In the peaceful forest clearing, a sudden scream broke the silence. Baby Jacee, small and delicate, had just been thrown to the ground by Libby. The sight was heartbreaking. Joyce, standing nearby, froze in shock and disbelief. Her eyes widened as Jacee’s tiny body hit the dirt with a soft thud, followed by a sharp cry of pain.
Joyce’s heart burned with fury. How could Libby, once a gentle mother, act so cruelly? She rushed over to check on Jacee, who whimpered weakly and tried to lift her little head. The poor baby’s fur was dusty, and her limbs trembled from the impact. Joyce gently cradled Jacee, her touch full of warmth and care. Tears welled in her eyes, but she knew she had to stay strong—for the baby’s sake.
Libby stood at a distance, glaring coldly as if she didn’t care. Joyce wanted to scream, to lash out, to demand an explanation. But the brutal truth was, she couldn’t do anything. Libby was older, stronger, and higher in the troop’s hierarchy. Any challenge could lead to more violence—not just for Joyce, but possibly for Jacee too.
So, Joyce swallowed her anger, holding back the rage that boiled inside. Instead, she whispered softly to Jacee, offering comfort with every gentle stroke. In her heart, she made a silent promise: she would protect the baby from now on, even if she couldn’t fight Libby directly.
It was an unfair world, where the weak suffered and the kind were powerless. But Joyce’s love was stronger than fear. And though she couldn’t stop what happened, she could make sure Jacee felt safe in her arms, where cruelty couldn’t reach—for now.
