MCU : Child Of Winter

My heart pounded fiercely in my chest as the bear's roar thundered through the forest, shaking the very air around me. One thought consumed my mind — RUN.

Without hesitation, I spun around and sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't head toward the village; the distance was too great, and I knew the bear's strength and speed would catch me long before I reached safety. Instead, I dashed toward the river, following the steep, narrow path that wound down to the water — the very place where I had often played with Elias and Thom.

The bear's heavy footsteps thundered behind me, relentless. I weaved through the dense thicket of slender trees, their trunks close enough to block the bear's massive frame but just right for my smaller body to slip through. My breath came in ragged gasps, the cold air burning my lungs, but I dared not slow. The riverbank cliff loomed ahead, sharp and jagged.

Every moment brought me closer to the edge.

My heart pounded fiercely, echoing in my ears louder than the grizzly's roar that shattered the forest's silence. The beast's voice was thunder, raw and furious, driving a single thought into my mind: RUN.

Without a second's hesitation, I spun on my heel and dashed away, legs pumping harder than ever before. I didn't head toward the village—too far, and the bear's strength and size meant it would catch me well before I reached safety. Instead, I veered toward the river, following the steep, narrow path carved into the hillside—a path I knew well from days spent playing with Elias and Thom.

The forest blurred around me as I weaved between slender trees. Their trunks were spaced just tightly enough to block the bear's massive bulk, but I slipped through like water. My breath burned in my chest; each gasp stung my lungs like fire. Behind me, the earth shook with the pounding of the bear's heavy steps, relentless and terrifying.

Branches whipped at my face and arms, tearing at my clothes, but I barely noticed. My eyes stayed fixed ahead—on the jagged cliff edge where the river carved its winding course through the valley below.

Closer and closer I ran, feet pounding the rocky earth, muscles screaming for release. The bear's roar echoed, a furious sound that filled the woods and drowned out all else.

I could feel its hot breath in my back, the crushing weight of its presence pressing down like the sky itself was collapsing.

The river's edge came into view, steep and dangerous, the sheer drop falling away into icy waters far below. There was no time to hesitate.

I pushed harder, heart a drumbeat in my chest, lungs burning.

The bear's snarls grew louder.

I was nearly there.

The cliff's edge came into view—not towering, but steep enough to send a shiver down my spine. The ground dropped sharply just a few feet below, the river's cool water rushing over smooth stones. I could see the wet rocks glisten, close enough that a fall here would leave me bruised and broken, but not fatal.

My legs trembled, but I forced myself forward. The bear was closing fast behind me, its heavy breath ragged and wild. The massive creature's jaws opened wide with a fierce roar, claws extended like knives, reaching for me.

I twisted my body just in time, narrowly avoiding its swipe. The ground shook as the bear stumbled and lost its footing. It pitched forward over the edge, crashing down the short slope toward the riverbank.

A sharp claw snagged the leg of my trousers, tugging hard and nearly pulling me off balance. My heart raced as I lunged, fingers grasping blindly for a nearby low-hanging branch.

My fingers closed around the rough bark just in time. I hung there, swaying over the shallow drop, the bear's weight still pulling at my leg.

The grizzly tumbled down, crashing through bushes and scraping against stones. Its furious roars echoed around me, but for now, I was safe—dangling between solid earth and the rushing river below.

I pulled myself back up, muscles trembling, breath coming hard and fast. The bear was gone from sight, lost somewhere in the tangle of trees.

For a moment, the forest was still.

I stood shakily on the narrow path, heart pounding, knowing this close call was only the beginning of something darker lurking in the woods.

My hands trembled as I pulled myself fully upright, gripping the rough bark of the tree branch a moment longer before letting go. The forest around me seemed to hold its breath, as if sensing the danger had momentarily passed. Yet, inside me, a storm raged—heart still hammering, lungs burning, mind racing.

The grizzly's roar faded into distant echoes, swallowed by the thick trees. But I knew better than to believe it was gone. It was close, watching. Waiting.

I forced myself to take steady breaths, filling my lungs with the cold, pine-scented air. Slowly, I scanned the forest floor, looking for any sign of movement. My bow hung heavy on my back, my fingers itching to grip it again.

I took a cautious step forward, then another, testing the ground beneath my boots. The path back was narrow and winding, littered with fallen branches and damp leaves. Every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves made me freeze.

My mind flickered back to Father's lessons: "A hunter's strength isn't just in his aim, but in knowing when to be still." I swallowed my fear and slowed my pace.

The forest darkened as the canopy thickened. Shafts of sunlight pierced through, casting long shadows that danced on the mossy ground. I kept my eyes sharp, ears open for the faintest sound.

Hours seemed to pass as I moved cautiously, retracing my steps toward the village. The river's gentle murmur guided me, promising safety beyond the trees. But with every step, the memory of those massive claws scraping the earth haunted me.

By the time I glimpsed the first rooftops of Marlow, the sun had dipped low. I was bruised, exhausted, but alive.

Tonight, I would sleep knowing the forest held secrets darker than I had ever imagined.

The village was quiet when I stepped through the wooden gate, shadows stretching long over the cobblestones. My breath was ragged, and every muscle ached from the chase. The familiar scent of smoke and woodsmoke was a balm to my frayed nerves.

I made my way home, my footsteps slow and deliberate. Inside, Mother was by the hearth, her hands folded, worry etched into her face the moment she saw me.

"Jack!" she exclaimed, rushing over. "What happened? You're covered in scratches."

Father appeared behind her, setting down his hunting knife. His eyes narrowed as he took in my disheveled state.

"I was chased by a bear," I said, voice low but steady. "It caught one of my traps… I barely escaped."

Mother's hands trembled as she reached for a cloth. "You should never have gone alone."

Father's gaze hardened. "The forest is changing, boy. We need to be ready for what's coming."

I nodded, swallowing the fear that still clung to my chest.

That night, as the fire flickered low, I lay awake, the bear's roar echoing in my mind. I was lucky to escape.