Just like humans, bears don't take highly to people who steal. Especially food. That makes them angry. And hungry. For campers.

RRRAAAAWWWWRRRR!

Even though it was just a few days Winnie had grown exponentially larger and wider. And meaner. The bear was blocking the only clear shot the group had to get into the forest. He was baring his teeth and growling loud enough to drown out the birds. But his eyes were on one thing: the fish.

"Throw it back, throw it back, THROW IT BACK!" Near cried hysterically, waving his arms in a tossing motion toward the river. He had kept Matt sane throughout this entire trip and that wasn't about to be spoiled by him being eaten. "THROW IT BACK!"

The rest of them had backed toward the river so that Matt was the only one standing in the middle of the clearing holding the still wriggling bass. The appearance of the bear had froze him to the spot and he was scared shitless to move. By reflex, he was gripping the fish tighter than letting it go.

Now Matsuda was trying to give him tips. None that were very helpful. "Play dead! He'll leave you alone. Or maybe you could roar back. Yeah, do that! Intimidate him and he'll run away." Seeing that Matt wasn't taking any of his useless tips he switched tactics. "Winnie, I command you not to eat him. Listen to your father!"

Winnie took one look at Matsuda and yawned. He wasn't interested in whatever it was that was yelling at it. He just wanted his damn food back. And the other thing had it. Slowly, Winnie started to stalk toward Matt.

The rest of the group was yelling at Matt to drop the fish and start running. Except for Light. He was scheming again weighing a human life against his own needs. Of course he chose his own needs. "Don't toss it back! Keep it and run into the forest!"

Every paused and stared at Light with narrow stares. L, in his short shorts, skirted the edge of the clearing to where Light was and hoisted him up by the collar of his shirt.

"What the fuck are you saying?!"

"We need to eat something! That's food he's got there. All he has to do is outrun the bear and bring it back around."

"You say that like you're the one who's ass isn't on the menu."

"I'm sure with his fear he'll be able to outsprint it."

"With his fear he's shitting his pants. Stop being an ass."

"You're an ass."

"No, you're an ass."

"You all are ASSES!" Near broke in between the two. "He's gonna get eaten in 15 seconds if we don't do something and fast." He said as he paced the edge of the clearing toward Melo who was closer to the forest. "What about you? Have you figured out anything?"

Mello was studying the encounter with intense concentration. He shot a glance at Near, then at Matt standing frozen with the stolen fish in his hands, then to the angry bear that was going to eat him.

"So? Any ideas? Please tell me you have a good one." Near begged as he saw the bear close the 20 foot gap to 10 feet. "Mello? Say something, dammit!"

"I'm trying to decide whether I can live without Matt at Wammy House for that fish. It's a very complicated decision because I get to eat but I won't have anyone to bully when we get home. Or buy me snacks...but I get to eat now...This is tougher than I thought."

Near groaned is dismay and grabbed at his hair. "Matsuda! Can't believe I'm saying this but please do something or Matt's gonna DIE!"

"Working on it! Just a second, just have to find a bigger stone." Scouring the ground he found a good chunk of rock and hefted it behind his head. "Now for a clear shot." Aiming carefully, he lobbed the rock directly at the back of Matt's head.

The rock made a dull thunking sound and Matt's hands instantly went to his head. "OOOOOWWWW! Was that a rock?! That was a rock! MY GOD IT HURTS!"

Good news: Matt's paralysis was broken.

More good news: He dropped the fish.

Even more good news: The bear has stopped advancing.

Bad news that outweighs the all the good: The fish (still alive) flops back into the river and swims away.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I love making chaos. Wonder if anyone is gonna die?