Page 58 of Bear Strength

He wants me to be sure. He needs me to be sure. If I don’t reply, I know he’s ready to jump in there and break the door down. Maybe it’s a trap. It’s too easy. Is this guy really that stupid?

I look around. My nose high up in the air. All I smell is wet wood and mud. Apple shampoo. A city man’s putrid sweat.

“I only smell the two of them.”

“Then, we waste no time. I say we go in now,” Mason says.

We’re all crouching down, like soldiers in Vietnam. I remember those days well. Squeezing your gun. Hiding in the rice paddies. Wondering if you’ll ever get home. But, I could have died then and there, and I wouldn’t have cared. Now, I’m glad I didn’t.

“I agree,” Wagner whispers. I just nod.

“On my mark,” Mason instructs.

We are all familiar with the drill. We are familiar with it all too well. Our eyes are focused on Mason, his body tensingunder the moonlight. He raises his hand, then pats an invisible shoulder in the air. That’s our cue to go.

Still crouching, we rush in. Mason, Wagner, and then me. A heavy feeling of suspicion grabs my throat. This is too easy. We found them without much effort. And, if it really is only the two of them inside, then we’ll be back home soon, sipping tea and dozing off.

When we barge into the room, we see a seated Danica, her kidnapper standing close to her, his gun pointed right at her head. Mason raises his hand, and we all come to a halt. We can’t risk Danica getting shot. Mason is too far away from the guy to lunge at him. No calculations of velocity and distance could make it a successful endeavor. So, we remain standing where we are.

“And so, the cavalry arrives,” the man chuckles.

“I’ve never seen him before”. The look on Mason and Wagner’s face tells me they haven’t either. But, obviously he knows us.

“I know your names, but I’m not sure who’s who,” he continues.

Danica is breathing heavily. She is pale and weak.

“So, before we continue this little get together, let’s properly introduce ourselves. I’m Russell, but I guess you all know me by name at least. My guess would be you’re Mason, the ring leader.” He stops to point at Mason. None of us nods. But, that doesn’t stop him from continuing. “Wagner and Adrian. The fighter and the smart ass. Just can’t figure out which one’s which.”

He looks like he’s having a good time. I look at Mason. Knowing him, he’s doing his best not to allow himself to transform and tear this man to pieces. We all feel that way. But, it’s too risky.

“Why don’t you put that gun down and we can show you,” Wagner growls.

Russel scoffs. “I guess I have my answer now. But, I’m rude. You’re probably wondering how I tracked her down. How I tracked everyone down, and why I made you all come here.”

“We’re not wondering shit,” Mason hisses, taking a step towards Russel.

“Na-ha-ha,” Russell shakes his head, pressing the gun on Danica’s forehead now. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“You can’t kill us all,” Mason says.

“I can’t, but I can kill her before any of you get to me.”

He’s right. We’re all painfully aware of that fact. It would be easier if he was pointing that gun at any of us. We’d all gladly sacrifice ourselves to keep our brothers alive. But, Danica is too precious to lose.

“I know you’re all dying to see what’ll happen next, so I won’t keep you in anticipation any longer.”

Russell takes out his phone, and makes a quick call. “Now.”

Those words ring in my ears, like a distant echo of some long forgotten order. Who is it addressed to?

“Russ, please, you don’t have to - “

“Shut up!” Russell cuts off Danica faster than a Japanese sword cuts through bodies.

She obviously doesn’t need to be told twice. I look at her again, to make sure she’s not bleeding. Apart from looking like a frightened rabbit who accidentally fell into a fox hole, she seems fine. No cuts or bruises. A silver lining.

Suddenly, we all hear footsteps. We turn to face the door, and what we see there shocks us to the very core.

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