[Gift] FOTN 2023 - #05 Polar Bear

Charlie carefully led her little companion through the snow. It was heavy and had piled up high with the snow still falling. They would have to find shelter soon to rest before the snow got too bad. While she trudged through the snow with ease, her little companion was having more difficulty. They were smaller than her, only up to her shoulder and was struggling with wading through it. Desperately, either to comfort themselves or to ensure they would not be lost, maybe both, they used their long trunk to hold onto her tufted tail. She did not mind, it let her know the little one was following her safely.

With her in front, she easily pushed the snow aside and gave a walking path for the little one. It still would be slow and a long way to shelter. Hopefully they will have luck on their side and find one soon. She did not know how much more the little one could take with walking. Their walks would get slower at times before they quickened their pace when their trunk started to tug on their tail. 

It seemed she was correct with the little one getting tired as she felt incessant tugging on her tail. She hummed and turned as best as she could in the snow. The little one had stopped completely and seemed to be frozen in their spot. They seemed to be torn on whether to drop her tail or hold on but they made a huffing noise. 

Something was not right.

As Charlie turned her head towards where the little one was watching, she finally saw what terrified the poor thing. It was hard with the snow fluttering around them but she could see it. A slow, lumbering creature that blended in perfectly with the snow. Larger than the little one but smaller than her. It likely thought they were easy prey. Wait for them to get tired and have an easy snack. Its black beady eyes were hyper focused on them. 

That would not stand. 

Raising her head up, showing off her large tusks, she let out a loud roar, trumpeting it from her trunk. The little one seemed to get the hint to drop her tail as she started to charge towards the beast. Snow kicked up around her as she charged, lowering her head, ready to spear the annoying pest. The creature jumped away and quickly bounded away at the sight of her charge. Still, she let out another roar, and chased for a bit before she paused so she would not lose the sight of her young one. The creature was gone at least.