Between crates and the edge of a tent, he caught sight of the caged cub. His heart clenched at the sight of its tiny form, shivering against iron bars. He told himself to stay focused, to ignore the numbing fear and trust his instincts to remain unseen.
Step by painstaking step, he slipped closer. The cub let out a pitiful whine, stirring him to move faster. Keeping low, he circled behind a half-toppled crate, checked that no one was watching, then darted forward. The metal cage loomed before him, every breath burning in his chest.