Chapter 2

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Heart thumping in her chest Lillian ran as hard as she could, shoving her way through bushes and brambles. The thorns tore at her clothes and skin but she didn't have time for pain.

The animal was gaining on her. The heavy paw prints chasing her shook the ground she ran on. Struggling to breathe, she gasped desperately for air. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair dishevelled. She didn't know where she was running to. All she could do was pray she wouldn't trip or hit a dead end.

Occasionally she would glance back with eyes full of panic and terror to see the foliage she had meekly pushed through, being torn down with ease by the ruthless beast. Its eyes were focused solidly on her, its teeth bared and mouth foaming.

'HELP ME!' She called, but her voice had little power. The bear's snarls and growls seemed closer than ever and, to her misfortune, she didn't feel she could run much further. Her legs ached and her lungs stung as if they were scraping for every last tiny bit of oxygen.

'PLEASE…SOMEONE!'

She came to a shallow lake area and not fussed about the unknown depth, ran straight through it. The water seeped into her sandals and splashed up around her shorts, but that was the least of her worries. The bear didn't see the water as an issue either.

It had chased her all the way to the mountain's summit…on Bluebell's side.

~::~

It was a Thursday, and Cam had just begun his venture to look for fresh flowers he needed for a bouquet order. He walked casually along the dirt path, hands in pockets as usual. He whistled contently, minding his own business and enjoying the fresh morning breeze. Suddenly though, a scream of fear grabbed his attention- Not usually what you hear outside such a quiet town in broad daylight.

He froze, glancing around frantically. Cam wasn't really the heroic type, in fact he'd rather just avoid danger at all costs. But there was something about that cry…it was so desperate, so innocent.

'ANYBODY!' The voice called again.

He jogged over to the top of a ditch leading down to a clearing often used by the locals for hand fishing. His eyes scanned the area quickly and carefully. But there was nothing.

'HELLO?' He called.

Still nothing.

He waited a moment more. The gentle breeze blowing his bangs across his face carried a soft weeping noise.

Growing more and more concerned, Cam slid down the side of the ditch and walked to the water's edge.

'Hello-' He began, but once he caught view of the large grizzly bear, he froze. It paced back and forth in front of two large boulders, its eyes carefully watching the gap between them.

He began moving slowly backwards, all the while watching the bear and considering how he was going to get back up the slope. A sharp snap cut his train of thought as he glanced down to where his foot now hovered over a broken twig.

He cursed under his breath, reluctant to even look towards the irritable animal as it was sure to have heard.

And sure enough, as Cam looked up slightly with a grimace, the beast was coming stalking towards him.

His mind rushed through thousands of possibilities all at once not having time to think through anything individually. However nothing really seemed possible or even sensible.

The bear growled and snarled, with each step its large claws sinking into the marshy ground.

Think Cam, THINK!

Glancing over his shoulder his noticed a large branch weakly clinging to the side of the ditch. And suddenly an idea sparked. He moved carefully towards it, any sharp sudden movements may aggravate the bear even further.

His eyes never leaving the animal that still approached him at a steady pace, his fingers wrapped themselves slowly around the mossy wood.

He began tugging at it gently hoping that it wouldn't take much to break it off. He pulled harder and harder, but it seemed pretty reluctant to budge.

That's when Cam started panicking. The bear was getting dangerously close. One swipe with a giant paw or one snap of that powerful jaw and it was lights out!

He yanked at the branch harder than ever and to his utter delight he felt it begin to give way. When it eventually fell he heaved it up into his arms and without a moment to spare swung it at the bear.

It reared slightly off the ground dodging the first jab. Roaring in anger, its front paws thumped into the marsh. Cam swung again, and again, and again, each one missing by merely an inch.

He realised he didn't have much time left. The bear was agitated and was done biding its time. It was about to charge and for Cam it was a "now or never" situation. With a deep breath Cam shut his eyes tightly and swung the branch one last time.

BA-THUMP!

He waited a few moments before opening his eyes cautiously. The bear lay in a heap in front of him…out cold.

The branch fell from the florist's hands as he stood completely still and panting for breath. What had just happened?

I did not just fight off a bear! He thought in utter disbelief.

'I-is it d-dead?' A voice stuttered shakily from the other side of the shallow lake.

Jolting a little, Cam's gaze shot towards the petite figure immerging from the gap between the boulders.

'Lillian…' He said quietly.

She crawled on all fours, clothes torn and stained, face muddied and hair knotted. She looked up as Cam moved swiftly towards her. He offered her a hand and she took it, wincing as he pulled her up.

'Are you okay? What happened?' With his thumb he swiped the blood droplets which ran from a gash just below her collarbone.

'I…was foraging…a-and I guess I wandered too far into the forest…and the bear…it came out of nowhere…' Still out of breath she struggled with her words as well as her memory. His increasing look of concern and delicate touch distracted her also. He cared about her…he was worried.

He shook his head in disbelief.

'You couldn't just stay at home…work safely on your farm? The mountains are pretty dangerous you know! No place for a girl like you!'

She could see he was angry and she wasn't sure whether to be flattered by his concern or insulted by his belittling comment.

'Hey! I can handle myself, I'm not as weak as everybody thinks!' She fought back.

Cam folded his arms and raised an eyebrow, those emerald eyes portrayed a mocking expression.

'Oh really? Isn't this the second time I've saved you from a disaster?'

Lillian rolled her eyes and brushed past him on the way to the slope.

'Whatever…' She mumbled.

'This is also the second time you've delayed in thanking me!' He called after her. Cam had a stubborn nature to match hers, and as shy as he sometimes could be he was never satisfied until he got the last word.

Lillian paused and turned briefly, a sarcastic grin plastered over her tired, dirty face.

'Thank you, Cam.' And with that she continued, leaving him smirking to himself.

She reached the slope and tried a few different ways of getting up. Of course she was failing miserably and knew all the while that Cam was watching with that irritatingly smug expression.

Lillian clawed at the muck, her feet searching for foot-holes. She was in no way ready to give up…she just maybe needed a little help.

And as the thought crossed her mind a pair of hands landed on her waist from behind. Her body froze and her cheeks grew progressively warmer.

'Jump on three.' He said softly, and without questioning she did so. He boosted her up into reach of the flat ground and from there she managed to scramble on out.

She sat there for a moment whilst trying to catch her breath. She held her hand down to Cam, and not that it was much help to him, he took it appreciatively.

They sat on the bank together for a while. There wasn't much to be said but strangely the silence was comfortable. Then, suddenly, Lillian remembered where she was.

'If someone sees me here they'll hunt me, I'd really better go.'

With a sigh Cam nodded, standing and helping her to her feet.

'Try to stay away from bears, okay? Just stick to your vegetables or whatever.'

Lillian giggled and Cam returned a smile.

'Okay. Thanks for everything Cam.'

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