The howl didn't come again.
John remained outside the ranger station for another minute, staring into the dark forest.
Nothing moved.
No glowing eyes.
No rustling bushes.
Not even the sound of birds.
Lythriel eventually stepped beside him.
"Still nothing?"
"No."
She looked into the trees.
"Maybe whatever made that sound moved away."
"Maybe."
John wasn't convinced.
He had learned not to trust a quiet forest.
Still, there was no point standing outside all night waiting for something to happen.
He turned around.
"Let's get inside."
---
The ranger station was older than John expected.
The wooden walls were worn, but surprisingly sturdy. Dust covered nearly everything inside.
There was a fireplace in the center.
A long table.
Several old shelves.
A sleeping area with enough space for a small group.
Darius immediately began examining the room.
"This place hasn't been abandoned as long as I thought."
John looked around.
"How can you tell?"
"There are footprints."
