Nearby, a bear lay weakened, surrounded by the tools of its captors. This grim discovery underscored the cruelty Hazel had feared, marking a turning point in her journey. Hazel finally understood the adult bear’s actions as she saw the cub’s plight.
Every choice the bear made, from leading her away from camp to guiding her through the forest, was to save its cub from danger. In its eyes, she saw raw emotion—fear, desperation, and hope. Hazel stood on the edge of the forest, her heart pounding in the oppressive stillness.