The bear’s heavy pawsteps grated against the frozen ground, every impact a reminder of its massive strength. Nolan felt his heartbeat spike whenever the beast paused, glancing back as if to check for more food. Each glance sent a spike of panic into his gut.
He tried to calm himself, recalling that the bear had taken fish rather than going straight for his throat. But with no rations left to offer, he couldn’t help imagining the creature’s jaws snapping shut around his flesh. Fear clung to him like a shadow.