Dazed and barely conscious, Pandy managed to see the man turning to leave while Wina lay motionless on the ground.
Realizing his small body couldn't possibly fight back, the squirrel launched himself toward the village to get help.
Meanwhile, Arion let out a soft, frightened cry in the man's arms.
The man furrowed his brows. "Don't cry. You should be with your mother, not burdening an innocent father."
But Arion—who until now had only ever cried softly with little resistance—suddenly thrashed. His wails grew loud, his tiny arms and legs flailing in protest.
The man, clearly inexperienced at holding a baby, panicked. He glanced around nervously, afraid someone might see him.
Fumbling, he tried to fix the blanket slipping loose, but his clumsy hands only pulled it further open.
That was when he saw the baby's arm. His expression shifted to confusion. He reached out and touched it. The skin looked and felt like bark, nothing like a human infant's.
