His nickname was 'Tim the timid', but if his name had been Patrick, he'd have been called ' Pat the pathetic'.The bus ride in was not that bad for Tim...who was inured to the taunts and jibes, so his silent and compliant response was taken for granted. As usual, the kids ignored him after awhile. The museum visit was noisy, disorganized but otherwise mostly uneventful until three of the rowdier lads got into a fight in the museum cafeteria. It turned into a food fight and Tim was one of six boys. “Let’s downgrade that from fine to alive...”He felt her arm around his chest, and she buried her face in the nape of his neck, hugging him against her as he winced. They were both nude, she must have ... turned back into a human?“Oh Matt, thank God. I was so afraid, I thought ... I thought that I might have killed you. What happened last night?”“You’re a werewolf,” he announced awkwardly, and she averted her eyes as if he had just accused her of something terrible.“If I had told you, you. "Only four months? That couldn't be right. He had to have been gone at least six or seven, not even counting the time he'd been out of it back in Her stronghold. Well, at least five and a half, considering the shorter days on Gardhe. Could he have been gone for over a year? No, he'd better not ask what year it was. He could figure that out later, pick up a newspaper or something. "Which way is it to town from here?" Down de road a piece." The farmer waved his arm in a broad arc. "Tventy, thirty. .” she trailed off.“No need to explain,” I answered.“So, how did you know the name of the base commander?” I asked.“My best friend lived two doors down--Carol Shadler,” she sighed as she pointed to the picture she’d just put on the table.“I’m sorry,” I answered sympathetically. We sat in silence for a couple minutes. I thought again about my family, wondering how it ended for them and decided I probably didn’t want to know.“What do you plan to do now?” she asked.I shrugged. “The canned food.