Bearclaw Valley we rush the west in silence

He understood, and a curious delight filled her, warm against the pelt of the rain, and intoxicating. When he brushed beside her she turned in unison, and together, they ran.

By the time the man spied lasting shelter, the mud and rain had painted them nearly identical. Nanook felt caked and chilled from their scurry through the rising storm, and she made a sharp beeline after her companion, sprinting fast on his heels until she overtook him. Without hesitance, she pressed toward a denser portion of the trees, where the boughs grew thick and draped a shelter over the soft ground below, and shimmied herself to present enough room for the man to join her. The stay would be tight, but after their twisting dance, she felt no fear of him, and longed to lend him company and warmth. She made this clear in every move of her thin and ragged body. Though he had thus far proven himself adamant, Nanook worried he might leave her now, and she chuffed again to gather assurance he would stay.