Sadie could be anywhere.
THIRTEEN
Sadie
Running into the middle of nowhere wasn’t the brightest decision I’ve ever made. Worse, coming face-to-face with two bear cubs when looking for shelter.
Their mama isn’t far behind.
She growls as I retreat, keeping my head down. I don’t know much about bears, but with dogs, you don’t want to challenge them. I assume it’s the same when it comes to a menacing stare.
I avert my gaze and walk backward with long strides, doing my best to escape the mama bear before she attacks.
My cell phone fell from my hands and smashed into a tree limb lying on the ground. It’s useless. I don’t know where I am or how I will get out of the forest.
Being lost is my second concern. The first is the aggressive bear stalking me.
With every step I take backward, she takes two steps closer.
I have nothing to throw at her. Nothing to make loud noises to scare her away. I’m no longer near her cubs, but she doesn’t seem to care about that, only that I was near her babies.
I don’t want to be a threat, but it’s too late.
Begging and pleading aren’t going to save me.
I take another step and trip over a log, landing on my ass.
The mama bear takes the opportunity to lunge at me.
I grab a rock from the ground, throwing it at her.
It’s not enough.
I scream, find another rock, and throw it at the bear.
In the distance, the sound of a gun goes off.
The bear is fixated on me.
I scramble against the ground, scooting backward. I can’t jump up to my feet without coming face-to-face with the grizzly.
The bear is agitated. Angry.
She swipes at me as I scurry backward, and she jumps onto me. I’m confident that I’m done. It’s over. I’ll never see Allie again. My sister will have to raise her. They say your life flashes before your eyes.
Two dark orbs of the bear’s eyes and sharp teeth stare down at me. The bear grabs my hair, yanking my head while I scream in horror.
This is it—the end.
Another gunshot.
My eyes close, the pain from my head and the bear’s weight crushing my chest.
* * *
I awaken to the sound of beeps—soft cotton sheets. And a stiff mattress at my back. My fingers run over the fabric as my eyes flutter open.
“She’s awake,” the blonde says, gesturing for Dmitri to come back into the hospital room. He’s carrying a steaming cup of coffee. His eyes are filled with worry.