The thick for engulfs me as I walk deeper in to the dark forest. It seems as though everything that lives in the forest is sleeping, as I should be. With each new step the uneasy feeling in my stomach grows stronger. Leaves crumble beneath my shoes and twigs snap, making me jump with fright. The air is fresh due to the recent rain and I can practically taste the dewy texture the air has maintained. Although the morning was hot, the afternoon shower had made the temperature drop significantly, making me regret choosing my light sweater for this dare. Now that I am actually in the “forbidden forest”, the dare seems so trivial and I feel ludicrous for agreeing to it. There is no “great grizzly” in the woods, in fact it may be empty.
I turn to head back to the campsite when I realize I have lost my bearings. With trembling hands I shine my flashlight along the trees, seeing nothing but shadows. I see no sigh of a path to get back to the campsite, nor do I see any markings on nearby trees providing me with any sign of being on the right track. The bulb of my flashlight begins to flicker and I instantly regret not putting fresh batteries in as my mom had suggested before coming to camp. I call out once, but the only response I get is the wind whistling through the tree branches, as soft reminder I am alone. I stand in the dark amidst the trees, pathetically shining my dieing flashlight around the woods when I suddenly hear a rustle. My initial thought is that the girls have told the camp leaders I’ve been missing and that they are here to save me. When I see a huge mass of brown fur emerge from the shadows rather than the ponytail of my camp leader, all hope of rescue is gone. I find myself metres from the hugest grizzly I have ever seen, with no idea of how to escape. I think about climbing a tree; I think about running as far away as possible. Although I know both plans will fail, I desperately want to try. My legs refuse to move; my muscles stiffen as the bear slowly closes the gap between us. I rack my brain for what the camp leaders told us to do when faced with a bear, but my mind is blank. I stand helplessly as the bear stops one metre from me. I can hear it breathing heavily and can smell its dank fur. As it opens its mouth to reveal its sharp teeth, a hot burst of stale fishy breath hits me like a wall, nearly making me gag. As the bear starts to lift itself up on its hind legs, my flashlight slips from between my fingers, leaving us both in darkness. Suddenly I felt the heat and stench leave and I become chilled once again. I see waving flashlights and hear the voices of my camp leaders growing louder. I rush into the direction of the lights, relieved to see familiar faces. Despite the night I have had, I find myself smiling s I think about the story I now have to share.
