^Hello.^ A yip, but the word was unmistakably clear.

  This alley was a bit of a wind tunnel. In the summer it was quite cool when gusts funneled through. In the fall, it was noticeably chill. Ever’s teeth were doing something bizarre, chattering on their own. What was happening to him?

  He crept deeper in, trying to look behind the trash bag split open on the ground. A pair of dark eyes looked up at him. The dog shrunk back, its brown coat unable to blend against the black trash bag. It bared its teeth in a warning snarl.

  ^Don’t come any closer, or I’ll eat you.^ This came out as three barks, as aggressive as this long dog could manage.

  Ever stood up straight, hugging himself, shivering. I can understand what the dog’s saying. The memory of Clementine’s white, speckled pigeon fluttered back to him. I can understand what animals are saying!

  He licked his lips. “I stopped the hot dog seller from kicking you,” Ever said slowly. He slowly crouched down, trying not to touch the grimy floor. Wincing, he lifted his shirt, showing the ugly bruise on his side.

  The dog looked around, distracted, before realizing that Ever was talking to him. She crept forward tentatively, keeping her eyes trained on Ever. She led with her nose, sniffing Ever’s shoes, before raising her snout and sniffing his exposed skin. Ever noticed that the dog’s tail that had been tense and straight was now wagging slightly.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  ^You were there before.^ A whine, a slight growl, but not aggressive.

  “Yeah, I was.” Ever groaned. He couldn’t do it, he had to sit down. He pivoted around while squatting, sitting on a spot that looked the least damp. The dog hovered around Ever, watching him, eventually sitting too. Her tubular body made it look more like she was standing on her hind legs.

  ^You allowed me to escape.^ A single bark, warm. Tongue out, panting. ^Thank you.^

  “That’s OK.” Ever clenched his disobedient teeth and the chattering transferred into his body.

  ^Lift up your fur.^

  “What?”

  The dog gently bumped Ever’s side. ^This.^

  “Oh.” Ever lifted his shirt, exposing the injury.

  The dog stood up on her two hind legs, laying her front paws on Ever’s side. She licked the blooming bruise a few times. After a half a minute or so she was satisfied, dropping back onto all fours.

  “I have to go.”

  ^Where?^ The dog cocked her head.

  “Home.” Not really home, but barely a house. He stood up. Was it OK to transform in front of a dog? She wasn’t going to tell anyone about him, was she? Realizing what he was thinking, Ever turned on the spot.

  ^Whoa!^ The dog barked, tail wagging. Excited, not scared. Ever floated around, inspecting his side. Interestingly, the bruise was visible in ghost form but of course, the pain was dialed down to virtually zero, as was all sensation.

  He wasn’t sure if the dog could hear him, nor was he sure if he would see her again. Still, he felt compelled to say something as he floated up and away.

  “Look after yourself!”