But the bears didn’t move closer. They simply stood there, watching her. She wasn’t sure whether she should run or stay, but something in the way they looked at her—something in the quiet, stillness of the moment—held her in place. The larger bear began to move again, but this time, it didn’t just retreat.
It started circling her slowly, deliberately, while the smaller bear mirrored its movements. Evelyn felt her heart pound faster as they gently herded her, not aggressively, but with clear intent. Every time she shifted her position, the bears responded, subtly blocking her path.