Green caught the hat. He’d forgotten about it. He put it on and felt instantly warmer and idiotic. Why hadn’t he thought to sleep init?
Dancer grumbled and returned to her investigation. She shouted from the back seat.
“Fella, there’s a new sleeping bag back here. Why is it unopened?”
She reemerged and gave Green a level look. She pulled off her own matching hat and ran a hand through short salt-and-pepper hair.
“I figured you were from a city. Was I wrong to assume it was a city on this planet?”
He raised his palms in surrender.
“Green, I don’t want you to leave. I just met you, but you’re making me feel like it would be a literal crime to let you stay here. One of the real crimes too. Like manslaughter. Look at you. It’s gotta be illegal just talking to somebody who looks like you. I’m an accessory to something right now.”
“I can get the right equipment. I have money. I just need…advice.”
He was floundering.
“Remind me. Did you declare that you were here for camping lessons? Camping 101? No, scratch that, not just camping. Camping in the path of oncoming winter in the Appalachian Mountains. More of a 201 or 301 sorta course, wouldn’t you say?”
Green shook his head.
Dancer frowned.
“You know the term ‘emotional labor,’ Green? You understand that it’s more than a little inconsiderate to go someplace semi-dangerous, requiring specialized knowledge, and just sorta expect that it will all work out. Who exactly do you expect to make it all work out? My mama used to say, ‘Be mindful of the work you leave for others.’ Are you following my train of thought here?”
“I get it. I’m sorry. Just coming here frightened me so much, I guess I was too focused on getting here, you know? That was the big problem to solve. And I really assumed…I don’t know…I could get away with a few simple nights without knowing much.”
Dancer’s expression softened.
“Well, most times you might have been correct. Pal, if you were so afraid, whydidyou come out here?”
“That’s hard to explain. I’m still trying to put that together myself.”
“I guess a morning like this will help you figure it out. One way or another.”
She snorted. Retrieved her tea. Took a sip and drummed a fingernail against the cup.
“Okay. That’s enough scolding the injured, shivering newcomer. Man, but you are a horror. That face should come with a content warning.”
She opened the back door again and pulled out a roll of paper towels.
“Here. Dip a corner in your tea. Do me a kindness and get some of that gore off your face before I’m forever changed.”
He did. Using his cellphone camera as a mirror, he mopped at the blood. The no-service indicator winked at him as he worked. His chin ached and it hurt to touch anywhere near his nose, but the heat felt wholesome.
Dancer appraised his work.
“Still terrible and also much better. You got two black eyes ripening nicely. You’re gonna be a raccoon for a fortnight.”
“Thank you. And sorry again.”
“Well, being the ‘apologizing when wrong’ type might get you some points back on the scoreboard. And I guess I own the place, so maybe I share a bit of the blame. Now. I have had the stoic patience of the patron saint of bedrock, but if you don’t tell me more of that story you doubt I’ll believe, I am going to catch fire.”
Green looked Dancer in the eye, then took stock of what he had to lose by telling the full truth. He decided the answer was very little. So, he told her all of it.
“So?” he asked when he finished. “Do I sound crazy? Glowing deer and monster wolves. Do you know about that wolf thing? Will it come back?”
Dancer pursed her lips.
