Lost in the Wild by Kadyan

Author:Kadyan [Kadyan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2024-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“This place looks good. What do you think?”

After three days of walking, Allison took the time to examine the surroundings as a connoisseur would. A stream, a small cliff to protect them from the wind, big fallen rocks that would allow them to dry the laundry, a grove of trees with a hazelnut tree… She smiled inside. At least now she knew how to recognize hazelnut trees at first glance…and crack hazelnuts without crushing them.

“Perfect. Only the picnic table and the waitress to take our order are missing.”

Putting down her rifle and backpack, Mike laughed. She loved Allison’s sense of humour. Despite a few clashes in the beginning, everything was going rather smoothly between them now. She appreciated most of all that Allison didn’t talk a lot. Most of the time, they walked in silence, Mike pointing out the animals, the plants. A smile on Allison’s face brightened her day like the arrival of the sun after a rainy spell.

She shook her head imperceptibly. If she turned into a poet now… The rain of the night and morning had drenched them, despite their protective capes, and they had quite a few things to dry.

“I’m glad you like the hotel. It’s a three-star,” said Mike as she walked away to find the flattest spot for the tent.

After a day of carrying the bag, she rolled her shoulders gently while taking a few steps. Ah, there, it will be perfect . With a satisfied smile, she turned to Allison and, in shock, froze. Her heart began to beat like crazy. “Don’t move, Ally. Not a centimetre.”

Allison tensed but, trusting Mike, remained still. Mike stared at something behind her. The expression in her eyes almost made Allison whimper. Fear crawled up her spine. As she opened her mouth to either speak or scream, Mike motioned for her to be quiet. The moment she understood the word bear , she heard the growl.

“Slowly, but really slowly, lie down with your hands on your neck. And then don’t move at all.”

Fear clutching her belly, Allison obeyed. Despite the weight of the backpack, she made minimal gestures and lay down. The growling grew louder. She suspected the bear was right next to her. A sharp blow on the back of her thighs made her scream.

“Say nothing. Not a word, not a cry. Trust me, Ally.”

Mike was terrified. She’d had to deal with bears in her camps before, and it was never a fun time, but their presence added to the experience of being in the deep wilderness. This one, a blond grizzly, had come out of nowhere right behind Allison. Mike had barely had time to warn her before it reared up, drooling, on its hind legs. They had invaded its territory and were too close to it.

“Grizzly, listen to me. We’re only passing through and mean you no harm…”

In a soothing voice, while moving her arms above her head, Mike talked to it. She cursed herself for putting the rifle down. It was only a few steps away, but too close to the bear.

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