7.A Cry for Help
Addison, frozen in place, felt his heart race. Despite his years of experience in the forest, this sound was unlike anything he had ever heard before. Faint but poignant, it carried an urgency that could not be ignored. He waited for the cry to repeat, holding his breath in hopes of better identifying its direction. Seconds turned into minutes, and just as he began to doubt what he had heard, the cry rang out again. This time, Addison was certain: the sound was coming from ahead of him, somewhere deep within the forest.
Addison’s concern grew. Whatever animal was making this cry seemed to be in desperate need of help. Without hesitation, he abandoned his campsite and grabbed his emergency bag. Step by step, he advanced cautiously, careful not to scare the injured animal. Each movement was calculated, every sound scrutinized, as he slowly approached the source of the cry. 8.A Lost Puppy
The closer he gets, the more urgent the cries become, filled with distress that unsettles him. Though his trained ear tries to identify the species making these sounds, the noise remains strangely unfamiliar. His eyes scan the vegetation, searching for any movement or hint of fur. Suddenly, he spots a small dark silhouette curled under a fallen tree trunk.
Addison holds his breath as he realizes he has found the source of the cries. From where he stands, the animal looks like a tiny black puppy. It visibly trembles, its fur tangled and covered in dirt. Despite his experience, Addison feels a strong urge to rush to the creature and comfort it. But he knows even a small, seemingly harmless animal can become dangerous when frightened.
Addison crouches slowly, lowering his height to appear less threatening. He begins murmuring softly, using his voice to try to calm the animal. As he inches closer, his mind races: is this truly a lost puppy? Or could it be something else, something entirely unexpected? He knows the answer to this question will determine his next move.