Stone Circle Well, I've been afraid of changing

Taktuq was a different child. Nanook's unexpected departure had troubled her deeply, leaving only a shell of the enthusiastic, curious, and lively girl that she had once been. Taktuq had no desire to explore, and instead, choose to stick close to Valette and her brothers; safety was all that she craved. 

Siarut entered the den when Taktuq was watching, and slowly she lifted her head from her outstretched arms. Like Valette, Siarut was a figure that elicited a sense of security—she felt safe when he was around. Her tail lazily swept against the nest's bedding as he approached. When Siarut spoke, Taktuq didn't understand at first, but his nudging translated: he wanted them to follow. The children reacted differently—their emotions ranging from concern to compliance. Taktuq chose to follow without much thought, as felt safe with Siarut. As they moved, she decided to position herself as close to his legs as she could physically manage. 

When they made it outside, Taktuq hesitated for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight. It had been a few days since she had been out of the den, and the brightness affected her. When Taktuq's vision returned to normal, she realized that they were not alone. Glancing cautiously at the strangers with large, doe-like eyes, Taktuq gravitated towards the front leg that Kallik had chosen.