The snow could almost trick her that nothing had changed here at all. But the closer she got the less she could believe it had all been a bad dream. The damaged trees were still standing, black from the fire, and they began to multiply. She moved forward, numb all over again by the damage. Still she didn't stall her movement she kept going, knowing what she sought.
The majestic oak still stood, and by staring at it she could conjure up a more lively image. The green of the leaves, and tan-silver bark. The tall, green grass she use to be able to hide in all around. The stony outcrop that sheltered her and the other cubs where they'd first met and played. Then her own siblings in the same space, looking out at the great world. She almost wanted to run to the den, but she remained at a distance. Her head still ached, and her nose was was still stuffy. Digging would be a waste of energy and for what? She could see from here there were no trails of wolves, perhaps a deer after the last snow. But there wasn't anything for her here. It was all dead. If any of her family was out there, she doubted they would want to visit this place any more than she had. Slowly, she walked to the base of the tree, and began to claw away at the charred trunk. Leaving a circle of sorts that someone might notice along with her scent. Looking at her handy work, then she slipped toward the stream.
Oak Tree Bend had been all about thriving, and the blackened trees put a damper on that. She couldn't image sticking around, let alone bringing it back to life like the wolves of the cove. The grass may have grown back by now, maybe there were tiny trees too, or a different plant could have taken over the barren ground. Making it even less what it was. Silver-blue eyes drifted along the red hills, different memories coming and going like the flow of the water. Raising her muzzle she sang a short, sad note then kept heading north. How had the Chinook Coulee faired?