Trafika Europe 8 - Romanian Holiday

Almost Everything Very Fast

nodded and even spoke to her like one: “Can you find your way home alone?” In fact, the animal looked quite human, Anni thought, and shook her head, as if in a trance. She concluded he must be a shape-shifter. My sister had always been the more credulous of the two of us. Legend had it that shape-shifters were masters of metamorphosis. They could change their form at will, be it to fish, fir tree, or man. “Have you hurt yourself?” he asked, pointing at her hands. She bit her tongue to stop herself from shaking her head. On every side darkness blocked her way. In her head a chorus of children’s voices shouted

the moor rhyme: Child, dare to walk outside at night, Thinking yourself brave and strong, And our moor will take one bite, Silence, darkness, you’ll be gone. “Do you need a bandage?” The shape-shifter came closer. “Forgive me— I’m pestering you with questions.” His bright voice sounded friendly, respectful, and he articulated every word with the utmost precision, which meant that he certainly wasn’t from around there. “Probably best that you head for home.” His posture was a trifle stooped, as if a bow were in the offing; had she met him under

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