He called her name, softly at first, then louder. “Nicole! Over here!” He stepped away from the pit, but every movement felt risky. The bear tensed, shifting its powerful body as if ready to defend itself—or something else.
For a moment, Mike wondered if he was wrong about the creature’s intentions. Maybe leading him here had been a coincidence, a fluke of curiosity. His pulse raced as he glanced between the shadows and the massive shape beside him.