Page 8 of Kiss Me Kate

I avoid my mother's piercing stare, trying to block out her words as I fold the jumbled clothes and place them neatly on my dresser. "Calvin's apology changes nothing. And just so you know, I haven't forgiven him. There's no point in seeking revenge when he's too self-centered to even notice." With a deep exhale, I lift my head to meet my mother's eyes. "Silas should have told me the whole truth and fought harder to keep me. I loved him with all my heart, Mama. We were supposed to marry and have babies, and he threw it all away. I'd chased after him for years, hoping and longing for his attention and just when everything felt perfect, he broke my heart!" Frustrated, I throw my arms up and stomp into the bathroom, praying that my mother stays put and doesn’t follow me. Why does everyone seem to forget that man shattered my heart into a million pieces?

"Katherine Eleanor Benson, you get your stubborn butt back into that messy room and pack your things for the cabin. I won't tolerate any more sass, young lady. We are leaving in thirty minutes and by the grace of God, we will have a glorious time!" The sound of Mom's foot stomping echoes through the hallway as she points her finger at me, her determined expression bringing me to Jesus.

“Fine! But we better not run into Silas or I’m going to pitch the biggest fit you’ve ever seen,” I mutter, pouting as I shuffle my feet towards my room. There’s little chance of running into him in such a remote place. His granddad’s farm is on the other side of the hills, but I believe there’s enough space to keep the next few days Silas-free. At least, Mama better hope so.

“You’ve got me shaking in my flip-flops,” Mama scoffs, rolling her eyes and descending the stairs with exaggerated steps. She mimics my voice and mocks me mercilessly. “Get moving, Katie. You’re going to have fun if it kills you.”

Chapter 9

Kate

Why did I delude myself into thinking that a leisurely stroll alone would be a good idea? My sense of direction has always been comparable to that of a drunken and blind man, yet here I am, summoning the courage to embark on a solo adventure just to prove a point to my mother. Perhaps she's right about my stubbornness leading to my downfall. What made me believe that I could navigate through this without getting hopelessly lost? It's like trying to find my way out of a maze blindfolded, with no clue where the exit is.

As exhaustion sets in and my feet begin to ache, I cast my gaze over the landscape for any sign that I am on the right path. But the trees and underbrush all look the same— a tangled mess of greens and browns. I can't help but blame myself for this predicament. It's been hours since I left the cabin, storming out in a fit of frustration. Normally, my mother would be sending out a search party by now, but I fear I’ve pushed her patience too far with my attitude.

As the sun begins to dip lower on the horizon, casting long shadows through the thickening forest, panic starts to set in. I know I won't make it back to the safety of our cabin before darkness falls. And in these woods, who knows what creatures lurk in the shadows? Fear creeps up my spine as I quicken my pace, desperate to find my way back to Aunt Jane’s cabin.

Moving forward, the sound of leaves crunching under my feet blends with the faint noises of the forest stirring as day turns to night. It's unsettling. Anxiety builds inside me, but I suppress it, determined to reach the cabin. I can hear my father’s voice in my mind, scolding me for not bringing a map and compass. When I finally make it back to civilization, I'll have to keep that little mistake to myself or else I’ll be subjected to his cautionary lectures for years on end.

Panic rises with every passing minute. I focus on the dimming light filtering through the trees, searching for any familiar landmark that could guide me back. But despite my valiant efforts, the forest seems to stretch endlessly in all directions, swallowing me whole in a maze of shadows.

Suddenly, a glint of something metallic catches my eye amidst the undergrowth. Curiosity piqued, I veer off course and approach the object cautiously. As I draw closer, I realize it’s a weathered sign half-buried in the dirt, its words barely visible but still legible: “Beware of Black Bears, Coyotes and Cougars.”

A chill runs down my spine as I glance over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of movement in the bushes. The trees tower above me, their twisted limbs casting sinister shadows on the forest floor as the sun sinks below the horizon. Every rustle of leaves, every gust of wind through the branches, sends a shudder through my body. Why didn't I just go for a swim in the lake instead?

Another noise, and my measured gait turns into a gallop. The farther I travel, the more I’m sure I’m certain I’m movingaway from the cabin rather than towards it, but there’s nowhere else to go. My gaze shifts from side to side as birds scatter through the branches above me. Crickets cease their incessant chirping, and the forest becomes eerily silent. Although I can’t see anything in the shadows, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not alone.

My eyes widen with fear. “Is someone there? Mom?” I quietly turn to look behind me, focusing on the spaces between the trees as I search for the source. “Aunt Jane?”

I narrow my gaze, struggling to focus on the sound. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I finally catch a glimpse of movement near the base of a tall evergreen tree. A shadowy figure emerges, creeping slowly and deliberately towards me. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize it’s not human—its movements are slow and clumsy, and its silhouette is much too large for a man. Panic grips me, and I fight the urge to scream as the creature draws closer.

My jaw tightens as I fight to keep my teeth from chattering. I reach for the small knife hidden in my belt, and ready myself in a defensive stance. I've never thought of myself as brave, but these dire circumstances have pushed me to find my inner courage.

I hold my breath, waiting for the lurking animal to make its move. Suddenly, it comes into view—a towering bear, standing tall and turning its large head as if examining me. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize the potential danger of this encounter. Is the bear afraid of me or hungry? Either way, this situation is unlikely to have a positive outcome.

“Don’t move,” I whisper to myself, my voice trembling with fear. “You can’t fight this kind of bear.Don’t you remember that saying?If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown, lie down.Crap.How am I supposed to fight a bear?”

My body trembles in terror as the bear's piercing gaze meets mine. Despite my efforts to blend into the surrounding trees,the massive animal remains unfazed. I’m frozen in place, unable to move a muscle as we stand off against each other. The air is thick with tension and eerie silence surrounds us. Desperately, I slowly crouch and inch forward, hoping that the brush beneath me will provide some cover from the bear's view.

In just a matter of seconds, the bear charges towards me and unleashes a deafening roar that fills me with dread. My grip on my knife loosens and it falls to the ground next to me. I am paralyzed with fear, unable to move as the bear lets out another intimidating growl and directs its focus at me. Any bravery I had mustered quickly fades away. I am no hero.

I struggle to get up from the wet ground, my mind riddled with fear as I force myself forward. Ignoring which way I'm heading, I sprint deeper into the thick forest, branches and brush tearing at my clothes and leaving cuts on my skin. Heavy footsteps draw closer, and a low growl vibrates in my chest. I scan the area in front of me, spot a fallen tree nearby, and dash towards it, hoping to use it as a barrier between the animal and me.

Adrenaline courses through my veins, sharpening my senses. I fling myself into a hollow tree trunk, praying I don’t land on a nest of spiders. The bear bursts into view and the ground trembles beneath its weight, its roar reverberating through the forest. I press my back against the rough bark, my breaths shallow and rapid, as I desperately try to be as quiet as humanly possible.

I hold my breath, determined to stay motionless and quiet as the bear sniffs the air, searching for any trace of my presence. Every second feels like an eternity as I remain locked in a tense standoff, praying that the bear will lose interest and move on.My heart pounds relentlessly in my chest, putting me at risk of exposure with its loud thumps.

Time seems to slow down as the standoff continues, the tension in the air almost suffocating. Just when I'm about to lose hope, a new sound echoes through the area— a shrill noise. In an instant, something pierces through the top of the trunk above my head, shattering the wood into pieces. Splinters fall around me as I instinctively crouch, my heart racing in my chest. Someone is approaching with a gun. Will they be more dangerous than the bear?

Chapter 10

Silas

Whenever a calf goes missing, it's always best to err on the side of caution. Buddy may be old enough to know better, but he’s always had a mischievous streak. It's possible that he chased after some leaves in the wind and got lost in the dense woods, east of the ranch. Normally, I’d have faith in his ability to find his way back home, but there are two menacing black bears nearby that would likely see him as a tasty meal.

Worried about his long absence and believing the worst, I grab my rifle and set out into the woods, the damp leaves cushioning my every step. The sun has begun to set, painting the trees in hues of gold and crimson. If I wasn’t in such a rush, I might take time to admire the sight. I love these woods and have been coming here since I was old enough to hunt with my grandfather. Time has done little to diminish their beauty.

I shout for Buddy, but my voice is lost in the vast expanse of the forest. I pray that he hasn't been spotted by predators. Buddy is a gentle calf and my cousin Cyrus's favorite. He's beenpampered since birth and wouldn't have a clue what to do if he came across a bear or mountain lion.

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