Chapter 10: The Bear

Sam woke up in her tent and rubbed her eyes. She could tell the sun was shining and she could hear birds chirping outside. It must be a beautiful morning. Sam could hear the boys outside rustling about so she sat up and opened the flap just barely to peek out.

"Well, she said her father died in a fight before she was born and that her mother died from leukemia a few years back. She didn't really say much else," Hosea said to Arthur.

"I see. That's too bad for Miss Burke," Arthur replied. Sam dropped the flap and leaned over to hear better. Why were they talking about her? "She didn't say how she got down here?"

"She refused to get into that part."

"Of course. Well, I think it's best if we don't pry into her life, Hosea. Clearly, she ain't no O'Driscoll, so I don't see what we got to worry about."

"You're probably right. But I'm still curious how she ended up in Colter with very little to wear for the weather."

"Ah, like I said, best we don't pry. I think she's been through a lot."

Why did Arthur suddenly not want to get into her past business? What had changed? Sam lifted the flap slightly to look out at the two. They both had their backs to her and she watched Hosea nudge Arthur with an elbow. "Did you ever find her blanket?"

"Yes, I did, but it was so torn up, I gave it to Miss Grimshaw to sew back up. Should've been done by now."

"I think Miss Grimshaw is waitin' for you to give it back to Sam."

"Me?" Arthur chuckled. "Why me?"

"Because you're sweet on on her, that's why."

Sam shut the flap and clasped her hand to her mouth. What the hell gave people that impression? "I am not sweet on her. You and Dutch need to get off that wagon."

"Oh come now, Arthur. Why else would you be so adamant on her not huntin' for a bear?"

"Because she ain't ready for that!"

"And that's your problem because?"

"It's not but..." Arthur huffed at him. "Ah hell, can we wake her up and go, please?"

Sam laid back immediately and acted like she was asleep. She heard footsteps near her tent and the flap opening, then the smell of coffee hit her nostrils. "Sam? It's time to go huntin'," Hosea said.

Sam slowly opened her eyes and groaned as she got up, looking around as if she was confused. "I smell coffee."

Hosea was holding a cup of coffee in his hands. "Here you go."

Sam reached for it and breathed in the scent with a warm smile. "Oh, that smells delicious," she said before taking a small sip.

She crawled out of the tent and stood with a stretch, then she drank more coffee. Most of their small campsite had been packed up already, save for her tent and the fire. She quickly went to work disassembling her sleeping area before loading it onto her horse's saddle. As she finished her coffee, she eyed Arthur putting the fire out and smiled at him. Arthur noticed her and smiled back. They kept their eyes on each other for a moment before Sam looked away and she mounted up. She'd been riding for almost three weeks now and while she still had a long way to go, Sam was no longer sore in the saddle as much as when she first started and she found herself to have a newfound respect for anyone who rode a horse a lot. Specifically ruggedly handsome cowboys. The other two climbed into the saddles and she followed them down the trail.

"We'll try our luck by the water, that's where I saw hin last," Hosea mentioned.

"Okay." Arthur looked behind him at Sam, and she waved at him with a confused look.

"How's that horse treatin' ya, Arthur?"

"So far, so good."

"And you, Sam?"

Sam shrugged. "He seems fine to me."

"Well, keep him if you like. You got a name for him?"

"Hmm...not yet, but I'll think of one."

"You know, I was in this area with Bessie, years ago," Hosea mentioned without prompting.

"Really? I didn't know that. I imagine you still miss her," Arthur said.

"Every day."

Sam assumed Bessievwas Hosea's late wife, so she didn't ask questions. As the two kept bantering on, Sam took in the scenery of the wilderness, still being blown away by the gorgeous landscape. When they turned a corner, Sam got a brief view of the lake and thought how beautiful it was, reminding her of the times Uncle Frank took her fishing. She wasn't the best fisherman, but she made due. She'd even caught a big walleye once, though it wasn't quite big enough to stuff and mount in anyone's wall. It sure was good eating, though. It made her very homesick, especially for Tiffany. Tiffany was her best friend. She thought about how worried Tiffany might be over her missing pal. Did anyone besides Toffany miss her, she wondered? Maybe her boss, but only because he was shortstaffed without her. God, she really needes to get home.

"You okay back there, Miss Burke?" Arthur barked out. "You're awful quiet."

Sam shook her head to clear it. "I'm fine. Just thinkin' about home, is all. I miss it."

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. I just wish I can get back there soon."

Hosea decides to interject. "Sam, if you don't mind me askin', you left recently, yet you want to go back straight away. Any particular reason?"

Sam froze up in her saddle and Arthur looked back at her with a blank expression. "Well, things didn't pan out like they were supposed to down here, so it's just best if I go back."

"I see. Anyway, for now, let's try and chase ourselves a bear, shall we? Let's look by the water here, see if he's been fishin' again recently."

Sam smiled softly at Hosea. She did like the man. He was a friendly old soul, but she only wished he'd stop with the questions, at least until she had a more organized cover story. Sam could very well tell the others to mind their own business, but she didn't want to come off as rude or unfriendly. She liked the gang in general, except Micah Bell. He was a true misogynist if she ever saw one. As they pulled up to the small beach, Sam got off her horse, pulled out her rifle and started looking around for any signs of a bear. And...she found some paw prints. Huge ones.

"Uh, found some prints here. God damn, this bear is huge!" Sam exclaimed.

"Told you," Hosea answered with a chuckle.

Sam cocked the gun as she began following the trail, but Arthur slowed her down. "Easy there, let's not rush too much, okay?"

Sam rolled her eyes at him. "Fiiine," she said begrudgingly.

Sam continued to to follow the trail, but at a slower pace to appease Arthur. He was very close behind her, making her catch a whiff of campfire smoke and pine. She shut her eyes and breathed it in, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

"What you smellin'?" Arthur asked.

"...Nature," she said hesitantly. "Such a good smell."

"Oh. I suppose so."

Sam refocused on the prints and saw a half eaten fish on the ground. "We got a meal here that our friend didn't finish."

"Probably right, Sam," Hosea remarked. "You're getting very good at this."

Sam smiled in appreciation. "Thanks, Hosea."

Sam resumed her trailing and Arthur's scent hit her once more. It was very distracting. So much so that she almost stepped in a pile of bear dung but she quickly stopped herself, making Arthut bump into her.

"Oh, sorry," he said.

"Careful, I almost stepped in bear shit."

Arthur sighed and chuckled. "Apologies, miss."

Hosea knelt down by the pile. "Looks real fresh. Reckon he's gotta be close."

Sam sidestepped by the smelly dung and kept on tracking until the paw prints no longer were in view. "Fuck. Trail stops here," Sam said.

"We lost him?" Arthur asked.

"For now...a little optimism, Arthur," Hosea said.

"Hmm, well, what do you think?"

"I think we split up and each look."

"I'd prefer placin' bait here."

Sam shook her head. "Oh come on, where's your sense of adventure? Let's split up."

Arthur shook his head. "No, we are not splittin' up. We'll use the bait."

Sam narrowed her eyes at Arthur. "Split up."

Arthur crossed his arms, clearly not budging. "Bait."

"Split up!"

"Bait!"

Sam sighed in frustration and looked at Hosea. "Hosea, what's your deciding vote?"

Hosea looked back and forth between the two and raised a brow. "Well, we made bait for a reason. Let's use it."

Sam groaned and Arthur let out a victorious cackle. "Alright."

"Asshole," Sam muttered.

A smirk from Arthur was his only reply to the insulting remark. "Let's leave the bag over there," Hosea said while pointing a little down the way, walking towards some boulders. "By those boulders up ahead looks like a good spot for it."

Sam and Arthur followed close behind. Arthur took out a rag of berries and fish and placed it on the ground before the three headed back a ways behind a smaller boulder. "A thousand pounds, huh?" Sam asked.

"More or less. Big scar down his face." Sam was brimming with excitement as they waited for the big bastard to show up, but nothing happened as they waited. "Hey, did that bait look okay to you?"

"I think so...you're the expert," Arthur said.

"Ready with your gun there?"

Sam nodded. "Of course."

"I'm good. You okay?" Arthur asked Hosea. "You seem nervous."

"So do you," Hosea replied. "I'm fine." Sam took a gander at Arthur. He did seem nervous. She supposed hunting a dangerous animal would do that to someone...except her. No, she was more excited than nervous. Hosea got up. "Let's just take a look at that bait."

The three went walking to where Arthur had placed the bait, Sam having her gun at the ready. "We only just set it, Hosea."

"I know, but we need to do this right." Hosea knelt down and inspected the bait with Arthur while Sam kept on going with her gun raised. "Give me a hand here. Got your knife?"

Sam watched Arthur kneel down before she turned back to hear pounding footsteps and a roar, instantly raising her gun in position to shoot. The bear came into view, looking quite angry. It stood on its hind legs and Sam was immediately terrified. This had been a very bad idea, she realized, but she kept her gun up.

"Sam," Hosea said. "Back away very slowly."

Sam had only taken a few small steps back before the animal charged and knocked her down. Sam screamed and held her rifle up with both hands as the beast bit down on it, trying to bite her. Suddenly the gun was swatted out of her hands and the bear bit down on her shoulder, shaking her about. Sam cried out as she felt skin and muscle tear apart, the pain excruciating. She thought she was going to die. Gun shots fired and she heard her name being called but she was too busy trying to get out from underneath the bear. Sam kept crying and screaming as the bear slapped her body with its massive paws, claws cutting through her clothes and flesh. There was nothing she could do. She was going to die right here, in 1899, away from her life back in 2020. Then she had an idea. No, she wasn't going to go down without a fight. She reached for her knife and started stabbing the bear anywhere she could, even getting a couple of good, deep stabs to its neck. Suddenly the bear collapsed to its side and Sam, with the little strength she had left, crawled away from the dead creature. Panting hard, she tried to get up but was unable as the pain that shot through her whole body put her straight on her back. Arthur appeared at her side, looking quite panicked.

"Sam! Oh, Jesus Christ...Sam..." he voice rang out, almost breaking. Sam reached out for him but her arm fell as her vision blurred. "No, Sam. Look at me. Stay with me, sweetheart."

Sam tried to look back at him but she could barely make him out. "What did I...say...about calling me...sweetheart?" She saw stars when she felt herself being picked up and she cried out, hit stinging tears falling from her eyes. "It hurts..." she mumbled.

"We need to get her to the doctor in Valentine," she heard Hosea say.

"We'll never get her there in time!" Arthur snapped.

Sam saw her vision darken as the world slipped away from her. For what seemed like forever, Sam dreamed about the buck she could never catch. Occasionally it would speak to her, telling her to hang on. Sometimes she'd wake up to Arthur's smell and his warmth around her, and she'd feel safe and comforted before passing out again. Her dreams came in long spurts as she kept slipping in and out of consciousness, at one point seeing a face she didn't recognize.

"Wh...where's Arthur? I want Arthur..." she heard herself say.

"I'm here, Sam," she heard, seeing his blurry face for a few moments. "The doctor is gonna take care of you, okay?"

"If I don't make it...name my horse Orion..." she said.

"Sam, you're gonna be fine, just hang in there." Sam tried to speak but then she nodded off once more.

At some point, consciousness once again started poking at Sam's mind and her eyes slowly opened, fluttering about. She was hurting everywhere but her shoulder hurt the worst and Sam groaned out from how she felt.

"Sam?" she heard an almost disembodied voice say. "Sam, can you hear me?"

Sam turned her head to the side as her vision started to clear. Arthur was talking to her. "Arthur? What...where am I?" she asked, feeling very confused.

She looked up and saw Arthur's gun cart, but she wasn't paying much attention to the details, despite realizing it was morning. She was really only focusing on the look of relief on Arthur's face. "You're in camp. I...we weren't sure you was gonna make it."

Sam tried to get up but she winced and laid back down in defeat. "God, I wish I killed that mother fucker."

Arthur laughed loudly and Sam felt him stroke her blonde hair. "Don't worry, Hosea and I got him for you, but you got a few good licks in with that knife."

"Good." Sam let a small smile show as she stared at Arthur. He kept stroking her hair. She liked the feeling of it. "You must've ridden real hard to get me back here all the way from where we were."

"I did. I got you to the doctor in Valentine and he stitched you up."

"Mmm, where's my horse?"

"Hosea brought Orion back, he's fine."

"Mmm." Sam licked her lips. "I...Orion?"

"You told us to name hin Orion."

"Oh yeah. Heh heh...sorry, everything is kind of...kind of a blur." Arthur inclined his head, his eyes being shadowed under the brim of his hat. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, Arthur...about the bear...it really was dangerous..."

"It's alright. What matters is that you're gonna live."

Sam nodded softly. "I'm thirsty."

Arthur pulled out a flask and Sam slowly sat up, grunting from the pain. He held the open flask to her lips and raised it so she could drink.

"Well, look who's finally awake..." Dutch said as he approached. "You gave us all quite a scare, young lady."

Sam finished her drink and laid back down. "I apologize..."

Dutch laughed, putting a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Oh, no need. We had a feeling you'd pull through, but Arthur was scared half to death for you."

Sam smirked as she saw Arthur's cheeks flush. "Well, I...ahem, you almost died on my watch."

More people started gathering around, all relieved to see that Sam was finally awake. Apparently she'd been in and out for a few days, but Sam felt like she'd slept for a week. She was offered whiskey for the pain by Miss Grimshaw, which she gladly took a few swigs of. It didn't take very long for her to feel better. As she sat over the edge of the cot, she stared down at herself. Her entire chest, stomach and right shoulder was covered in wrapped bandages. Sam wondered if she would have scars.

"We're all glad you're okay, Miss Burke," Miss Grimshaw said. "Arthur and Hosea told us quite the tale about you stabbing that bear while being attacked."

Sam chuckled and winced. "Yeah, well, I wasn't about to take that shit lying down...even though I was on my back the whole time."

The crowd laughed a little at that. Hosea came and apologized, but Sam said there was nothing to apologize for. Eventually people left so that she could rest. Sam laid back down gently and Arthur covered her up with her blanket. Sam smiled up at him. "What?" he asked.

"You got my blanket back."

"Yeah, I did," he said, smiling back.

Sam grasped Arthur's hand and smiled even more. "Thank you for saving my life...again."

Arthur sat back down and sighed. "You're welcome...though you certainly are givin' me a run for my money."

Sam chuckled then groaned from a spasm of pain. "Well, I guess you can relax for a bit until I'm all healed up."

Arthur chuckled and looked down at her hand. Sam did as well, but they kept holding on to each other. Arthur brushed his thumb along her knuckles and grinned at her. "Sam..."

"Yes, Arthur?" she asked, her eyes searching his face.

"...I...well..." Suddenly he let go of her hand and lowered his gaze away from her eyes. "Well, now that you're awake, I suppose I can...go see about some jobs now."

Sam was sad that he let go of her hand, but she wasn't going to explore why. She already knew why she was sad. "Oh. You didn't before?"

"...No. I was...I've been here...with you."

Sam blinked a few times, feeling her heart skip a beat or two. "I see. Well..." she said. "...thank you for watching over me."

Arthur gave her one last look before tipping his hat to her and standing up. As he turned around, Sam frowned. What was going on in his mind, she wondered?