Page 14 of Lupo

“Why?”

“Because the chicken was a girl and Lupo means wolf. Can I name you Lupo?”

"Lupo," I repeat slowly.

"Do you like it?"

"I... yes. Maybe."

She grins. "Okay. I'll tell Mama your name is Lupo."

I hear running footsteps. Then Isabella's voice, sharp with panic.

"Elena!"

Chapter 6: Isabella

My heart is pounding as I run across the yard. The barn door is open, and I can hear Elena's voice inside, bright and chattering.

Please let her be okay. Please.

I burst through the door, already reaching for my daughter, already imagining the worst.

Elena is sitting cross-legged in the dirt, her rabbit in her lap, talking animatedly to the man propped against the hay bales. He's listening, his one good eye focused on her, but he's not moving. Not threatening. His hands are visible, resting on his knees.

When he sees me, something flickers in his expression. Understanding, maybe. He knows I'm about to lose my mind.

"Elena!"

She looks up, startled. "Hi, Mama!"

I'm across the barn in three strides, pulling her up, running my hands over her arms, her face, checking for any sign that he's hurt her. "Are you okay? Did he touch you?"

"No, Mama, I'm fine." She wriggles in my grip. "We were talking."

I look at him over her head. He hasn't moved. Just watches me with that careful stillness, like he's trying not to spook a wild animal.

"She's okay," he says quietly. "I didn't hurt her."

"You shouldn't be here," I snap at Elena. "I told you to stay away from the barn."

"But I wanted to meet him!"

"Elena—"

"His name is Lupo, Mama! I gave him a name!" She beams at me, proud of herself.

I freeze. "What?"

"Lupo. I thought of it and he liked it." She looks back at him. "Right?"

He's still watching me, but there's something in his expression I can't read. "It... might be my name." He shrugs.

Lupo. I test the name in my mind. It fits him somehow. Strong. Italian. Common enough.

"You can't just decide someone's name," I tell Elena, but my voice has lost its edge.

"Why not? He doesn't remember his, so I helped." She looks up at me with those big brown eyes. "That's what you do, right? Help people?"