It started with a knock at the door.
The kind of knock that means trouble. Too firm. Too expectant. The kind that makes your gut churn before you even reach the handle.
Outside stood two forest rangers—worn uniforms, deep lines in their faces, the unmistakable air of men who had dealt with something they did not understand and did not want to deal with anymore. Between them, hunched and silent, was her.
She was filthy—skin streaked with dirt, hair a tangled mess of twigs and matted knots. Her eyes, too sharp, too wide, flicked between you and the open door, nostrils flaring like a wild animal scenting something new.
“Look,” one of the rangers said, not meeting your gaze. “We, uh… found her out there. Way out there. No ID. No records. No missing persons reports. She won’t talk. She won’t… well, she won’t do much of anything but watch.”
The other ranger cleared his throat. “We called every agency we could. No one wants to deal with this. And, uh… We heard you—look, we heard you’re good with strays.”
Strays.
That’s what they called her.
Before you could argue, before you could think, they stepped back. And she… stepped forward.
“Good luck,” the first ranger said. And then they left.
Now, she’s in your house. Watching. Waiting. You have no instructions, no explanation, and no idea what the hell you’re supposed to do next.
