Into the Woods

Hana and Steve moved quickly after the bear, slipping through hospital gates and into the thick woods beyond the property. Rain soaked through Hana’s scrubs, and Steve’s flashlight flickered against tree trunks and bramble. The bear paused often, waiting just long enough to make sure they were close.

“This isn’t random,” Steve whispered. “She knows where she’s going.” Hana nodded, adrenaline replacing exhaustion. Every instinct told her this wasn’t just about one injured pup. The forest around them buzzed with tension; the deeper they went, the stranger it felt. The bear’s pace quickened. Hana gripped Steve’s arm. “We’re getting close.”