Whitebark Stream 'Cause I told you my level of concern

hearing kavik's jaws snap directly behind him, alsek shrieked and tucked his tail. he trusted that nothing bad would happen if he kept running, but this time, he added some more speed. the child was obviously smaller than his father; he could fit through tight spaces, like the hollow base of a towering tree.

confident that he couldn't be reached (but still very much reachable), alsek investigated the new hiding place he'd found. his rubbery nose felt against the moist bark, took in the earthy musk; what was this place?