Alno

I chased the dog through the village today. The elders yelled at me. We were being too loud. But we were having fun.

As punishment, I had to go out on the hunt again. I went yesterday, but because I got the dog worked up, I had to go.

And that’s fine with me. I’m smaller than the other kids my age but I’m faster. Even than the oldest boy. He hates that I can beat him.

But today that speed didn’t matter. There is nothing to hunt. We haven’t had meat in weeks. The elders call me a reckless girl. They blame me for the animals staying away. As if one morning of playing with the big shaggy dog is the reason there is nothing to hunt.

The elders are stupid. One day, when I am grown, maybe we can have more dogs. We had three not long ago. Now we just have the shaggy one. Maybe we could teach them to hunt.

I do hope we find food soon though. Our crops aren’t enough, and the berries didn’t bloom this year. They say it’s been years since we’ve gone hungry and had to move.

What if we can’t find food? Will the dog die? Will I?