Jayce rested his chin on a bent forefinger and tapped his lip with his thumb and willed himself not to laugh.“That’s the one.”
They found the scientist about a mile in, right where his dad had guessed he’d likely be, because it was close to the creek.
“Hey, there,” the guy called out cheerfully when they drew near.
He lounged in a camp chair next to the Mercedes of tents, a can of craft beer in his hand.A notebook and pen rested on a small folding table.He’d set up a portable bear fence around his encampment, which made Jayce feel better about his odds for survival.There were two bear bins inside the fence—one for food, one for waste.No more backpacking for this guy.
Someone must have helped him move everything in.The good news was that he wouldn’t be wandering any farther than he could easily walk in a few hours.He looked quite comfortable right where he was.Best guess was that his research grant had come through, and he planned to spend the summer writing in a low stress environment away from the office.
“Quite the nice little setup you’ve got here,” Jayce said, looking around.
“Thanks.Can I offer you a cold drink?I’ve got cans in the creek.”
“We’re good.We were out for a trail ride and saw signs someone was camping.This area is usually only accessible through Ride No More land, so I wanted to make sure you weren’t a poacher.”
“No poaching.”
Jayce glanced pointedly at three fishing rods propped on rocks with their lines in the water.
“Maybe the odd fish for dinner,” the scientist said, unrepentant.
“I’m sure you’re aware that bears like to fish too.”
“Sure am,” he said.“That’s one of the perks of this location.”
“You aren’t worried about that?”
“Not in the least.The bears are well fed.There’s plenty of fish and wild game.They aren’t bulking up for winter yet, and besides, bears are typical apex predators.They’re basically lazy.They’ll steal game from other predators before they’ll go after me.”
Jayce had done what he was asked.He’d checked on the scientist, and everything was in order.His campsite might not be in the smartest location, but at least he’d put wire around it.
“All right, then,” he said, and began to turn Side-eye around so they could head back to the trail.
Side-eye started to tremble.His head shot upward.
What the—
Side-eye reared.Then, he bolted.
Jayce didn’t have time to do more than hang on.
*
Malika
Tremors rippled throughSaber’s body.Malika saw Side-eye bolt into the woods with Jayce hanging on tight, realized what those tremors building under her thighs meant, and threw herself out of the saddle.
She landed hard on her hip and her arm, then rolled to her feet in a crouch.She watched Saber, the most peaceful of horses, disappear at a full gallop in the opposite direction of Side-eye and Jayce.
Meaning whatever the threat was, it was behind her.
She whirled to face it.
A goliath emerged from the trees—a grizzly bear, humpbacked and round shouldered.Its head swung back and forth, testing the air as it lumbered forward.It was as magnificent as it was terrifying.
Malika didn’t like being afraid.
“Don’t run,” the scientist said to her.“Running will trigger a predatory response, and it will chase you.Try to look big.This isfantastic,” he exclaimed, because he was inside the bear fence, so his perspective was somewhat different from hers.“Where is my camera?”
