The moment her eyes darted away to survey the path, it took off with surprising speed, bolting straight into the forest. A startled yelp escaped her lips as she turned, watching the calf’s little figure disappear into the dense foliage.
The calf’s panicked sprint didn’t go unnoticed. Voices rang out behind her, urgent and sharp. “Did you hear that?” one of the poachers barked, his voice rising in suspicion. Heavy footsteps pounded the ground, drawing closer as they neared her position.