Survive the Fall (EMP: Return of the Wild West Book 1) by Grace Hamilton

Author:Grace Hamilton [Hamilton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

21

A shallow grave at the base of a large spruce tree, a mound of dirt covered in rocks and leaves—that was the only burial they could provide for poor Tommy Riedel. They stood at the foot of the grave together for a few minutes, but no one said anything. Emma cried again, and Tuck brushed away a tear. Greg thought his father might say a word or two, but he didn’t. As for Greg, he felt only a low, awful weight. He couldn’t bring himself to speak or pray. Poor Tommy deserved better, but there was nothing to be done about it now. The gloomy feeling was so thick, he was practically wading through it.

Eustace finally stooped down, picked up a loose rock, and placed it on the center of the grave. Then he rose, nodded at Greg, and started away. Apparently, that was the signal that it was time to move on. Greg hugged his daughter. She’d never faced death before. He was worried about the long-term effects the trauma of the incident would give her, but what could be done about it?

They trudged back across the campground, passing the vast bloody carcass of the bear, and proceeded to pick up their gear and pack.

“Should we butcher it for meat?” he said, gesturing at the bear.

“It’s full of lead,” Eustace noted.

“We can cut around the bullets,” Greg said. “We’re practically out of food.”

Eustace glanced at him, at the bear, at Tuck. “Nah, I don’t think so. We’re really close now, and the way station will have plenty of food. I think we’ve seen enough blood and meat for one day. You do what you want, Greg, but I’m moving on.”

“Leave it be,” Tuck said. “I’ll pick some edible plants later today. Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to do anything right now. Either you understand or you don’t.”

And with that, Tuck walked away. Greg understood the sentiment, though it still seemed foolish.

“So be it,” he said, finally.

The tents had already been taken down, and Tommy’s bedroll remained sitting on the grass. No reason to carry it now.

Poor guy, Greg thought. Nobody should have to go through that.

It was a somber group that marched out of the campsite and headed down the hill toward the pipeline. Eustace had traded the machete for the rifle, which he now carried at his side, as if he expected other bears to come seeking revenge.

“I just don’t understand why it attacked,” Tuck said. He was the first to break the silence since leaving camp, but he sounded rough. “We didn’t do anything to provoke that damn bear. We were all minding our business, and Tommy was just sitting there. He wasn’t a threat.”

“It was a female,” Eustace said. “Probably had a cub in the area.”

“We didn’t see a cub, though,” Tuck replied.

“Well, maybe it ran off. Or maybe there wasn’t a cub. Maybe the bear just smelled our food. I’m sorry it didn’t explain itself. We just have to be more careful from now on.

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