The bear remained, huffing nervously, occasionally clawing at the ground as though urging Mike away from the pit. Every heartbeat hammered the question home: should he ignore the man’s plight or trust the creature’s instincts?
Then came the sharp snap of another branch in the distance. The bear whipped its head around, letting loose a guttural warning that seemed meant for both Mike and the unseen threat beyond the trees. Mike held his breath, sensing the delicate balance between compassion and survival. One misstep could tip the night into real horror—and he had only seconds to decide.