Across the Lake
Chapter 16: The Bear
...
The next day, at around 10:25, I finished drying off after a long cold shower. It was going to be a super hot and humid day today, and I didn't want to die of heatstroke in this non AC cabin. The water felt so good on my scratches and bruises as they gradually healed. My wounds had scabbed over, and I didn't need to wear bandages anymore. My ankle had healed so I didn't limp.
I was just starting to slip my clothes on when I heard a knock on the front door. I quickened my pace, slipping on a tank top and comfy shorts before racing towards the front door and opening it. In the back of my head, I secretly hoped it was Jason. When I opened the door, to my slight disappointment, it was the sheriff. Sheriff Jackson.
Sheriff Jackson smiled at me, his eyes shining. "Hey! How's it going? Thought I'd check in on you. You haven't been radioing me back," he said. Realization hit me. Oh shit! The walkie talkie. The walkie talkie to contact the sheriff...the walkie talkie that's in the master bedroom...with the book.
I cursed under my breath, gently hitting my head against the pine doorway. "I'm sorry. I've been mostly hanging downstairs or outside. I don't hear it. It's upstairs in the Master bedroom," I admitted. Not a lie, but I was not going to tell the young sheriff that there was a demon possessed book upstairs that was killing my electricity and causing little fires whenever it got upset.
Sheriff Jackson nodded. "Oh ok, not a problem...but, I'd feel a lot better if you had it within reach at all times. You never know what might happen out here. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you... and I could've been there to save you," Sheriff Jackson admitted, causing my face to grow warm.
Sheriff Jackson rubbed the back of his head and looked down at the ground as if he saw something interesting. "Anyway, um, how's the Jason information coming along? Find anything interesting at the library? Any books on him?" he asked, looking back up at me.
My eyes widened when something clicked in my head. The library. I could return the book back where I found it. Amongst all the candles and holy stuff. That must have kept it contained. It was my turn to look down at the ground and pretend to see something interesting. "No, not really. I couldn't really find anything on him at the library. Mainly because the librarian is scary and didn't seem to like me when I came in," I admitted, causing Sheriff Jackson to laugh.
"Ha ha, yeah... Don't feel too bad. Ms. Albertine doesn't like anyone. I think she's been around since the town was being built. When I was little, my older brother would joke that she was alive since the dinosaurs, giving them library cards.
I laughed at this. "That sounds very accurate, actually," I said. Sheriff Jackson grinned and nodded his head, and then his smile faded. "Well, I'm sorry that the library was a dead end for you. Maybe no one wrote about him, and it's just stories passed down from generations," he guessed.
I shrugged. "It's okay. It was still nice getting out of the house and being able to see more of the town. It's very nice." Sheriff Jackson was going to say something else, but the radio on his shoulder made a static noise as someone spoke in weird police code. He pressed the button on the side, turning his head to the radio.
"Copy that. On my way. Over," he muttered before turning back to me.
"Duty calls... But, I am also here for a reason, not to take up your time... I wanted to let you know that there has been a bear spotted around your area. I wanted to make sure that you were okay."
My eyes widened in terror. "A bear?" I asked, but then realized I shouldn't be so surprised.
Sheriff Jackson nodded his head. "Yeah, they're common around here. I know you and your dad are from the suburbs, closer to the city; so, I'm guessing you guys have never encountered one before. I thought I'd warn you in person. Just don't leave any food out, stay indoors, and you'll be fine. You are in their home, after all," he pointed out.
I nodded my head, but inside, I was panicking. A bear. Sheriff Jackson was right. I did live near the city; so I was not used to encountering bears. Hearing that there was a bear around felt so surreal. I have never seen one except at a zoo or on the nature channel. A wild bear...roaming around right near my dad's cabin.
"Alright, thank you, Sheriff Jackson. I appreciate it," I told him.
He nodded his head and started to walk back down the wooden porch steps. "Keep your radio close to you!" he reminded me before walking back to his patrol car. I heard the sound of the patrol car's wheels crunching the rocks underneath before heading back on the main road and driving back towards the town.
When he was officially gone, I headed back into the house. It was time to return that blasted book back where I found it. Closing the door behind me, I headed up the wooden stairs to the Master bedroom. I felt like such an idiot for not thinking of it before. I could have just returned the Necronomicon back to its original place. I'm sure it would be a lot happier if it was hiding back behind the library bookshelf again.
I trudged bravely up the rest of the steps, slowing my pace when I got closer to the Master bedroom. I didn't see any small fires or anything weird, so I think it was safe to walk in. Turning to the bookshelf, I grabbed the edge of the bookcase and, with a bit of effort, pushed it aside. The bookcase wobbled, and a few books fell, but other than that, the bookcase moved out of the way. The hideous leathery face of the book appeared, sitting in its nest.
"Time to take you home," I said softly, gently picking it up from its hiding spot, touching it only with my fingertips. Once I had a good hold on it, I headed back down the stairs. Locked the cabin door behind me, walked to my car, and drove all the way to the library. The Necronomicon sat in the passenger side of my car. I clicked the seatbelt for it, but the seatbelt immediately burst into flames after a few seconds down the road. I sighed heavily.
"Alright. Don't be safe. If I suddenly have to stop, you'll be going through the windshield," I muttered to it. Surprisingly, it stayed put, even when I made hairpin turns, maneuvered around a deer corpse in the middle of the road, or had to stop at a stop sign.
After a few more stop signs and dead animals, I made it to the parking lot of the library. Putting the car into park, I got out and grabbed my messenger bag before turning to the book. "Don't burn my messenger bag," I warned it as I gently stuffed it into the bag. Thankfully, it didn't, but it did get really warm against my hip as I walked up the steps to the library.
The library was cold and empty as it was when I first came in here a few days ago. The old librarian, now known as Ms. Albertine, glared at me through her horn rimmed glasses.
"You're back," she said with a bit of venom in her voice. I ignored her as I made my to the back of the library. Behind me, I could hear her calling me "ungrateful little..." then fading away as I went further and further away from her.
Eventually, I found the secret place.
I pulled the Necronomicon out of my messenger bag. I looked down at its hideous face. "Well...it's been...it's been something," I said as I placed it back in its home. It just stared at me. I couldn't tell if it was happy or mad cuz it's face was frozen in that screaming agonizing state. I was just glad to be rid of it.
After placing the Necronomicon back in its original home amongst the dripping candles, and scooting the bookshelf back, I decided to check out the books here. I had been so distracted lately that I wanted to get back into reading. I personally liked the Fantasy and Sci Fi books and occasionally a good horror book, but maybe I should avoid horror at the moment. I was already living in my own horror story. After a while of looking, my mind wandered and began to think about Jason. Wishing that there was a book based on his story, I wandered further down one of the dusty aisles before finding my way along the language section. Something clicked in my head and I remembered that I was already planning coming back here for a specific book. My eyes scanned the shelves till I found what I was looking for. The title immediately caught my eye as I read along its spine.
American Sign Language for Idiots like You.
Charming.
I flipped through it a couple of times, thinking about all the conversations Jason and I could finally have. My heart fluttered in my chest thinking of that. I closed the book and stared at the glossy cover before deciding that I wanted to check it out from the library. I walked all the way back up to the front desk with the book in my arms. Mrs. Albertine was not happy to see me again even though I was checking out a book from her library.
"You need a library card to check out that book," she said in a sharp tone.
"Okay, could I please have a library card?" I asked her. She huffed as if I were asking her to do a difficult task. She pulled a drawer open, reached in, and then tossed a plastic library card towards me. I grabbed it and then handed it back to her.
"I'd like to check out this book, please," I repeated. The ancient librarian sneered and grabbed the book with her spidery hands.
"Thank you, Ms. Albertine," I said to her. She didn't seem phased by the fact that I suddenly knew her name. She didn't even wear a nametag. I guess people around here knew each other. It was bound to eventually be known to the newcomers that everyone's names were in this small town. She scanned the barcode on the back of the book and shoved it back into my hands.
"Return it in two weeks," she said bitterly.
I silently nodded my head and left the library.
...
I drove back up the long, lonely road back up to the cabin. The radio was playing some rock and roll song before going to static. I finally turned it off and thought about Jason. All of those moments he had been close to me. His arms wrapped around my waist. Or when his forehead brushed against mine. His hazel eyes. Why was I feeling this way towards him all the sudden? I couldn't be having feelings for him? The idea made me flinch. I shook my head.
No. He's just a good friend. It wouldn't work out anyway. I had a life back in the city...
Wait...no...
Mom and Rod...
I felt a twinge of pain in my chest. Once the summer was over...I would be heading back home, living with my mom and Rod. I would try to find a job. No one would want me because I had a degree in art. I would eventually find a part time job, most likely flipping burgers. Rod would be my manager, telling me what to do, and making me pick up after him. At work and at home.
No. No! Stop it! Stop spiraling! Stop future tripping! That's not going to happen! The voice screamed in my head. My anxiety spiked. But what if it does? What if that's exactly how it happens? We would never get away from Rod! Mom would never listen to me! I would be trapped in my own hell-!
Hooooooooonnnnnnnnkkkkk!
A semi truck was coming straight for me!
"Oh shit!" I screamed before swerving back into my correct lane. The truck driver flipped me off as he drove past me. I pulled over to the side of the road near a few trees and took a minute to calm down. My heart was hammering wildly in my chest. I did a few breathing techniques: Breathing in for four seconds, holding it for four seconds, breathing out for four seconds, and repeating the process. While I did that, I tried distracting myself from the near death encounter. Naming all the colors in my paint box.
Phthalo Blue
Crimson Red
Daffodil Yellow
Mars Black
Titanium White
Saffron yellow
Cyan Blue
Umber Brown
Burnt Umber
Light Blue...did I have light blue? I thought I ran out of it when I was painting the lake. I'll have to check once I get home. Hopefully the town sells paint at the general store or something.
Once I was able to calm myself down. I turned the keys into the ignition, bringing the car back to life. The radio came on and began to play static again, but I left it on, it drowned out the anxiety voices in my head from saying anything else that would cause me to future trip or spiral again. I looked before getting back on the road and heading the rest of my way back to the cabin.
...
Once I got back, I saw something round and black near the side of my dad's cabin. I stepped on the brakes, the wheels grinding against the dirt and rocks when I got a better look at the creature. A huge furry face, round ears, and massive paws with claws the size of crayons.
The blood drained right out of my face.
Oh shit. The bear was here. I was so focused on putting the Necronomicon back in the library that I forgot to bring the trashcans inside the cabin. It was a black bear. It looked like it had been through hard times. It had a scar running down one eye, which was milky white, and other pink and white scars decorated all over its body. It was the biggest bear I had ever seen. Its head was in one of the trashcans. Completely distracted by the scraps of food I had thrown away from the day before.
I sat there in my car, the blood rushing loudly in my ears like a waterfall. What do I do? Do I just sit here in my car and wait till it saw me? What if it could smell me? It looked ginormous! And could easily tear into my car if it wanted to. Should I just leave and wait in the town? I was low on gas, I forgot to fill up while I was in town. My dad had extra gasoline for the generator...
Inside the house.
The sheriff! I could contact Jackso-
The walkie talkie was inside the house.
I leaned against the driver's seat and sighed in frustration. I was a sitting duck. I was going to have to wait till the bear left, or noticed I was in the car and try to get me out. I looked over to the cabin. The porch was only twenty feet away. I had my keys in my hand. The bear was distracted. I could just quickly run up the porch steps, lock the door behind me, and then get the walkie talkie and contact the sheriff. Easy.
My eyes stayed glued on the distracted black bear as I quietly clicked my seatbelt off, adjusted the messenger bag on my shoulder, and gently opened the driver door. The bear lifted its massive head out of the trashcan, causing it to tip over, making a loud crashing sound. I froze in my tracks. The black bear sniffed out the empty peanut butter jar and held it in its massive paws. It ripped the lid off like it was made of paper and began using its long tongue to get inside the jar, lapping up the little remains of the peanut butter.
I waited till it turned back to look inside the sideways trashcan before getting completely out of my car and ducking behind the hood. The porch was right there. I could make a run for it. The bear wont see me with its head in the trashcan. I waited till its head disappeared completely and bolted. The bear made a growl noise, causing goosebumps to race up my arms. It turned its head and saw me running. It stood up on all fours and chased after me. My body screamed in terror.
What do I do?! Do I keep running? It'll outrun me and break down the door! Play dead? Do I play dead? Do I act big? Shit! Shit! Shit!
I decided to keep running, only until I felt its teeth clamp at my messenger bag. My whole body froze in fear when I felt my body get jerked backwards and fell on my ass, inches away from the porch stairs. The black bear made heavy grunting noises behind me. I turned my head, my whole body shaking being so close to a huge predator.
The black bear sniffed my contents, sticking its big black nose into the bag. All the contents poured out of it. The ASL book, my sketchbook, pencils and pens, an eraser. The bear found a few candy bars in my messenger bag, that I had completely forgotten were in there. The bear snapped them up and chewed them happily. Wrapper and all.
While it was chewing, I forced myself to move towards the porch. I began to crawl slowly on all fours towards the steps, but didn't get far when the bear turned its one black eye and one milky white eye to me. I froze up once more, holding my breath in the process. Still as a statue.
The big black bear came up to me, sniffing me. I could feel its hot breath wafting over me. Then, it rose up on its back legs. It stood around at about eight feet high. Alarm bells rang in my head. This wasn't good! If they go up on their hind legs, it means they feel threatened! Oh god! Oh god! I'm dead! I whimpered, squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for the end.
Suddenly, I heard a loud roar followed by heavy footsteps. I opened my eyes and found myself staring at Jason with his arms around the bears thick neck. The bear grunted and threw its head back, causing them both to fall backwards. Once Jason let go, the bear lunged at him with its massive paws.
Jason grabbed the bears wrists before falling backwards and flipping the bear over his body. The bear landed on the other side of Jason, then got up and came at him again. I stared in awe at Jason as he fought the bear. He saved me. Jason saved me from being eaten by the bear! My heart fluttered in joy and excitement. He was always there for me when I needed it.
The two massive beings wrestled in the dirt, rolling around and then swiping at each other. I just sat there, watching the two fight. After a while of watching the two kick up dirt and roll around and lock arms or necks...I began to realize something. Jason hadn't taken out his machete. I know he was against killing animals...but, wasn't this bear a threat? Also...this bear had not used its claws or teeth on Jason, even when it had a chance when Jason's arm got in front of its snout. No blood was being spilled. This wasn't a battle to the death. Then it finally dawned on me
They were play fighting.
Jason and the bear were breathing heavily and slowing down in their wrestling. Jason's eyes shined from behind his mask as he wrapped his thick arms around the bear's neck. Embracing it. The scarred up black bear rubbed its massive head against Jason's making a happy roar noise. I got up where I sat and stared at the two with confusion.
So much for a rescue. Were these two best buds?
Jason scratched the bear around the ears and neck as if it were a giant puppy. The bear growled happily and then placed its big paw over Jason's mask, and playfully shoved him. Yeah. They were best buds. Seeing Jason with the bear reminded me when he was feeding the young female deer. Jason really was a Disney princess. Friends to all wild animals.
Jason finally turned to me, realizing that I was there and waved to me with his leather gloved hand. I awkwardly waved back. "Erm...hi Jason...uh...Who's your friend?" I asked, trying to sound calm and casual while staring at the huge bear.
Jason began to spell out letters with his hand.
T...E...D...D...Y...
Teddy
"Teddy," I said. The black bear, now named Teddy, lifted its head up and grunted, causing me to flinch. A big scary bear named Teddy...Appropriate. The bear playfully nibbled on the edge of Jason's mask. The two were covered in layers of dirt from their wrestling. Jason motioned for me to come closer to him and Teddy. I shook my head.
"I'm ok standing right here," I told him, forcing a smile.
Jason walked up to me and gently took my hand in his while placing the other hand around my shoulder. He turned to look at the bear. Teddy the Black Bear came lumbering over to us on all four of its wide, plate size paws. I took a step back, but felt Jason gently squeeze my hand, assuring me that it was ok. I looked up at him. His eyes shined down at me. He wanted to introduce me to his bear friend.
The bear's head was inches from me, and was almost as tall as me just on all fours. It...er...Teddy sniffed my neck. Jason gently took my hand he was holding, and stretched it out towards the top of Teddy's head. Before I could protest, my hand sunk into the thick hair of the bear's head, in between the round ears. The hair was surprisingly soft and super thick.
Oh my god, I'm actually petting a bear.
My fingers disappeared easily into the black hair. I wondered how Teddy was able to withstand the heat here with all this fur. Teddy sniffed me some more, then stopped when he was convinced that I wasn't a threat. He leaned into me like a giant puppy, nearly knocking me over. I fell backwards into Jason's chest, where he grabbed the sides of my arms to keep me steady. I blushed in embarrassment.
"N-nice to m-meet you, T-Teddy," my voice stuttering, my hand still on Teddy's head.
Teddy licked my arm, his one good eye shining.
...