shattered to pieces

Zoey sniffed as the kind lady offered her sympathies, still grateful for the words even from a complete stranger. Her shoulders shook, her breaths still shuddering as she tried to catch her breath. She’d be bound to have a panic attack if she didn’t keep breathing. Sucking in some air into her nostrils - in and out, in and out - she once again calmed herself to some degree. But the hurt remained. The loneliness, the abandonment. The broken ties and lost family. Broken promises. Her head lowered a bit - perhaps the russet girl felt a bit ashamed that a kind wolf had stepped out of her way because of her obnoxious crying.

It was then the smaller woman had mentioned she traveled up to Boreas, to teach at Abaven. But upon news of its disbanding, she had found a different pack. Menagerie. Zoey racked her brains at the familiarity of the term - didn’t it mean some mix of creatures? A safe haven, in some way? Still, even as the lady - Audra, she introduced herself as - mentioned the yearling could join her, she couldn’t help but crease her brow. Worry. She’d never felt so worried; as a pup, even when orphaned and alone, she had nothing but courage and excitement to spur her adventures. Not once did the fear of being alone, with no home or family to speak of, crossed her mind. But now, after experiencing the loss of her parents, and the disbandonment of a pack she thought she’d be able to spend her life in - a home at last - she didn’t know if she could trust that the lady beside her would stick around. After all, what if this pack broke up, too?

Still, she offered. And Zoey was not in the right place or mind to wander alone. Even as a capable young woman. She didn’t have the heart to refuse Audra’s offer, even if the fear of Abaven’s fall still was fresh in her memories. And the memories of her parents was only further amplified as a result - striking her in the most horrific nightmares every night. She opted not to mention the bad dreams, though. It wasn’t the time and she didn’t feel like opening up all over again. Not yet.

With a quiet pause, only interrupted by an occasional oozing sniff, the puffy-eyed girl turned to Audra and said quietly, "You know what? That might be nice. If that’s okay with you and the pack, of course.." She frowned, her eyes downcast, staring down at her white toes. "I just don’t want to be a..burden or anything."

Speech