We are watching out the large den window in the cabin we've all gathered in for the winter. Suddenly, a stampede of leaping elk, smearing one corner of the horizon to the other. We tense up, knowing what comes next.

Bears, great big, brown bears, bloodied fur from battle, rolls in after the elk, tearing the stragglers to bits.

The elk are not even for food, we've learned, the bears have changed in every way. Their bodies have become larger, their paws and mouths stretched wide with bigger claws and teeth. After they're done with the elk, the last of them scurrying away, free for now, the bears fight each other. We watch; our eyes constantly checking that the amount of land in between them and us isn't getting smaller.

We're running out of food, of course, as we always do, and someone has to go out to the falls for fish. It's my turn this morning and I am trying to gather my thoughts, to only pay attention to my metered breathing.