Page 4 of Clause & Effect
Somehow the bear seems to pick up speed. Even if I wanted, I can’t record what’s happening on my iPhone. I’m too riveted. Too in the moment.
Too ready to see what in God’s name is about to happen in real time.
Will they be eaten alive right before our eyes? The probability is high. The odds are definitely not in their favor. Talk about a messed-up winter’s coming version of the Hunger Games.
There’s a good chance this trip might take a turn for the worse in about thirty seconds.
“I hope they’re carrying,” I whisper under my breath to Grace.
She can’t answer me.
In fact, the silence in our buggy is ominous. We’re all watching to see what happens. The men start running, getting closer to our buggy— along with the polar bear of course.
“Should we open the door for them?” Henry, Devon’s best friend asks in that polite English way that’s way too slow and unrushed for the current circumstances. Um, no, sir, please thou shalst not open the damn door for them lest we become supper!
His eyes are wide, arms crossed— his bald head has sweat beads forming and dripping down his face.
“Hell no!” I yell out. “Are you crazy?! Are you watching that polar bear?! It’s like gaining speed with every second! I counted.” I didn’t, but he doesn’t know that and it’s the principal of the matter!
“We can’t let them die, Charlie,” Henry whispers back in a very unconvincing voice. I know he silently agrees.
If the door opens what if the polar bear gets inside and kills us all? What then?
“Why not?” I ask the question out loud. “We don’t even know these people, they could be cannibals! By choice!”
All eyes turn to me. Suddenly I’m the asshole, even though I know everyone is thinking the same thing. These people don’t want to die, they’re too rich to die!
Besides, they have much more to live for than me. I’m just the one voicing it out loud.
“Holy. Shit.” Devon says out loud, eyes riveted to the scene before us.
Holy shit is right.
One of the men stopped running.
Completely stopped. Has turned and is in real time facing the incoming apex predator like Edward in New Moon facing the Vultori, bet he’s even closing his eyes like it’s about to be finished, he’ll be exposed.
“What the…” someone says, but I’m not sure who because I’m thinking the same thing.
Does this guy have a death wish?
Are we about to watch a polar bear eat a human? Why is nobody else freaking out like I am?
“Grab my phone, babe!” Ellie calls out to her boyfriend. Oh dear God. Here we go.
She’s obviously determined to film this. Why can’t the stupid ones die first?
I step away from the group and move right up to the window and put my hands against the glass and stare out at the scene. I know this sounds crazy, but it’s almost… magical?
I mean, this guy is definitely about to be mauled and eaten by this polar bear, but the way he’s stopped and is staring it down is like…
Legendary?
And then the craziest thing happens.
The polar bear starts to slow down and like a driver pressing down hard on the breaks, the bear literally skids to a complete stop in front of the man.
The bear stands on its feet, rising high and showcasing its enormous height. Honestly, the man doesn’t look much smaller than him which is extremely strange. Just how tall is he? How tall is the bear?
