The moonlight filtered through the canopy of the Black Forest. It illuminated the odd tableau in the clearing.
Marcus lay flat on his back in the dirt.
Sitting squarely on his chest was a small, grey teddy bear.
The bear had one button eye. It glinted in the pale light.
"Yo," the bear said again. His squeaky voice broke the silence. "Short time no see."
Marcus stared at the toy. His expression was completely flat.
He didn't scream. He didn't panic. He was simply too tired to process reality anymore.
He looked at the fuzzy grey lump pressing down on his diaphragm.
"You," Marcus wheezed. "Are heavier than you seem."
The bear gasped. He placed a stubby paw over his chest. He looked genuinely offended.
"That is rude!" the bear squeaked. "It is pure muscle! Well... stuffing. High-quality stuffing."
"It feels like lead," Marcus groaned. "Get off."
"You should be grateful," the bear huffed. "I was keeping you warm. You were cold as a corpse a minute ago."
