Come Home

Fredrick

"Do you smell that?"

"Smell what?"

"That salty smell. It's so strong I thought you might have been able to smell it too."

"Do you know where it's coming from?"

"I'm not sure. I think from the house."

"Maybe the kitchen?"

"I don't think so. I first smelled it faintly on Chloe, but now it's everywhere."

"And you just started smelling it today? Do you want to check it out before we go find Connor?"

"I'm sure it's nothing. If I still smell it when we get back, then I'll look for the source."

Declan nodded in response, and we fell into a thoughtful silence. We hadn't been walking long when he asked, "So, the bear again?"

"That's what Hannah said. I can't believe he'd do something so reckless though. Strangers are always passing through town and him being seen could easily lead to his death."

"Maybe there's something going on and he knows about it?"

"That's what I'm thinking and hoping."

"He wouldn't tell us unless it benefitted him."

"I'm thinking it would. Something big is happening and having us on his side is an advantage."

"How can you know that? What if he's orchestrating something against us?"

"I have a gut feeling."

"So what's our plan once we find them?"

"Just to play the bear's game."

"You've got this planned to a t," he mocks with a laugh.

"You can't plan too much when it comes to a bear. It has to be natural."

"Even when the bear might have our missing body?"

"I don't think it's wise to mention that to him. He needs to take us seriously and bringing up past queries will set him off."

"So are we just dismissing the disappearance all together?"

"No, just putting it on the back burner for now."

"Do you have a plan for that though?"

"It's still being processed. I'll let you know when I come up with something," I respond distractedly. Turning away from him, I lift my nose to the sky just as a light breeze brushes past. "He went north," I exhale. "Something's wrong. I can feel his anxiety and smell blood."

"Maybe he found the body? Or the bear might have died."

"I don't think either of those would cause him the discomfort I'm picking up on. I would label either of those as 'helpful' discoveries."

"Should we shift?"

"I think we'll be fine as is but if we get separated at any point, then you should."

Declan nodded in understanding and followed me towards Connor. As we slowly approach, my eyes immediately land on Connor, pacing and moving his hand through his hair with a look of panic in his eyes.

"What's happened?" I ask, causing Connor to jump and spin towards us.

"I don't think the bear has been through here, but something else has," he said, moving out of the way to reveal the body of a young girl laying on the ground with her throat slit and blood pooling under her head. The grass and leaves cushioning her are stained a dark red.