Ryan hesitated at the edge of the clearing. Every muscle in his body screamed to stay back, yet curiosity pulled him forward. The bear’s movements were careful, almost gentle. It lowered its head and set the object on the ground, then stood there, motionless, breathing hard. Ryan squinted through the fog. The shape wasn’t an animal. It looked like fabric—an old, torn jacket wrapped around something small. The bear didn’t act threatening. It simply stared at him, as if waiting for him to understand.
Ryan’s fear began to fade into wonder. Why was the bear showing him this? He took a cautious step forward, then another. The mist drifted around them like smoke. The bear didn’t move. Their eyes met for one long, still moment before it finally turned and lumbered back into the forest. The sound of branches brushing against its fur faded until the woods were silent again. Ryan looked down at the bundle lying in the grass, his hands shaking.
He knelt beside it, heart pounding, and reached out. The fabric was soaked and cold. Something inside twitched weakly. Ryan’s pulse spiked. He pulled the bundle closer and slowly unwrapped it.