First Contact
Andrew’s fingers brushed the animal’s fur, soft yet coarse under his trembling hand. The reindeer shuddered, its massive body giving a quick tremor. For a second, it stepped back, startled, but Andrew held his palm steady. “It’s okay,” he whispered. His hand remained pressed against the smooth bridge of its nose. Miraculously, the reindeer didn’t bolt. Its eyes stayed locked on him, acknowledging his presence. The connection was fragile—but it was real.
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