Neha was up to no good. She had ventured away from her home at Lost Lake, now that she was old enough to be out on her own for short periods of time. She had snuck away, past the borders without a word to anyone. Not the adults, not even her dear brother Cernan. She was fed up with being cooped up in the same old place, when she knew there was a whole other world out there, just waiting to be discovered! She did not plan on being gone long, or going very far. All she wanted was to do a little bit of exploring on her own. Being young, never having roamed away from home before, she knew not where to go. She simply chose a direction, and stuck with it. The terrain she found, was different than that of the Cove, here on the mountain. It was harder, rougher. Twisting, dividing paths carved their way in multiple directions, leaving their destination a mystery to the girl.

So far, no one had come after her. Fueled by her success at evading detection by the adults, with a grin tugging at her lips, she boldly moved onwards. Just a little further. Her paws flied easily over the unfamiliar terrain, despite her inexperience. But perhaps she had been too confident. One small, loose stone slipped out of place beneath her rear paw, tumbling down the mountainside. And that was all it took, that little shift beneath her feet, to throw her off balance. With a surprised yelp, she stumbled, skidding down and to the side. Momentarily losing all sense of direction. Some force must've been looking out for her that day. She did not fall to her demise down the mountain, but instead landed in the midst of what seemed to be an opening enclosed by rock. Grumbling, Neha pushed herself to her feet, a little winded, but otherwise no worse for wear.

Then she looked up, her lips forming a small O at what she saw. Before her, feet away, laid the motionless body of a mature male deer. It's full rack of antlers completely intact and on display, making for quite the impressive sight at this time of year. She could see no traces of blood that would give away the cause of it's death either. Neha had only seen such animals from a distance...never up close like this. Sometimes, her mom and dad, or another of the adults, had brought her some scraps of hide or meat. But this was different. Seeing one fully intact, feet away. Despite it's stillness, Neha wasn't entirely convinced it wouldn't jump up at any second. Yet she cautiously took a timid step closer, eyes wide with fascination. Her infamous curiosity would win out in the end.