Coyote Call: Spec-fic

Somewhere out across the flat silver plain of the desert, a coyote yipped at the moon. She shivered. She was happy to hear another creature that was alive out here, but there were no answering yips. The coyote was as alone as she was. The coyotes had not been spared the killings that had swept through the town--and, for all she knew, the entire world. On impulse, she tilted her head back and joined the chorus of yips. It made her feel good. It was as close as she'd come to interacting with another human being in the last week. The coyote yipped an excited answer. She heard the sound growing louder, coming closer. She heard the scuff of claws on the dirt.

Inspiration: "Rainbow's End" by Martha Grimes--part of it takes place in Santa Fe. Also, a discussion about enjoying post-apocalyptica.
Story Potential: High.
Notes: Coyote trickster god? What sort of calamity? Nothing too cliched...but it must be blood-chilling. Strange bond? Possibilities unfold.