The Last Night

As she watched him leave the cave, she sighed. She was tired, sure. But she was also worried. Her uncle was old, she knew that. She was having trouble acknowledging it though. She stared at her little bundle of herbs, frowning as she wondered if any of this was even working for him. Lavender, marigold, horsetail, lambs ear...she had a few other things tucked away, but they were for more severe things, and he didn't need them. She also had some nightshade, but she never told her uncle about it. She didn't think she ever needed it, but she had collected it to test if it had any other uses besides...well, poisoning. She had been careful when she collected it, careful not to ingest anything. She had seen another creature eat it by mistake, and it had died. She would not make that mistake.

As she sat there thinking about the herbs she had and what she might need soon, she heard the soft thud of paw steps outside. Was he uncle back already? She stood, turning to face the caves entrance, but she didn't see anyone there. "Uncle?" She waited, but no response. Maybe it was just her imagination.