Chapter 31

He turned onto the driveway leading to his cabin, whistling as he walked, and enjoyed the sound of the snow squeaking against his shoes. He looked forward to getting back and warming up the homemade chicken soup Emma had given him. It would taste amazing after the walk back from their house

A hooting from somewhere halted his steps. He looked around to try and catch a glimpse of whoever had greeted him, but he couldn’t see anything. A second hooting made it easier to localize the sound, and he studied the trees to his right. A rustling branch betrayed its location, and Elliot drew in a quick breath when he finally caught sight of the owl.

It was almost completely white, its feathers sprinkled with tiny black spots. The black beak was mostly hidden behind the downy feathers on its face. It hooted again, sounding almost like it was hoarse.