Arrow Lake every breath of borrowed time is heavy in my chest.

That works!

The boy raced after the shape of something small and easily missed. The closer he got the more he snarled and snapped, until the shape turned upon him in a defensive arc. The flash of stout legs and a long, thin body would tell the watchful adult what was happening: Mesa had come across an otter of all things, and in its mouth was a half-eaten chunk of fish likely dragged from a cache. It shrieked as it spat the prize away and launched for Mesa's face, but was met by his small teeth bared in protest.