Page 13 of Rocky Ride

Growling intensified behind him. When he turned his head for a quick glance and then started to run, they were on him that fast.

Working as a team, the three big wolves took him down and tore at his clothes. The growling and snarling was close to deafening. Trying to fight the three of them off was a losing battle.

Travis’ main fight was with the leader. That big boy was trying to clamp his jaws around Travis’ neck and finish him.

One wolf sunk sharp teeth into his leg and made him holler out loud in pain. Another had him by the arm trying to drag him off into the trees.

I’m a goner. I can’t get up to run.

Hot, wet blood soaked his leg. Couldn’t see it, but he could feel it and the blackness coming on confirmed how much blood he’d lost already.

If he gave in and lost consciousness, the wolves would zero in for the kill. He had to keep fighting them off for as long as he could.

Keep it together. Don’t pass out.

A deep growl not far away scattered the pack and they were gone as quickly as they’d come. Disappeared into the trees like magic.

Travis figured the wolves traded him in for a bear. The dogs still weren’t back. Fantastic.

“Wolves get you, buddy? What are you thinking? Ain’t you got a gun?”

Travis figured he must be dreaming. Nobody lived on this side of the mountain except him. His was the only cabin. Not a single soul would be passing by. It wasn’t possible.

Through cloudy, semi-conscious eyes, he glanced up to see who was talking to him and thought it might be a girl. Kind of a mountain girl in a parka and wool cap.

Big brown bear on a leash right beside her. Growling. Kind of swaying back and forth, one paw to the other. Back and forth. Back and forth. Black bear eyes focused on him.

For sure I’m dreaming.

Fuck.

“Come on, buddy. It’s time to get you into your cabin. Your leg is bleeding pretty bad.”

Travis struggled to sit up and the girl grabbed him under the arms and hauled him to his feet. He stood on the one good leg and tipped sideways. Couldn’t stand upright on his own.

Dizzy as an old coot, he watched the bear walk away dragging his leash.

“Don’t go far, Teddy,” hollered the girl. She hunkered down and half-dragged Travis through the deep snow to the back door of the cabin.

“Where’d you come from?” Travis mumbled, his voice barely audible.

“Up higher.” She opened the door, pushed it wide so she could get him through the opening. Mule-kicked it backwards with her boot to close it once they were inside.

Slam.

“Got a name?”

She flopped him sideways onto his bed and he closed his eyes so thankful he’d made it that far.

“Don’t need a name. Only me and Ted up there.”

“Right. You must’ve had a name once.” His breathing was ragged, and the words came out all jumbled in a search for enough oxygen to keep going.

“Used to be Sunday. Back in the day.”

“In the day? You don’t even look thirty, for chrissakes.”

“Feel old.”

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