She considered turning back. But which way was back? She’d followed the bobcat through twists and turns, over logs and through thick bushes. Everything looked the same now.
Her throat tightened. This was how people got lost. One wrong move, one careless moment—and the forest became a maze.
Yet the bobcat remained, waiting patiently. Its body low, ears flicking forward. It wasn’t stalking her. It was leading her.
Claire clenched her fists and exhaled slowly. She wasn’t lost—not yet. If she stayed aware of her surroundings, she could find her way back later.
She quickened her pace, the bobcat guiding her down a small slope. The uneven ground threatened to trip her; she caught herself on a low branch.
How far had they gone? Minutes felt like hours. The farther she walked, the more she doubted she could retrace her steps.
Fear prickled at the edges of her mind. If something happened, no one knew where she was. She hadn’t told anyone about this hike.
She pushed the thought aside. Focus. One step at a time.
The bobcat stopped suddenly. Its ears twitched, nose lifting. Without hesitation, it leapt forward, disappearing into thick brush.
Claire hesitated, breath catching. Was this it? Had she followed for nothing?