I need you on this, I tell my inner bear as I take off my flannel sweater and pull off my T-shirt.You’re going to run into that crowd, roaring your head off.
He just whimpers and sinks down low.
Don’t play with me on this, I warn him as I yank off my boots and socks.We’re doing this. These are your mountains too!
He circles inside, whimpering like he doesn’t want to do it. I can feel the hesitation in him.
It makes me angry.
“I want you roaring up a storm,” I growl as I yank out my belt and pull down my pants. “I swear, I won’t let you out untilSeptemberif you don’t do this!”
There’s probably about a minute left until the lights come on.Everyoneis crowding around. Everyone in town. Every single one of these annoying tourists.
They’re all there.
“I mean it,” I warn him as I yank down my underwear and stand in the snow. “Scare everyone off. Push over the tree. Attack all the decorations and the food trucks. Destroy Christmas.”
I clench my teeth, loosen my muscles, and bring my grizzly bear forward.
A grin hits my lips as I feel the shift roll through me.
Bones crack. Skin tightens. Muscles stretch and burn until they’re twice their size. Fur sprouts out in thick waves.
A deep rumbling snarl vibrates out of my chest as a savage tearing sound rips through the air and I drop down onto four massive paws.
Time to strike.
Go,I urge him.
My giant grizzly lumbers out of the alley and onto the sidewalk.
There’s a little less urgency and roaring for my tastes, but it seems to do the trick.
“GRIZZLY!” a lady screams so loud it makes our ears ring.
A collective scream rips through the crowd as everyone sees us coming.
I grin, feeling better already as people scatter in terror.
Roar, I command him.Let these people have it!
He grumbles instead.
Let’s go!! Roar!
I push him forward, commanding him to sprint into the town square. To give these people what they deserve.
He… sits down.
Don’t even!I snap.Get up!
He huffs.
Some people stop running. They just watch from a distance. Some even take pictures and record, smiling like they’re enjoying this!
Stand up!I roar.You’re embarrassing me!
He looks over his shoulder, utterly unimpressed.
