Bearclaw Valley A Feast for All!

A voice pushed through the darkness, neither mama's nor papa's, and Nanook pried her crusted lids apart. Adlartok. She scare knew the man, but his presence drew a hiccough, and after a moment she moved to lift her head. But another voice came, mama's this time, and all thoughts of revealing herself snapped from her mind. Another burst of heat spread through her chest when papa joined her, and the emotions she'd just cried away surged back. Nanook tucked her head against the deepest part of her hiding place, where she was sure no one could see her.

The rough wall scraped against her cheek, her body, and Nanook wondered if maybe the rock could absorb her. If she stayed still long enough, maybe she could disappear, and mama and papa wouldn't find her. Couldn't they see she didn't want to be found? She didn't want their hugs and kisses, as much as she had yearned to stay in papa's embrace forever just minutes ago. She just wanted them to leave her alone. She turned back to the darkness and squeezed her eyes shut. The world wouldn't see her until she was ready for it to see her again.