Lord… could it really be…? — he whispered, folding his hands in prayer.

At that moment, a branch snapped. Then another. Rustling sounds were approaching. The old man tried to get up, but his body would not obey. His eyes searched the darkness until a wolf suddenly appeared from the bushes.

The animal stepped slowly onto the path. Its fur glimmered in the moonlight, its eyes shone. The wolf bared its teeth and moved closer.

“This is it,” thought the old man.