Bearclaw Valley stay close with your wounded eyes

@Cole

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twitch lay on her side, eyes open, staring at nothing. the den was quiet, save for her own slow, steady breathing. exhaustion gnawed at her, but sleep wouldn't come, stuck just out of reach like a name on the tip of her tongue.

her ears twitched at the smallest of sounds—the distant hoot of an owl, the wind pressing against the valley like a restless spirit. twitch exhaled slowly, careful not to make a sound. after what felt like an eternity of staring into the dark, she gave up.

pushing herself upright, she winced at the stiffness in her back but ignored it as she stepped to the mouth of her burrow. the air outside was crisp, biting at her fur, but she welcomed it. at least out here, she could breathe. she tilted her head back, gaze tracing the stars scattered across the sky.