My God…” the tourist exhaled, approaching carefully. – “Calm down, I’m not your enemy. I’ll help you.”

He slowly reached out his hands, trying not to frighten the animal. The deer stamped in place, snorted, but did not run away – as if it understood that the man genuinely wanted to help.

The man took out a knife and, swearing from the tension, began cutting the thick ropes. Each time he made a cut, the deer flinched, but gradually calmed down.

Finally, the rope fell to the ground. The animal took a deep breath and froze, staring directly at the man.

“There, you’re free…” the man exhaled, stepping back.

 

The deer made an unusual, long sound, almost like a call. Then it slowly moved deeper into the forest, glancing over its shoulder as if inviting the man to follow.

The man hesitated, but a strange feeling told him: you need to follow this animal. He did.

For half an hour, they made their way through the dense undergrowth. The tourist could barely stand on his feet, but continued following his unexpected guide. Suddenly, lights flickered ahead.

His heart leapt: it was a campfire. He emerged into a clearing where his friends sat around the fire, worried and frightened by his disappearance.

The man turned to thank the deer, but the animal was already gone. Only the faint crackle of branches in the distance hinted that it had disappeared into the night forest.