~10~
Alo was abruptly awoken by the aching in his stomach. He looked around to see the sky was still dark and the streets empty. He slowly got up, feeling a sharp pain in his back and neck.
“What happened last night? Was it all a dream?” Alo thought to himself before gently tapping the beer bottle with his hind paw. He looked down for a moment before a chill surged through his body.
“Hinto…I…” Alo clutched his head in disbelief as he tried to piece together his fragmented thoughts. “I…I need to get back to the village. Maybe now he will finally understand that he isn’t welcome.”
Alo waited for a moment, expecting his inner voice to protest, but his mind was quiet.
“Fine.” Alo said under his breath as he aggressively started gathering his things. “The sun hasn’t risen yet; if I set out now and hurry, I may be able to get back by tomorrow morning.”
The silence of Alo’s mind was unsettling, but there were more important things to tend to. That monstrosity may still be roaming around the forest; with or without Hinto, he needed to tell the chief.
The world was in complete silence. No birds sang their song and no wind blew through the trees. The only noise was Alo compressing the snow under his paws. The air was still frigid and Alo’s hunger continued to grow, reminding him with a growl every few minutes. Alo ignored his body’s pleas and continued forward.
The sun had risen to its peak by the time Alo reached the clearing. He looked across to the trees that remained toppled in the creature’s wake.
“So, it wasn’t just my imagination.”
“I can’t tell ya cub, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you were losing it.” the unfamiliar voice echoed.
Alo tried to ignore it as he pondered over which way to go next. It was hard enough to find this place without Hinto’s map, but he always had a gift for finding his way back home.
“I don’t know about you, but I’d say hearing voices in your head isn’t normal. Maybe you should just drink a bit to calm your nerves.”
“I don’t have any alcohol. Please, just let me focus.”
“Well, you didn’t have any alcohol last night, but it didn't stop you from getting some. Why don’t you just head back and steal some more.”
“I shouldn’t have even taken the first bottle from that old Ursine. It isn’t right to steal.”
“Well now that doesn’t sound like you at all. Is that Eastern Ursine getting to you?”
“No.”
“Oh so you’re a liar now too?”
Alo continued to move forward as the sun began to set. The wilderness grew ominous as the sky began to glow a warm orange.
“Please, just be quiet. You aren’t helping me.”
“Hey, you aren’t worried about that Black Ursine are you? Hinto was it? That Ursine wasn’t worth the mud under your claws, Alo. The hit to the head might knock some sense into him.”
“Stop.”
“Yeah, I knew you had a soft spot for that one. He kept giving you all those gifts and making you that food. Heck he even took care of you when you got wasted. You know what I think? I think you need to focus on yourself. He was going to take your job after all; all of that was just a show to make you vulnerable. Then right when you trust him, he swoops in and throws you out on the street. Just like everyone else has. When will you learn that Ursine only want to hurt you. You will never find a friend, heck you definitely won’t find a mate with your stature.”
“Stop.”
“The saddest part is you don’t even have the courage to end it. You leave it up to these ‘gods’ who probably don’t even exist. And if they do exist, well, they probably just let you live to watch you suffer.”
“Please, stop…”
“You can’t even deny any of it can you? Deep down you know it’s true.”
“I just want to go home.”
“You don’t have a home, cub.”
“Enough!” Alo yelled, falling to his knees. “Enough! Be quiet!”
Alo grabbed his head with both hands as tears started to run down his face. He continued to tell the voice to stop as the crescent moon illuminated the the black sky. The forest’s shadows stretched across the ground, fading into the dark distance. Alo didn’t feel tired, but he felt the darkness encroaching upon him. His stomach ached in immense pain as he lost feeling in his body; his hands fell to his side as the world began to warp and spin around him. He let his eyes seal shut; he couldn’t fight it any longer.

~
The lodge was filled with joyous laughter and music as the Ursine drank and ate around the fire pit. Alo watched from a distance, eating his portion of meat.
“Hey there, little bear. Are you enjoying your meal?”
Alo nodded his head as he took another bite.
The Ursine laughed as he took a seat next to him.
“You have been here for awhile now Alo, but this is the first time you’ve seen us celebrate like this isn’t it?”
“Uh huh.” Alo responded, giving most of his attention to his food.
“Well, this is a special holiday celebrating the end of the spring hunting season. We, once again, collected enough meat to feed the village, so we celebrate our prosperity amongst friends and family.”
“Am I…your friend?” Alo asked as he looked over.
“Of course you are!” the Ursine said, wrapping his arm around Alo. “We took you in and made a fine hunter out of you. We are all family here. As long as a hunter has a lodge filled with other Ursine, he doesn’t need anything else.” The Ursine trailed of, taking in the sounds and smells. “This…this is what home feels like, Alo. Never forget that.”
Alo embraced him in a tight hug, nuzzling his nose into his chest. His embrace was so warm, and his heart swelled with the love between them; between every Ursine here. He finally had the family he needed.
Suddenly, there was a large banging at the door, pulling Alo from the moment.
“Don’t worry my friends! I got it!” another Ursine yelled over the caucus. He swung the door open and froze. Alo couldn’t tell what he was saying to whomever was at the door, but it seemed as if something was wrong.
“Stand up, Alo.” The Ursine said as he rose to his feet.
A drunkard budged through the door, wearing tattered clothes; his eyes, bloodshot. His fur was unkempt and he carried a clay bottle in in paw.
“Get out of here, Tamarr! You aren’t welcome.” The Ursine said, pushing Alo behind him.
“What do you mean I ain’t welcome?” Tamarr said as all attention turned to them. Suddenly the carefree atmosphere grew tense. “This is the end of the spring season, right? Ain’t we supposed to be around our friends and family.”
“You are no friend of ours, Tamarr. Leave.”
“Aw come on. First Patwin and now you too, Songaa?”
“Leave or we will remove you by force.”
“Alright, alright I understand I ain’t your friends but,” he stopped to belch, “that cub is the only family I got, so I should be able to at least-”
“I will never let you lay another hand on this cub for as long as I live. You made it clear that your only family is that liquor you drink. An Ursine who would chase off his wife and abandon his eldest son for a alcohol will never be welcome here.
“Hey, Alo, come on; come to papa. Ya miss your old pa don’t ya?”
Alo peeked from behind Songaa and shook his head.
“See, Tamarr, not even the little bear wants to be around you.”
“Well, alright then.” Tamarr said as he staggered towards the door. “I don’t want that ugly runt anyway.”
The door was slammed shut behind him as the lodge was filled with whispers. Songaa looked down behind him to find Alo clinging to his leg.
“It’s alright now, he’s gone. Family looks out for each other. And remember, blood doesn’t always make you family; I never cared much about it, and with a father like that, neither should you, Alo. Now, why don’t we get you to bed?”
~

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