In that instant, something shifted. Despite the bone-deep fear still gnawing at Nolan, another emotion crept in: a cautious empathy. The bear’s eyes darted around, then fixed on him again. It huffed, its gaze flitting to his pack, as though hoping for another morsel.
Nolan reached for more dried fish, heart hammering so loudly he thought it would give him away. The bear sniffed the air, lips curling but not in a snarl—more like anticipation. Each second stretched taut as a wire, his rational mind screaming that this was madness.