Morning arrived with a pale light, the storm outside finally receding.
The world was blanketed in silence, the snow absorbing every sound.
The wolves were still there, their presence a quiet comfort against the starkness of the day.
Today was the day of my performance review, the meeting that felt less like an evaluation and more like a verdict.
I tried to prepare, but the words wouldn’t come, the arguments I’d rehearsed slipping away like water through my fingers.
The wolves watched me, their silent companionship a balm against the growing anxiety.
As I dressed and gathered my things, the one who had hesitated at the door approached me.
She didn’t speak, but her eyes held a depth of understanding that took me by surprise.
For a moment, we stood there, the silence between us more eloquent than any words.
I realized then that whatever the outcome of the day, I wasn’t as alone as I’d believed.
With a nod, she turned away, joining the others as they prepared to leave.
The door opened, a rush of cold air filling the room.
I watched as they stepped out, their figures disappearing into the white landscape.
As the door closed behind them, I felt a strange mixture of loss and hope.
Today would be a turning point, one way or another.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt ready to face it.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered.
