Redhawk Caldera I AM SAM. I AM SAM. SAM I AM.

tawny lark toddled forward on legs that didn’t quite know how to leg yet —
all wobbles and wide paws and a tail that wagged her more than she wagged it.

the world beyond the denmouth shimmered like a dream.
light spilled in, warm and golden, dust motes floating like tiny stars she could almost catch.
she squeaked at them, jaws snapping on empty air.

one step… two… oops — her rump plopped down, but she popped right back up,
undaunted, a fearless explorer of ten whole feet of earth.

outside smelled different. bigger. brighter.
her nose quivered, gathering every scent it could hold —
rain-soaked leaves, morning frost, the distant musk of someone she didn’t know.

with a triumphant chirp, tawny lark marched into her new kingdom,
paws sinking in soft dirt, ears pricked too big for her head,
ready to discover every leaf, pebble, and mysterious shadow
that dared to exist outside her den.

the world was huge.
and she was very brave.