Prologue
The howling winds surged through the blackened forest as heavy rain fell, causing inevitable floods amongst the dampened ground. It wasn't an easy life being so primal, but one could get used to it just by making the best of everything; always knowing that they were still alive. This was the life of a grolar bear named Cocoa - a wild spirit that roamed free through the forests of San Francisco, living off of nothing but what she saw in front of her, nature and all of its' beauty, and the unpredictable weathers that came before her.
She didn't even know what San Francisco was.
Her primal ignorance didn't deter her as she rose from the clear, yet cold lake whilst searching for some fish, having no luck for the first time in a while. She felt hopeless as she got out of her favorite lake, her fur a mix between brown and white, but when wet turning a deep tan color. There were usually a lot of things to eat at night, but the storm cruelly washed everything away. Cocoa sat against a tree on a hill, sighing.
"Is there any hope out there?" She stood up, calling to the foggy sky. "I need a miracle; something, anything!"
As the muddy hill gave way unto her feet, she found herself sliding down a long, winding slope; a real muddy adventure. It was a step up from the horrible day of no food and the incessant fighting against intruders, claiming her spot as queen of the forest once and for all. However, Cocoa still felt there was something missing, she lived her life in somber isolation for as long as she could remember, never thinking that there would be any different; it was a strange comfort that only she could understand. As she got up, not so gracefully brushing the mud away from her fur, she walked around the forest, trying to find a place to sleep for the night, but there was no luck. All hope was lost again, the forest was playing tricks on her.
"What are you waiting for?" Cocoa called out to the empty atmosphere, wandering around aimlessly. "Do what you will to me, I don't care anymore!" A sudden bump scared her, quelling her frustration.
"Watch where you're going!" She said, making a fist. "Don't make me tear you to shreds."
She looked up, the creature she bumped into was way taller than she could have imagined, causing her to feel fear, but she'd never show it. The creature was almost invisible in this dark forest, which was almost ideal since intruders would come in at anytime. Cocoa noticed his big feet and the realization hit her so suddenly.
"You're the legendary monster!" She exclaimed. "The one that never comes out at all."
He called himself Charlie, and didn't like to be thought of as a monster; he was just a happy creature that preferred the isolation - something that Cocoa could relate to. Charlie sat down and talked to her, hitting it off with the grolar bear with the wall around her heart; he couldn't believe that either.
"I've seen you around before," Charlie said. "That must have been a wild ride!" Cocoa looked at her muddied self, feeling proud.
"I've conquered rain, snow, mud and all," She said. "It was very fun, but what do you want with me anyway?"
"I see how you protect the forest," Charlie said. "The way you chased those humans away that one time was so cool!" Cocoa loosened up, feeling accomplished. It had always been her mission to protect her home; to be recognized was an honor.
"Thanks," She said. "I must go and find somewhere to sleep for the night."
"Why don't you come with me?" Charlie said. "I could always use a new neighbor!" Cocoa was a little hesitant, but it was only for one night. She would be back to her nomadic self in no time.
"Sure."
As the night waned on, Cocoa found a nice cave not far from Charlie and the myriad of other animals that inhabited his part of the forest. After spending time with every animal, tediously getting to know each other, Cocoa said goodnight to Charlie and found a home in her cave, thankful for some rest at last.
"Finally, it's all over," Cocoa said, staring at the dark cave's glorious interior. "Why would I need friends anyway?"