Evelyn followed its gaze. She stepped forward, cautiously scanning the ground. At first, she saw nothing—just thick brush and knotted roots. But then, caught in a branch just ahead, was a torn piece of fabric. Faded blue, like denim. Just beyond it, a shoe—mud-caked and oddly positioned, as though discarded or lost in a hurry.
Evelyn stepped forward, crouching beside it. The bears remained still behind her, not interfering but watching closely.
It was unmistakably a man’s shoe. Sturdy, outdoorsy. Next to it, partially buried under pine needles, was a crumpled energy bar wrapper. The forest had begun reclaiming it, but it hadn’t been here long. Someone had been through here. Recently.
Evelyn rose slowly, eyes darting to the bears. “Is this what you wanted me to find?” The smaller bear gave a soft grunt. They moved again. She followed. Soon the forest began to change once more—subtly but unmistakably. The trees grew thinner, and the air turned colder. The silence deepened.