Ryker
The morning air was brisk, the kind that made you wish you’d worn an extra layer. I zipped my jacket tighter, scanning the horizon before heading to the Jeep. Lily stood in the doorway, wrapped in her unicorn blanket, an amused expression on her face.
"Going for the rugged look?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Always," I said, grinning. "You’ll be okay while I head out to get supplies? I’ll be back in an hour. Two tops.”
We had already had the talk as to why it would be best if she stayed behind. She nodded, but her eyes said otherwise.
“Think you’ll survive without me?"
She pretended to consider. "I’ll try. But if you’re not back by lunch, I can’t guarantee there’ll be any chocolate left."
I saluted, climbing into the Jeep. "I’ll stock up," I promised, pulling out of the driveway and onto the narrow forest road.
The closest town was forty minutes away, a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of place with a general store and not much else. It was the perfect spot to resupply without drawing too much attention.
The drive was quiet, the woods stretching endlessly on either side. I kept my senses sharp, half expecting a black SUV to come barreling out of nowhere. But the road remained empty, and I reached the town without seeing a single car.
Inside the general store, I grabbed the essentials: canned goods, instant coffee, and enough chocolate to keep Lily happy through a small apocalypse. At the last minute, I threw in a few fishing lures; maybe I’d teach her how to cast a line if things stayed quiet.
The old man behind the counter squinted at me as he rang up the items, his fingers working slowly over the keys. "Not many folks out this way," he said, his voice gravelly. "You new around here?"
"Just passing through," I replied, keeping my tone casual.
He nodded, though suspicion lingered in his gaze. "Be careful up in those woods. The bears have been hungry this year."
"Thanks for the warning." I forced a smile, handing him cash and taking the bags.
I peeled out of the parking lot, the clerks warning of bears, and here I’d just left Lily to fend for herself. Thankfully, no cops were to be seen as I made the trip back in less than twenty minutes.
As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed something was off. The cabin door was ajar, hanging crooked on its hinges. My heart thudded in my chest.
"Lily!" I called out, shoving the Jeep’s door open and racing inside.
A deep, throaty growl was the first thing I noticed. I stopped in my tracks, surveying the situation. Lily was cornered, with her cat positioned protectively in front of her as a huge bear towered in the middle of the room. It swiped at the air, toppling the small table and causing construction paper to scatter like autumn leaves.
"Ryker!" Lily’s voice was panicked, her gaze darting between me and the bear as she snatched up a hissing Mabel to her chest.
The bear turned, fixing me with small, dark eyes. It huffed, lowering its head and charging.
"Take the cat and get to the bathroom!" I shouted, grabbing the first thing I could—a cast iron frying pan—and wielding it like a weapon.
Lily bolted, the bear’s attention split between us. It swiped at me, claws raking the air where I’d been a split-second before.
I swung the pan, connecting with a hollow thud. The bear reared back, more annoyed than injured. It roared a sound that shook the cabin walls.
"Stay in there!" I yelled as Lily peeked out from the bathroom door. "I’ve got this."
The bear lunged again, its massive bulk sending the couch skidding across the floor. I sidestepped, adrenaline making everything sharp and clear.
"Come on, you big bastard," I muttered, beckoning him with my one hand as I gripped the pan tighter in the other. "Let’s see what you’ve got."
It charged once more, but this time I was ready. I swung hard, putting everything I had into the blow. The pan rang out like a bell, and the bear staggered, disoriented.
"Lily, now!" I shouted. "Get outside!"
She hesitated, then made a break for it, slipping past the bear and through the door. I followed, heart pounding, as the bear shook its massive head and started after us.
