He lifted his sack full of jars high over his head and swung them around and around. The burning in Aliah's chest increased and robbed him of breath. He gripped the corner of the nearby table and watched as Ellersly launched the sack into the air toward the wolf. The bag exploded against the wall in a fusion of bright colors that leaked through the burlap. Pickled beets, carrots and mixed berry smells permeated the air.
The wolf disappeared.
Bands of pressure squeezed Aliah's head and he gripped the table harder. Ellersly approached breathing heavily. "It's gone. You should go... find Shai. Make sure... she's alright." Aliah turned to look at his young friend and raised one eyebrow.
Dimples formed in the boy's round face as he smiled. "I know enough about your... strange connection with Shai... to realize the pain you're in... is more than because of Sileas's death." The Adam's apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed.
