Altha had lived in close proximity to the vast expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains for nearly half a century. Over these years, she had grown accustomed to the occasional sighting of bears meandering through her yard in Wears Valley. The 90-year-old woman had developed an intimate understanding and respect for these creatures, cherishing the privilege of coexisting with them.
However, one day, she encountered a bear that did not align with the previous passive sightings she had experienced. This specific bear exuded an aura that was noticeably different, and Altha could feel it. This encounter felt unfamiliar and unnerving, unsettling her in ways her previous bear interactions had not.