Alarming Discovery
As Marissa and the bear pushed further into the forest, they came upon a clearing where several large cages stood. Each one was open, but clear marks and scratches on their insides spoke of recent occupants. More concerning was a smaller cage, lying on its side, its door broken open. Tufts of bear fur were caught on its jagged edges, and nearby a tranquilizer dart lay discarded in the dirt. The implications chilled Marissa to the bone.