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1
BEAR NECESSITIES
The day starts out peaceful enough. As I navigate through the lush woods, late August heat is draping the afternoon in majestic tranquility. Every crunch of the leaves under my boots pierces the silence, disrupted only by distant bird song.
My thoughts meander until an unexpected rustle snaps me to the present. Instinct kicks in, and my hand drops reflexively to my waist, expecting the reassuring grip of a gun holstered at my hip.
But my fingers grasp at empty space, and I remember with a jolt that I'm now just an unarmed civilian.
A stone's throw away stands a dark-haired beauty. Willowy limbs that seem to stretch for miles are frozen in fear as she plays an unwitting, dangerous game of statue with a hulking black bear. He is almost my height, well over six feet tall, though much wider, and from what I know from middle school biology lessons, way faster and stronger. Sparring with this guy would likely not end well for me, not even under the best of circumstances.
Carefully, I check that my knife,tucked safely at the side of my backpack, is a quick reach away. The bear's teeth glint in the dappled sunlight as it towers over the paralyzed woman. If it comes down to a fight, at least I will have a secret weapon of my own.
Compared to the grueling days of Navy SEAL training, I expected this hike to bea blissful stroll. A week of solitude exploring the Appalachian Trail was what I needed to unwind from the uncomfortable buzz of New York's corporate jungle.
Instead, I find myself howling and clapping my hands loudly as I stomp toward them. “Hey! Over here, you big lug!” My voice bellows through the trees. The confused bear darts its beady eyes between me and the enticing creature before it. When I lunge closer with another shout, it finally decides the woman isn't worth confronting a roaring madman over. With a snort, it ambles back into the forest's leafy embrace.
My heartbeat pounds in my ears as the adrenaline fades. I take off my backpack and approach the still-frozen girl cautiously, taking in her slender frame and wide hazel eyes.
She lets out a choked sob, her legs buckling. I sprint to her, the earth blurring beneath me. She's inches away from the ground when I manage to catch her. Her body, a mix of delicate curves and lean muscle, folds into my embrace. She is surprisingly light. Her heartbeat drums against my chest, her racing pulse nearly visible in the hollow of her throat. Her skin, flushed from the encounter, is warm to the touch, and I'm hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.
Her scent is a wildflower-infused breeze, tinged with the metallic aroma of fear. Cradling her, I study a face etched with beauty and terror, framed by tousled, sun-kissed hair. She has high cheekbones and lips parted in a silent, frozen scream.
“Hey, hey, it's okay. You're safe,” I murmur, her body still glued against mine.
“Thank you,” she whispers, tears glimmering in her eyes. Her trembling voice is a soft touch of silk, caressing my skin.
I give her a reassuring squeeze. “It's alright now. Bears are usually more afraid of us than we are of them. Though this guy came real close.”
She nods.
“I’m Jack,” I say, feeling her heart's quickened pace. “Hiking solo?”
Another nod.
She is shaky as I help her stand up. “I’m Maddie,” she whispers, straightening. Although taller than most women, she reaches only to my chin.
“What brings you out here alone?” My voice comes out more scolding than intended.
“I’m chasing a hundred thousand TikTok followers.” She smiles weakly, brandishing her phone as I raise my eyebrows. “Finding life's meaning, you know?”
I smirk and glance at her backpack, bulging with equipment, tent, sleeping bag, and who knows what else.
“You're hauling all that?” She is clearly not out on a day hike. The weight of that backpack must be staggering. “How long have you been out here?”
“This is my fifth day. I’ll be getting off the trail at Dalton and taking the bus back to the city from Pittsfield.”
“New York City?” My curiosity is peaked. What are the odds of running into a city girl hiking the trail on her own? It’s unusual, to say the least.
“Yes. I moved there recently from New Jersey.”
The sun is already hanging low in the sky, and she looks unsteady on her feet. “Look, it's getting late. How about we break for the day? I know a nice spot.”
She hesitates for a moment, looking me up and down warily.
She seems to decide that I’m safe. “Sounds good.”
We put our backpacks on, then walk side by side in silence. Soon, we emerge into a clearing with a breathtaking view. A small waterfall cascades down rocks into a tranquil pool, sunlight playing on the water's surface. Nearby, a shallow cave offers shelter.
