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I could have whooped for joy. The wind whistled through my hair as I ran, jumping over fallen trees, splashing through streams. A gun bounced on my back. The Appalachian Mountains were perfect for hunting bears. I had been tracking one for a few days. It was a mother, with two cubs. A giant grizzly. They were my favourite type of bear. A few gunshots to the head, and the cubs would be in the Great Beyond. Obviously, I might have to dispose of the mother too. If I could kill the cubs without harming the mother, I would do, but once I had shot her baby, she would not rest until I too was dead. Grizzly mothers are vicious creatures. I stopped, bending down to check a footprint on the floor. The bears were less than half a day away. I could easily catch them up. I needed to be careful so I didn't attract the unwanted attention of any other bears in the forest.
I splashed through a stream, soaking my boots. On the other side, I rested against a tree, pulling out my small flask of water and refilling it from the clear river. I closed my eyes, letting the cool air of the forest brush over my face. And then I set off again. I could not afford to waste too much time. The bears could cover greater distances than me in half a day. I could not let them get further away. Considerately, they had followed a trail, which made my tracking easier. I jogged along the worn track, careful to avoid any dry twigs that might crack and advertise my presence. Branches caught at my clothes, tearing at my face as I ran past, but I persevered. This bear would feed my family for a long time. I was chasing it back towards my house, a little log cabin in the forest. This was not my choice; once again the considerate grizzly was making my job a lot easier. Normally, I have to drag the bear cubs a long way, but this time I could ask my father and brothers to help me bring it home. I ran forwards, confident my journey was nearly over.
Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I spotted it. A giant brown shape, barrelling towards me. I skidded to a halt, and turned. I could not believe it. Another grizzly had found me. This one was alone, charging towards me. I was frozen to the ground. I could not move. He halted in front of me, rearing onto his hind legs. His paws came down, raking across my face, slapping me with such a force I fell to the ground. He roared loudly, batting me again. This blow tore into my side, and my life's blood pumped out of my body. His head bent to mine, and he sniffed me cautiously. He started playing with me, buffeting me from side to side. Each time his paws hit me, I felt myself getting weaker. His claws dug into my arms and legs, and blood covered the ground around me. The grizzly continued to play. If he could smile, he would be doing as he watched me fighting the pain. I was determined to hang on to life. If only he would tire and leave me alone. But then, he stopped playing with me. I knew then I was about to die. I was right, my journey was nearly over. My life was going to be taken after only twenty years. I closed my eyes; I would not watch as the bear ripped my throat out.
Before the fatal blow fell, I became aware of a commotion above me. The bear had been pushed away. I heard terrible snarling, growling sounds, and a loud tearing noise. I knew what was happening: another bear had come along and they were fighting over my near dead body. The fight sounded vicious, and it lasted for a few minutes. Then, there was a horrifying groan, a long drawn out groan that seemed to last for hours. I was sure I was about to die at the hands of the stronger bear. I braced myself for the slow death. Suddenly, I felt cold, iron-hard arms scooping me up and I felt as if I was flying. I lay there for a while, until I was brave enough, and curious enough, to open my eyes. And my breath left me in a rush. Looking down at me was the most beautiful face I had seen in my short life. Clouds of blonde hair wafted about a heart-shaped countenance, and molten topaz eyes gazed into my brown ones anxiously. There were slight shadows under the gemstone eyes; a stark contrast to the ivory-pale skin. Flawless lips curved into a smile, and the eyes moved from mine. I felt as if the arms were rocking me, but looking around I saw we were flying through the forest. I gazed once more upon the beautiful face, hoping it would give me enough strength to pass into the next life, because I was sure by now I was dead. But I was glad, because I had found her.
I had found my angel.
Walking Thunder