To Thaw a Hero's Heart

Chapter Twenty-Three: Forest Rumble

Chapter Twenty-Three: Forest Rumble

Mathias trudged through the forest with ease as he slowly scanned the area ahead of him incase of any threats to him. He knew he was being followed and he hoped to either lose this person or trick him so he could get the drop on the person following him. He heard a snap behind him which caused everything around him to get quiet. He froze for a few moment as he tried to pinpoint the location of the sound as it slightly echoed through the forest. He turned slightly and noticed a figure behind him but he could make out who it was or the gender so he decided to move on forward in hopes to lose his stalker so he could continue his hunt.

Abigail didn't know how long she had been following Mathias but she knew she couldn't stop now since she wanted to know what Mathias was up to at this hour. She had made the mistake of stepping on a twig which alarmed the man she was following and silently waited till he started moving again.

"Can't he slow down a bit?" She thought as she climbed over a fallen tree. She saw Mathias moving ahead at a far distance and wondered how he could move so fast through the woods. She knew what's in these woods and noted to herself that getting lost would be a bad thing for her and feared of running into bears or worse wolves at this hour.

She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Mathias' roar from the distance and this motivated her to rush forward having already lost sight of him she hopped to spot him while on her sprint but sadly didn't find him anywhere.

"Oh great now i've lost him!" She thought in disbelief as she scanned the area for him. She decided to chance it and continue through which led up the mountain. She took a break as she sat on a log and looked up trying to see the position of the sun in which she guessed was mid afternoon. She sighed in frustration as she put her hands over her face in disappointment as she finally decided to head back knowing she wasn't going to find him here. As she was about to go back to which she came she realized she didn't know where to go as everything to her looked the same. She began to panic by the realization and began to move about maneuvering around branches rocks till she stumbled into a small clearing. A strong foul stench filled the air and she slightly gagged a bit as she covered her nose.

"What's that smell?" She asked herself as she moved further into the clearing. She spotted a small object in the center of the clearing it was surrounded by thick bushes and a large boulder behind it. The closer she got the stronger as she finally identified the object as a sheep corps. It's body torn open to reveal the ribcage. The sight almost made her sick but a noise stopped her from doing so as she heard a low growl near her.

"M-Mathias!" She called out and she spotted the large boulder move slightly. She turned to face it fully to get a better look at it. She watched before the mass move up to reveal the face of that of a bear as it flared its nostrils at her. Abigail was beyond frightened as the bear rose to stand on its back legs still staring at her with it's black eyes. Blood dripped from its lower jaw as it roared at her causing her to scream in terror as she began to run in the direction of which she came. She could hear the beast's footsteps not far behind her as she maneuvered around another tree and slammed herself against what she assumed to be a tree and fell backwards. She was tired and needed to move till she heard a low hiss in front of her and she slowly opened her eyes to see Mathias standing in front of her with agitated expression on his face as he looked down at her then behind her.

"Mathias we have to go! There's a bear not far behind me." She said as she quickly got up and a roar was heard and she knew it was the bear and Mathias shoved her out of the way and challenged it with one of his own as he took a step forward. She watched in horror as the bear moved in at a fast speed and bit Mathias on the neck forcing him to the ground. Mathias roared in pain as the bear began to move him around the area and Abigail was quick to move out of the way as Mathias's thigh slammed into one of the broken trees causing it to fall. Mathias broke free of the bear's grip with a painful yank and swiped his right hand down on the left side of the bear's face and landed on his hands as the two growled at each other before the bear charged at him slamming him in his side. She could hear Mathias's jaws snapping at the bears side and saw the new wounds he gave it as the new slash marks across its side as he backed away from it, irritation evident on his face as the bear charged again and slammed its head on his left leg making Mathias growl in pain before he snapped his head toward the bear biting down on it's neck. She watched as the bear roared in pain as it tried to free itself but Mathias put his hands on his neck and head. Mathias let out a growl and a loud snap was heard as everything went sickenly silent and the bear went limp in his grasp before he let go of it letting it fall to the ground by his feet.