Bearclaw Valley Remember where you came from

Laurel's paws carried her through the plains and meadows that divided Easthollow from Bearclaw valley. Memories engulfed her as she walked this familiar path and thought of Lucas. Where had her baby gone? She had her newest children now but she needed him as big brother. Laurel couldn't stop herself from looking. She followed the path she had often taken except now it was the other way around; into Bearclaw valley rather than out of it.

She hadn't seen Lucas in a few days and was worried, since he had only just returned home. She wasn't quite ready to lose him again already. Laurel's ears perked as she saw him laying not far off. Lucas? she called out, her voice wavering. Was he sleeping? Had he come here for nostalgia's sake? Why were there birds sitting on him? The mother approached the body but the closer she got, the clearer it was that he wasn't there. The birds flew up with chunks of meat between their beaks and pieces of him were missing from scavengers. As she reached him she saw the dead expression on his face and the missing pieces of Lucas. My baby... she whimpered, then she collapsed by his side and pressed her nose against his cold, dead nose.