Blackfoot Forest every year is getting shorter

@Fire, @Kalganov; other tags for reference

They traveled for what could have been mere hours or days--Maegi lost track in her haste to escape. Even the burning in her pads took a backseat to the primal fear that sat in her stomach. She poked her head out at the surface near Otter Creek, but decided to forge on; the creek was still too close for comfort. No, they continued, and Maegi wasn't quite sure where they would end up when they reached the next exit.

There was a tremendous amount of guilt in leaving her pack behind, but she would be back. This move was all about @Mou, and keeping him safe. She was willing to sacrifice it all if he came out unscathed in the process. The Blackfeathers would be fine. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

She was the first to emerge in a quiet, dim-lit forest, the sounds of unfamiliar birds--she felt a deep pang, thinking of Blue--and rustling wind all around. Maegi resisted the urge to flop over onto her side, turning and waiting for the others to pull themselves from the tunnel. She swallowed, trying to keep the fear from her face. It had been a hell of a time, these past few hours (days?), and she was at once overwhelmed and exhausted.