two
Emma
It’s nearly dark out. I’m humming to keep myself company when I spot the edge of my camp through the trees. I’m a little chilly and very stiff from lying on the ground all day. Finally, seeing the mountain sweet pitcher plant up close, after waiting for permission for almost a year, is my dream come true.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, the sun was setting. Worth it, though. I should concentrate on where I’m going, especially since I’m traipsing through the dense woodland without the flashlight I forgetfully left in my tent this morning. Instead, I’m fantasizing about my air mattress and the new mountain man romance book waiting for me.
I’m so lost in my head and my grumbling stomach that when I step into the clearing, I’m focused on what things I need to do to make dinner. I’m still singing when I see a shadow shifting at the edge of the tree line on the other side of the clearing.
I freeze. What the heck? Then I hear it. A low growl. Goosebumps rise on my arms, and the song dies in my throat. Is that a bear? Black bears are common in the area, but I didn’t expect to see one. If not for the growl, I’d think it was my imagination. I can’t even imagine what else it could be, and it’s huge based on the outline prowling in the shadows.
Holy shiitake mushrooms!
Whatever it is, it doesn’t sound friendly. I unfreeze and turn around, running back through the forest as fast as I can. My heavy pack smacks against my back and almost knocks me over. I can’t slow down; it’s chasing me. When I turn to the left rather than staying on the path, pain shoots up my leg from putting too much weight on the ankle I injured in the accident that killed my parents. Holding back a groan, I push on harder. My fight-or-flight response kicks in, but I’m no match for a growly, black bear.
My brain screams at me to stop running, to keep still, but my heart isn’t listening. I can’t hear anything but the loud pounding in my ears, so I don’t know how close it is. Unable to stop myself, I turn look over my shoulder and promptly tumble forward.
One second, adrenaline is pumping through my veins like fire as I run for my life, and the next, I’m face-planting. Now I’m lying on the forest floor and inhaling huge, gulping breaths of decaying leaves and dirt.
How is this my life? Seriously? If the universe wants me dead, why didn’t it just kill me in the accident with my parents? Hot tears slide down my cheeks. Now that I’m on the ground, I need to calm down. Play dead. Maybe the monster will leave me alone. Of course, it will, because I’m so lucky like that.
As my mind races, I try to control my frantic breathing and stop twitching. It’s not happening. My pulse is racing, and my teeth are chattering, even though I’m clenching my jaw. There’s no way I can fake being dead.
I’m going to be bear food.
Lying there, I hope it’ll be dark enough that the bear won’t see me. Then, branches snap, and there are loud thuds behind me. Heavy breathing. Each footstep sounds closer than the last. After sucking in a deep breath, I slowly release it, my last-ditch effort to relax. All my muscles lock up as I brace for the pain.
This bear is going to tear me apart. Shred my skin with its vicious claws and bite me with those huge teeth. I’ll be nothing but a bloody mess until other animals come for the leftovers. That’s what apex predators do.
Why didn’t I bring my bear spray? Because it was one more thing to stuff into my pack, which was already too full. Besides, it’s not near winter. Bears shouldn’t be aggressive at this time of year. Right? I can practically hear my dad telling me to always be prepared for everything. I sniff back tears when I think about him—I miss my parents so much.
Should I chance running for it? Because running has worked so well this far. Who am I kidding? I can barely walk. But waiting here is just asking for it to kill me.
Hot breath whispers across the back of my neck where my ponytail has fallen over my shoulder. I hold in a whimper but can’t stop the cringe. This is it. Now or never. With my arms beneath me, I try to lift off the ground when I hear another growl. It’s way too close.
“Wait.”
What? My brain tries to understand how a wild animal is saying words. Maybe being terrified causes hallucinations. Yeah, I’ll go with that. I drop my arms and brace for what’s coming. My only solace is that I’ll die on this beautiful mountain instead of in the horrible city.
“What the fuck?” a gruff voice asks, its breath tickling my ear.
So close. Too close. Any second now, it’s going to tear me apart. Except the pain doesn’t come…
There’s no mistaking it this time. They were human words. That’s it, I’ve lost my ever-loving mind. Bears can’t speak—not English, that’s for sure. Could the hulking beast be a person? I haven’t seen anyone since I got here yesterday. As far as I know, the Gallant brothers are the only people living on the mountain, and I haven’t seen them, either.
Hands wrap around my waist and lift me off the ground.
No claws or fur on the hands. It is a man. Yup, there’s no doubt about it when he yells at me.
“What the hell were you thinking running through the forest in the dark? Are you trying to get yourself killed? No flashlight. Trespassing. Do you have a death wish? Because if that’s what you’re after, I’ll be happy to help,” the deep voice promises as he helps me to my feet, but surprisingly doesn’t release me until I’m steady.
When he takes a step back, just far enough to give me some space to breathe, I get my first look at him—though I can’t see clearly with so little light. My gaze travels up from the forest floor, taking in his hiking boots, jeans, and a flannel shirt that stretches tightly across his chest and shoulders. Crap on a cracker, he’s huge. At least two heads taller than me, with broad shoulders. No wonder I thought he was dang bear.
After dragging in a steadying breath, I open my mouth to yell at him for scaring the poop out of me. But when I shift on my feet, my ankle gives out, and I yelp.
The man is fast, though. Before I can fall, he grabs me and lifts me to balance on his hip, grumbling under his breath the whole time.
This close to his face, I can mostly make out his expression, and he presses his lips together in anger. His eyes are dark and seem to glitter in the low light. It does something funny to my insides.
