He crouched, fumbling with the lock, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cold. Each subtle click felt deafening. Then, at last, it yielded. Nolan eased the door open, hoping it wouldn’t squeal. But the cub, sensing freedom, burst out with reckless energy, toppling the door in a metallic crash.
The clang tore through the frigid stillness. Shouts erupted, flashlights sliced the darkness, and footsteps crunched rapidly toward Nolan’s position. He cursed under his breath, bracing for the worst. Then a thunderous roar echoed across the camp, the mother bear announcing her wrath.