Mudminnow River it will break my heart to go against your wishes [m]

For what felt like hours, Aves didn't say or do anything. Arielle didn't even feel him react to her embrace, which only made dread pool in her stomach. She didn't know what he would do. Both of his parents were gone now, and she knew nothing she could say or do could fix that. She would have to watch him suffer and not be able to help. 

He finally moved, and the bruin-heart watched with concern as he made his way to the carcass of the woman. She stayed where she was as his anger finally showed. He picked up and tore the body to pieces. The sounds of his movement in the water was the only thing she heard. Time seemed to have slowed down, and she watched everything with acceptance. Aves needed this, and she had no intention of taking it away from him. 

She would wait for him to be done, and then she would suggest they bring Merrick back to the valley. We should bury him there. Maybe it was more fitting to give him as an offering to the bear, but she just couldn't do it. The bear had enough of him already.