All at once, my tail was stuck like glue to my stomach, clenched tightly as my hindquarters curled under me in fear. Though I had not noticed the quaking of the earth beneath my paws as I watched the cubs play, attributing it to their boisterous movements, the deafening roar that accompanied the shadow that fell over me could not be denied. I spun, trying to make myself smaller, blue eyes flashing back and forth in search of some kind of cover. But there was no time. A massive, clawed paw swung at me with vicious ferocity, and I was frozen with fear. The first strike caught me in the shoulder, uprooting me and sending me sprawling into a heap on the ground. I cried out in pain and terror, trying to scramble through the dirt and dead leaves from the previous autumn to get away. But then she was on me again, claws raking through flesh as a wolfish scream escaped my maw. Another blow silenced my cry, catching me in the neck and rendering me noiseless. I was a helpless heap, my tail still tucked firmly against my stomach. Perhaps it was my silence, or the blood that soaked the white of my chest, but the bear finally relented.

My whole was body trembling as I watched with wide eyes. She rushed towards the cubs, then looked back at me once she knew they were safe. I could not close my eyes, could not look away. I could only watch, in shock, not entirely sure what had just happened. The final roar she expelled in my direction brought a deathly chill over me - or maybe that was caused by something else. I wasn't sure. What was happening? I lay like that, staring at the spot where the mother bear and her cubs had stood, unblinking, long after they were gone. My body shook all over, tiny spasms that I could not control. Finally, my wide eyes looked up at the trees. Where was I? Had I made it home? I tried to lift my head to look for Mom or Dad. They weren't there. And it hurt. Everything hurt. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't feel anything. I was cold. The sun was starting to set. Maybe Astraea would come by soon, this would be a good place to look upon the stars.

I realized I was short of breath. What was happening? My head was starting to feel heavy, but I kept it aloft for a moment longer, long enough to glance back over myself. I was covered in dirt and leaves and blood. Blood. So much blood. It was everywhere. Where was it coming from? I began to panic, the swinging club of a bear's fist flashing in my mind. The bear, the bear - where was the bear? My head dropped back to the earth and I looked to where I had seen them last. They were gone. And I was alone. Oh gods, I was alone. Blue eyes rolled, looking at the blood again, truly seeing the deep gashes for the first time - the biggest over my side, stretching diagonally from my shoulder to my flank. Another over my hindquarter. I couldn't tip my chin down enough to see the damage done to my neck and throat. Unbidden, my tongue washed over my lips and I could taste the iron tinge of blood. But I couldn't feel any cuts on my lips. Was it coming from inside?

No, no, no, no. I was so close to home. I was going to find a way to be closer with Astraea. I wanted to see my valiant brothers. I wanted to cuddle close to my parents in the warmth of the den I'd been born in. I tried to call out for them, but all that came to my lips were bubbles of blood.