I totally buy the owl theory. I know it seems bonkers, but I think about the way any major trauma happens and you don’t realize how bad it is right away before the pain sets in, there’s just shock - and I can see her heading into the house before realizing how bad it is and getting part of the way back up the stairs and falling ass over teakettle and then struggling to get back up. Also, iirc, owls are fucking quiet.