"I called about the polar bear formula," I say to the man at the counter.
I pull Pneuma out my pocket.
"Here you go."
The man sets a metal tin and a bottle on the counter.
"Will that be enough? She still has five months before she can eat meat."
The man sets four more tins on the counter.
"It's about one tin a month."
I hand him my credit card, put the tins and the bottle in a bag, and leave.
"Thank you, Jasper," I say. I give him a big hug.
"My honor, ma'am," he says, laying on the Texas accent.
"Do we have to go back to the house?"
"We should got back and feed Pneuma."
We got on the motorcycle and ride back the house.
As I walk in the house (Jasper has his hand on the small of my back, ready to hold me back), I read the directions for the formula. It says to heat water, mix in the formula, and wait for it to get room temperature.
"Benjamin! I need your help," I say.
He runs up to me.
"Yes?"
"Make this."
I hold out the tin and the bottle. He takes them and walks into the kitchen. Five minutes later he hands me a full bottle and a slightly lighter tin.
I go upstairs, sit on the bed, and feed Pneuma. She falls asleep after I feed her.
"Now what do I do with her?" I ask.
"Phase and take her to her father," Jasper says.
I go into the bathroom, strip, and phase. I grab Pneuma by the scruff of her neck and carry her to the hole where her dad was.
Only he isn't there anymore.
I set Pneuma on the ground and howl. A minute later, I get the slightest response. I pick Pneuma back up and run to the sound.
When I get to him, I'm shocked.
There are bite marks all over his neck and he's lying in a puddle of his own blood.
"Nanook?" I whimper.
"She attacked me," he pants.
His eyes start to close.
"No. Nanook. Don't leave me."
"Daddy?" Pneuma whimpers.
"I love you both," Nanook whimpers and goes still.
"Nanook? Nanook! Wake up!"
I throw my head back and howl.
I pick up Pneuma and lay down beside Nanook. I set Pneuma between us.