The Bear
Alone with a bear in the woods
For the victims of bear attacks.
The dark evergreen pressed against her back. She could feel the sharpness of the bark penetrate through her jacket. She winced but held the shriek inside. This time, being heard could cost her life. She swallowed and took a deep breath, being as quiet as possible.
Could the bear climb? She slowly peaked behind to see. Unable to make out its color, she decided to take her chance. Above her, a thick branch hung. From there, it looked to be an easy climb up. She jumped up to grab it. Adrenaline kicked in as she started to pull herself up above the branch.
A sharp pain erupted from her left ankle. She screamed, looking down to see her ankle being gnawed. The bear’s dark blue eyes lit up under the moonlight, staring deeply into hers. The bear’s eyes burned red. Either out of pure rage or it had succumbed to darkness. Regardless, it found her.
As the blood gushed from her ankle, she continued to pull herself up, trying her best to ignore the pain. But it was too late. The bear's strength was no match for her. In only a matter of moments, the bear brought both her and the branch down.
The branch hit her on the head, but luckily, she remained conscious. She quickly sat up now below the bear. It moved closer, licking its lips. Each growl grew deeper than the one before.
For the first time in a long time, she found herself praying. But what do I pray? She thought to herself. Most would pray to survive an encounter such as this, but the idea of surviving was more terrifying. Do I want to survive after being devoured?
But before she could say amen, her arm reached for the fallen branch without even a thought. She shoved the sharp branch into the bear’s stomach. It growled and moved back on its hind legs.
Stunned at her own use of adrenaline, she pounded her leg with her fist, breaking her out of the trance.
The hunt was back on.
She wasn’t sure how big the forest was. It was too dark to see. Her memory was blurred as she tried to remember the way out. Where was the nearest city? Nearest road? Knowing how late it was, the reality of someone being awake at this time of night was unlikely. Panic began to set.
Her breath became heavy as she gripped her chest. It was then the sharp pain from her ankle burst. She almost forgot. Quickly, she took off her shirt and ripped it. It was already torn up earlier from the bear, so this made it easier to tear apart. She wrapped it around her ankle as best she could.
The sounds of thuds echoed in the distance.
She looked around again. Unable to see a way out.
“Somebody… Please help.” She whispered.
She looked for another tree that would be easy to climb, but most of them were with young branches that would break easily.
As the bear grew closer, she tried to find a place to hide. There were a few bushes she could hopefully hide in. It being so dark would finally be her advantage. She moved quickly behind a few trees where a large bush lay between them all. She knelt down, scrapping her legs on twigs and sticks. That’s when she felt the rock. Her hand fit perfectly around it. She held it close, knowing it was all she had to defend herself.
As if time stood still, she waited. She didn’t even breathe. She could feel her body wanting to shake, but she held it in as much as she could. She wasn’t sure if the shakes were from the cold or the fear. Probably both. It didn’t matter. She needed to focus.
The sound of panting drew closer. She could hear her heart beating faster with each step that was approaching.
Focus. You can do this.
The bear stopped. It looked around, its dark blue eyes lit up the night. They still burned with a fiery red. Although she was well hidden, she could still see the bear through the bush. It paced back and forth.
It’s now or never. She told herself. But fear kept her crippled.
Her eyes now closed, she held the rock close to her chest.
Why can’t I move? She thought. Move. Move or you die.
She wasn’t sure how, nor could she properly explain the sensation that overcame her. As the bear’s eyes burned red, so did hers.
Jumping out from below, she leaped and smacked the bear repeatedly with the rock in hand. The bear collapsed to the ground. Her body shook, she towered above the bear.
Her brain told her to run, but her body wouldn’t listen. Once again, frozen. Trapped in a battle she knew she could not win.
The bear laid there, still breathing. It was not unconscious but struggled to stay awake. It grumbled, unable to get to its feet.
Finish the job. A dark voice cried from inside her. I can’t… The battle between body and soul was one she did not want to partake in.
She dropped the rock and backed up. Running was her best option. As she prepared to turn around, she tripped on a large tree root that stuck out from the ground. Falling face first, she smashed her face against the same rock she used to protect herself.
There was no getting to her feet as she brought herself to consciousness. Standing over her was the bear, this time on all fours.
As badly as she wanted to scream, she was too weak. She lay there silently screaming over and over again as the bear growled angrily. She could feel the heat coming off of the bear. Its rancid breath filled her nostrils. As much as she gagged, she could not work up the strength to vomit at the smell that lingered permanently within her.
Stop struggling and it will hurt less. Was the last thing she thought before it all went black.
—
She never thought she’d have to face the bear again. Yet, there she was making eye contact with the animal that put her there.
“Just look at me,” her lawyer said getting in front of the bear's view.
She nodded, but still could feel the ravenous glare coming from the defense stand.
The trial lasted longer than intended. Months turned into a year, and yet; the bear was still roaming free, prowling on other victims that stood in its path. She would share her testimony repeatedly. Once to the police, twice to the detectives, again to the doctors, and now she had to share with a group of anonymous faces that would decide if her story was true or not.
Her story was attacked ruthlessly by the defense. It brought forth a pain she had never felt before. She could sense herself closing up, unable to continue. Yet the lawyer would continue to berate her character.
“Objection, your honor,” her lawyer would say, only to be followed with a harsh “overruled.”
All the while, the bear would be snickering.
—
After the verdict was read, she was escorted with her lawyer outside of the courtroom. She passed the faces of many she did not know. Other women who sat there, making eye contact with her. A sad smile was painted on their faces. They even gave her a subtle head nod of solidarity.
The bear was escorted away, handcuffs behind its back. She quickly turned to face the audience. She didn’t want to see the bear again, not until it was behind bars.
“The bear will face up to three years. But chances are, it will be out in two,” her council said.
“But why? I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t they lock the bear up forever after what it did to me?”, she asked.
Her lawyer took a deep breath, troubled by what he was about to say. “Some of the jury thought you were being irresponsible. Having a few drinks, then walking alone through the woods at night. The jury felt the bear was put in a difficult position.”
It felt like a freefall. Her stomach sunk to the pit of her stomach, creating a paralyzing feeling. It was an unfortunate feeling she had felt before. She looked over at the bear's lawyer. He smiled at the cameras that interviewed him. He talked about appealing in hopes that true justice would be served.
The trees of the forest once again surrounded her. She felt her body curdle and the pain from her ankle erupted again. There she stood. Alone in the forest. Covered head to toe in his pleasure. She felt cold, but was it from the rain that poured or from the pure shock of it all? She didn’t know.
She walked through the forest. Stuck between her past and future, unable to see past the next tree in front of her. Despite the support and loved ones that surrounded her, she was alone, unable to leave the forest she now calls home.
Copyright © 2024 Jessica Christine Canode
All rights reserved to Jess Christine.
