so. "Alright, little human," he said softly. "I'll take you to safety." With surprising gentleness, he scooped you up into his massive arms and began to bound through the forest, leaving a trail of shattered branches and disturbed leaves in his wake.

As he ran, he asked curiously, "What is your name?"

The Wendigo carried you deeper into the forest, eventually coming to a clearing by a small stream. He carefully set you down on a bed of soft moss and grass, making sure not to injure you further. "There," he said, watching you for your reaction. "This should be a safe place for you to rest."

Zen nodded gratefully, breathing in deeply as the fresh air filled his lungs. The wound on her leg throbbed dully but didn't seem to hurt as much here, away from the tribe and their relentless pursuit.

The Wendigo regarded Zen with his yellow eyes. "You may call me Mars," he replied, surprising even himself with the name choice. He'd never given himself a name before. But for some reason, hearing it come out of his mouth now felt... right.

He glanced down at her injured leg, noting that the wound wasn't looking any better. "Let me take a look at that," he offered, his voice calm and reassuring.

Carefully, Mars knelt down beside Zen and gently lifted her leg, inspecting the wound. It was deep and angry, and he could see that it had already started to fester. He let out a low growl, disgusted with the sight of it. "I can try to clean this up for you," he said softly.

Using his large claws, Mars carefully scraped away some of the dirt and grime from around the wound, revealing healthy pink flesh beneath. Then, he dipped his fingers into the clear, cold water of the stream and let it run over the wound, cleaning it as best he could. Zen winced in pain but didn't make a sound as he tended to her injury.

Finally, once the wound was as clean as he could get it, Mars took a step back and regarded his work with a satisfied nod. "That should help some," he said gruffly, not really sure how to reassure her further. He glanced up at her face, studying her features for any signs of trust or gratitude... but saw none.

Well, maybe she'd warm up to him eventually. For now, he figured it was best if they both got some rest. With that in mind, Mars turned and loped silently away from the clearing, disappearing into the depths of the forest once more.

The wendigo paused, surprised by her request. He'd never allowed anyone to get this close before... but something about Zen made him want to trust her. Slowly, carefully, he crept back toward the clearing and kneeled beside her once more. His breath was ragged from exertion, and his yellow eyes fixed on hers as they searched for any sign of treachery or fear.

When he saw none, he nodded slightly and lay down next to her, careful not to jostle her injured leg. The soft moss and grass tickled his fur, but he ignored the sensation, focusing instead on Zen's shallow breathing. For now, they would rest together... and hope that tomorrow brought them peace.

The Wendigo let out a soft growl that seemed more curious than threatening as she curled up on his chest. His heartbeat, surprisingly steady and strong beneath her ear, provided a rhythmic counterpoint to the gentle rustle of leaves outside the clearing. He relaxed slightly, feeling an unexpected sense of calm wash over him as he held her close.

Perhaps she would be his friend... or perhaps not. Only time would tell. For now, though, they were safe together in this quiet place beneath the stars. And that was enough.