“I’m trying to help,” she murmured.
Finally, her fingers brushed something rough—a jagged stone, small but sharp.
She grasped it and wedged it under the wire, prying carefully.
The kitten trembled but stayed still. The wire bit deeper into its fur as Claire applied more pressure, gritting her teeth. Then, with a sharp snap, the wire loosened. The kitten yelped softly and jerked free, stumbling unsteadily onto shaky legs.
Before Claire could react, the mother bobcat sprang forward. Instinct screamed at her to move—but she froze. The mother didn’t attack; instead, she sniffed the kitten and nudged it gently. The tight knot in Claire’s chest finally eased.
The kitten took a few wobbly steps before disappearing into the underbrush. The mother lingered a moment longer, her piercing eyes locking on Claire’s, then vanished into the forest.
Claire sank back, breathing heavily. She had succeeded. But now a new problem loomed—she was alone, lost deep in the woods with no clear path back.
Her pulse quickened. The sun had shifted, casting long shadows between the trees. If she didn’t find the trail soon, she’d be in serious trouble.
She stood, scanning the trees. Everything looked identical. Walking in circles wouldn’t help.