Clouds

Part 2-18 Mama Bear

Chapter 18

            It’s strange, how you can meet someone you never imagined existed, and suddenly realize you would be nowhere without them.  I was already days behind schedule, but I didn’t care.  Misty could do what she wanted.  Colby and Awesome are safe with her.  My parents are too valuable to receive the death penalty.  I didn’t care about them.  This was my life, and I felt happy for once.

            I had always wanted to live an adventure like this, doing what I wanted without worrying about my parents’ approval or my friends’ consent.  I could take a few days to enjoy my time here, because I would never be coming back.  Yes, it was all fine with me.

            I can’t sleep tonight.  Careful not to wake Jason, who is sound asleep, I slip out of the tent and sit on a fallen log, where we ate dinner.  I lay back and gaze to the stars, their brightness bewildering me, my eyes wide.

            Maybe the stars hold the answers to my questions.  Will I survive the journey to Rainbow Valley, or will I be caught by the guards and sentenced to death?  Will I die?

            I sigh and turn over, onto my stomach.  I just have to make it out of the Sanctuary and I will be safe. The Queen isn’t able to make it out further than her own borders.  Once I am on the Coastline, the real adventure will begin.

            For a moment I consider taking the easy way out.  I don’t have to go to the Coastline, or even the Hedges.  I can quit now, and go to Sunstone Canyons instead.  It’s not far from here; just a bit of retracing our steps.  Jason and I can start a new life and be happy and safe.

            But then I think of Jason and my family and friends.  I feel terrible for assuming their safety.  Each and every one of them could be in danger, and I wouldn’t know either way.  They’re depending on me to find Cloud and defeat the Queen.

            But I can’t win if I’m not in the game.

            At that moment I hear a rustle in the bushes.  I sit up.  Nothing is there.

            I lay back down and continue to stargaze.  I hear the rustle again, and this time I see it: a mass of dark brown fur and beady black eyes.  My heart pounds.  It is a bear.

            I grab ahold of my bow and arrows, which I carried outside with me.  Trembling, I prepare myself to shoot. 

            The bear looks at me and narrows its eyes.  It must be thinking of whether or not I would make a good meal, or if I was legally on its property.  I can’t just kill this bear; I’m on its land, and I’m at fault here.  I can only kill it in self-defense, and bears don’t make good food in a situation like this.      

            I know the bear will realize I’m just a human eventually, so until then I keep my gaze lowered and my position lowered as well.

            I consider shooting the bear now.  Hey, maybe it would show Jason that I mean business.  But when I spotted three little cubs trailing behind her.  If I was ever going to shoot, there’s not a chance I will now.  I can’t let the cubs me motherless: no one deserves that.

            I lay my bow down and take out my sugar zinger, which I carry on me always.  The handle slides out at my touch and the head expands: a deep shade of periwinkle.  My hand wobbles at first, since I’m not used to the weight, but I soon adjust.  This is my weapon of choice, after all, and I’ll need it in case I have to chase the bear off.