I Need a Hero

Maddie stood by the lake nearest the forest. She held a long stick in her hand, which she would throw and watch as Bandit retrieved it. She normally would have thrown the stick in the water, but the time of year prevented such a thing, so instead she aimed her throws for the forest.
Bandit was beginning to get ornery and would stand by wagging his tail as she called for him to bring the stick back. A few more throws and he could come close to her with the stick, but always lurch to the side when she went to take it.

"Knock it off," Maddie told him. "I'm not gonna throw it anymore if you won't let me take it."

At the frustration in her tone, Bandit wagged his tail, and his eyes seemed to smile at her. She assumed that meant he would let her take the stick back, but when she reached for it, he jumped to the side and began to run. Maddie was quick to chase the dog around, hollering for him to stop.

She was much slower than him in this form; It would have been smarter for her to shift, but she had been trying to do less of that lately.

Maddie doubled over, hands on her knees and breathing heavily as Bandit raced off into the woods.

"Bandit!" she called in pure horror. He was a smart and strong dog, but he was still only a dog, and there were many mythical creatures she could imagine would like to eat or kill a dog. Panicked, but out of breath, Maddie frantically called for him a few more times.

Maddie turned her wide-eyed stare to the man. She was breathing heavily from her screaming and running. She pointed mutely to the woods.

"I —" her voice broke, and she cleared her throat before trying again. "No. It was my dog, Bandit. He ... ran off into the woods and — he's just a dog! What if something —" she cut herself off.

Maddie squeezed her eyes shut and tried to calm herself. "Nothing here eats dogs, right? Please tell me nothing around here likes to eat dogs." She repeated this and wrung her hands.

Maddie was able to calm herself down enough to point ahead of her into the woods. She began walking in the direction her dog ran off in.

"Yeah, you're right," Maddie said with a deep breath. "Okay... Okay..."

She cupped her hands over her mouth and called out Bandit's name as she stepped forward.

There was no sound from the forest, not even a lone bark. The longer the silence stretched on, the more Maddie looked like she might cry.

Maddie found herself following after the man. She had to help because sitting back and waiting hopelessly would drive her mad.

After a few moments, Maddie shifted forms to her coyote self as she tested the scent of the air to stay on Bandit's trail.

Deeper into the forest, and already past the cemetery, Bandit roamed happily. He had since dropped the stick and was pushing his nose into anything he could. There were many strange smells here, and they intrigued him.

The forest was much darker here, with gnarled trees and odd sounds. Something snapped to his right. Bandit's head shot up, and he stared at a darkened thicket, head low and eyes focused.

((Sorry for the late reply. :) ))

Maddie moved gracefully in this form and with a hop to her step. Soon, she found Bandit's trail and followed it without caution.

She didn't know what was in these woods, but she had to imagine whatever was, would be stronger than a dog, stronger that any animal. She felt at a severe disadvantage.

Soon, a dogs growling and barking could be heard not far ahead. Bandit yelped, and something larger gave an inhuman howl. Maddie growled and ran forward, her protective instinct kicking in.

Just ahead, Bandit was standing low on the ground; his teeth bared in warning. The creature across from him was wolf-like in appearance, but its shoulders were too broad and it's front legs were bulky, it's waist and back legs tapered off, and its tail was nothing but a stub.