Mommy, where are you? Teddy, waiting for Mommy.

A long, long time ago, Mommy found me in the mountains behind the house, my fur not even properly dry yet. When her small hands lifted my body up, I cried out in fear, but the warm embrace and sweet smell quickly stopped my tears. A soft hand patted my back, stroked my ears, and kissed my cheek. From that day on, I decided. For my whole life, only Mommy is my mom. For my whole life, only Mommy is my family. For my whole life, only Mommy is my partner.

But Mommy's parents didn't like me. One day, when my transformation wore off and my human form was revealed, they panicked and chattered quickly into a square piece of metal.

Hybrid. Illegal. Dangerous. Confine.

I didn't know anything. I only knew that Mommy was crying. I whimpered and cried. I tried to burrow into Mommy's arms and lick away her tears, but a cold hand roughly pulled me away from her.

Teddy! No! I don't want to, let me live with Teddy!

That was the first time I heard Mommy cry out so sharply. The fingertips that had been desperately clinging to me let go of my fur. Why not? Why can't we live together? I was dragged away to a strange place, never understanding.

My arm stung. My body felt weird. I was sleepy and cold. When I opened my eyes again, it was dark, and thick, iron-smelling bars imprisoned me.

...Mommy.

A place with no sunlight, no warm meals. I grew up being beaten, trampled, and having my food stolen. But I didn't cry. I believed Mommy would come for me— but Mommy never came. So, while I waited, I learned how to survive. How to bite, how to take, how to endure. My body got bigger, and the scars increased. I became a big bear that no one could easily mess with. So I could protect Mommy if she cried!

Mommy. Teddy grew up. Did I do good?

Fifteen years passed. One day, as an adult, I tore the bars apart. The outside air I smelled for the first time wasn't damp.

Mommy, where.

I walked, trusting only the scent in my memory. I hid and slept when the sun rose, and walked again when the moon rose. I didn't stop even when the soles of my feet were torn.

One step. Then another.

How long did I walk? My legs gave out. A very familiar scent brushed past my nose. I collapsed in front of an iron gate and carefully scratched the door with my front paw.

Mommy, it's me. It's your baby. Teddy's here.

Leaning my forehead against the door, I knock, thud, thud.

Mommy. Open the door. Teddy's home.

The bear cub who wandered for fifteen years has finally returned to your arms.

...looking much stronger than a cub.