Dale Thacker Aurthor

Tag: fantasy

  • Chase Season

    Chase Season

              Fall is here now and I’m hearing the traffic going up and down Stone Coal Gap Road, I’m also hearing the dogs barking in the back of the trucks. I know we can’t be crossing the roads like we have been, or the dogs will get our scent and chase us. I still have nightmares of when the hounds almost caught me, I had to go up a tree to keep from being caught, and tore to pieces by the hounds. I’m larger now, and can I fight them off, but with their numbers, they will chase me up a tree, and have me treed. I’m concerned for all my friends and family even Maverick. Afterall he is my blood brother. I guess I’m most concerned for Lucy and James since they live across the road from us. Also, my new blood brother Tom, which also is across the road. I know we can’t check on each other without crossing the road, and leaving scent for the dogs.

              I’m actually thinking that late one night, about slipping across the road, Sophia and Oliver has each other in their den. If I stay with Tom, I can watch over him, also keep an eye on Lucy and James. This is a hard decision but I feel as though I need to tell Sophia and Oliver, that I am moving in with Tom. I hope when doing this, the hounds don’t pick my scent up. While telling Sophia and Oliver, Sophia begins to cry saying we will have an empty nest. Oliver tells her, we knew this day was coming, and Ben is an amazing bear. He always has others bears, in his mind and wants to help them out. Sophia says yeah, I know but it’s going to be hard having an empty nest.

              I Tell Sophia that tonight, well after dark I’ll slip across the road, and go tell Tom my plans, I don’t even know yet, if he will want me to stay with him. But if I’m on that side of road, I can go back and forth between Tom’s and Lucy’s. Sophia gives me her blessing, she said at least it’s just chase season, and not kill season, if the dogs should get on his track. I will just have to sit there until the hunters come, and pull the dogs off the tree, then I can go on my merry way. Speaking of merry I’ve done great with my depression; I haven’t had to use any marijuana. Been a few days since I’ve seen Tom, I hope he is doing well. Sophia says she is going to fix some of her berry cobblers, I can take 2 to lucy and 2 to Tom. She said they almost out of honey to sweeting them. She told me to keep my eyes open for a bee hive.

             Well, it’s a couple hours after dark now, so I head on down the mountain, I cross over the road, and head up to Lucy’s and James’s place. She said she was very surprised seeing me, why am I taking a chance of the hounds getting onto my scent. I tell her I waited until after dark, so the hunters have gone home, and my scent should not be very strong by morning. She is questioning me of my depression, I tell her it has been doing great. I tell her been a few weeks since I have been using any marijuana. I tell her I am still mad at myself, about Luna but at least she is happy, so, I’ve accepted them being mates. Maverick had it so hard so, I’m glad he has her to keep him happy. Then Lucy tells me her and James have been fishing with fishing rods, it is so relaxing. They had gotten them 2 fishing rods, and maybe in the spring, we can go to the pond.  I tell Lucy was great talking to them, but guess he better head on over to Tom’s. She said that can wait it’s been a long time, since they have spent the night together. James said yes, blood brother I miss you. So, I decided to spend the night.

             The next morning, I get up and ready to head on over to Tom’s. Lucy said I can go after breakfast, she been teaching a James to cook, he will fix some deer tenderloins and eggs. We can sit here and catch up on old times. I say well looks like the honeymoon is over, you now have time for me. Not over she says we know we have our lifetime together; family is important, we enjoy everyone when they come and visit. James said breakfast is on and we can dig in. I tell Lucy hey you getting him trained well. I almost forgot, I have 2 berry cobblers that Sophia fixed. I asked Lucy if she have found any bee hives so we can get some honey, we are almost out. Lucy says nope I haven’t seen any hives, but I’ll keep my eyes open.  

                I tell them bye and start the trip to Tom’s; I hadn’t gone anywhere till I hear a truck, right where I crossed the road I hear the dogs all open up. I hear the hunters saying, we have a track that crossed the road here. Oh no it was still scent there. Then I’m think oh no my scent goes right to Lucy’s den. I must do something so the only thing I knew to do, was run down, and meet the dogs head on, then take off away from Lucy’s den. They will follow me, instead going to Lucy’s den. I go down and I see 5 hounds I smacked one of them good. Damn that felt good smacking that damn dog, I then take off running away from Lucy’s den. I remembering that Oliver has always said, go up into all the rocks, whenever you get chased by the hounds, because they can’t climb the rocks, the way us bears can. I headed to the steepest rocks I could find. I am scampering up though the rocks. The dogs not too far behind, but as I’m climbing the rocks I can tell they have fallen well behind. I hear a couple voices down on the road, I’ve heard before. I hear one say hey Dale looks like the bear, is trying to lose the dogs in those rocks again. Then Dale responds back, Yes Rob, it sure does. The bears love those rocks and have the advantage over our dogs. I then hear what sounds like one the dogs, making a different bark. It sounded like it has fallen off the rocks. But he is ok, he now barking just a little, as he goes back down the mountain. The rest of the dogs are following. I survived this one, and I know I’m going have to be more careful. I can’t cross the roads anymore.

                I then head towards Tom’s; I hope I don’t run across any more hounds today. I’m now right outside of Tom’s den; I haven’t heard anymore hounds. As I go inside, he isn’t there I hope he is ok. The den looks good, and nothing tells me anything is wrong. I’m tired so I go in and take a little bear nap. I then wake up and hear Tom say, welcome blood brother.  I said hello, I have you 2 berry cobblers, that Sophia made for you. He said yum yum yummy. I didn’t think I would see you any more, until after chase season. I tell him that if he didn’t mind, I would like to stay with him, until after chase season. He was thrilled, I said I was going back to get my stuff, but the hounds had chased him, I don,t feel like I should cross the road again. Don’t worry I have any and everything you may need here. I even got a deer bag of marijuana form Ceasar, just before chase season came in. I took him 2 large does for it. I didn’t want him, to just give it to me this time. He told me I was not ready to come off it. But I,m weaned down to an average of only 1 or 2 cigarettes a day now. I tell him that was great.

                 I ask what else has he been doing since I last saw him, well I’ve been looking for a sow, but no luck so far. Tom then said we got this whole mountain range that we can stay on, without crossing any roads. We can go hunting for a sow together. I was happy with this; with any luck we can find us 2 beautiful sows. For the next 2 days we were out all day long, looking for an available sow. None seems to be around. Tom said you know the last 2 days I haven’t even smoked one cigarette, just having a good friend around, helps with this depression stuff. He said he owed me so much. You being my blood brother is all the payment I need.

              On the way back to our den I happen to see the largest bee hive I have ever seen. I tell Tom, that Sophia is almost out of honey. He said he has several 5-gallon buckets; we can harvest all this honey for her tomorrow. We get a good night’s sleep and plan on harvesting the honey, in the morning and then go sow hunting some again.

              We have harvested almost 7, 5-gallon buckets of honey, when we started hearing hounds, sound like they are chasing a bear, it is coming towards us. We see a 3-year-old sow cross just above us, and the hounds just a little behind. I tell Tom, I’m going up there, I’m going to get the hounds chasing me. Tom said not without him. I said Well let’s go rescue this damsel in distress. We get up to where she had crossed, we waited for the hounds, we both was swiping at them making them fly through the air, this felt so good. Then we went off running together, with the hounds chasing us. We are going to fix those hounds and teach them a lesson; we will climb up this tree here that’s leaning into the other tree at a 45 degree angle. We will set at the intersection of the 2 trees, and once all the dogs have climbed up this leaning tree, and they are 50 feet up in the air, we will then slide down the other tree. That’s what we did and oh wow did it work well. The dogs now sounding totally different, not their big loud mouth bawling barks, it’s more of a whimpering now. Tom said let’s go over on the next ridge, we will watch when the hunters find their dogs. The first one that sees them yells out, y’all got to see this, all our hounds are 50 feet up in the damn tree. Myself and Tom get a huge laugh out of this. We decide we would walk just below the hunters so they can see us. The dogs can’t chase us now, we let out just a slight growl when we were below them. I tell Tom, lets go find that damsel in distress now. Wasn’t long until we found the sow, she was so appreciative, that we had helped her out. She spent the night with us tonight.

              The next morning, we had breakfast, we found out her name was Sue. This here is Tom and I’m Benjiman [Ben]. She said I am glad to meet Y’all, thanks again for helping me. We asked her where she lived and she said, “she lived 3 mountain ranges over from here, she has been all alone since losing her mother and father almost a year ago. We tell her she is welcome to stay with us, and she said that just sounds perfect. I have been very lonely!

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  • Chapter 8 / The Moves

    The Moves

    Maverick and Luna now show back up at Angel’s den, Angel sees something, she has never seen in Luna. Angel says Luna you are glowing what’s going on here. Luna now with a very blushed face, says “I’m in love, I guess it was like love at first sight. I know that sound silly but I have never had such a strong feeling towards anyone. I know it was not really love at first sight. I know I’ve known maverick for a while. But literally until yesterday, when I saw Maverick over at Ceasar’s, I never looked at him this way.” Maverick is standing there; he is now blushing as Luna is telling Angel of their love for each other. Luna can’t hold it in anymore and says, “mom you are going to be a grandmother.” Angel then faints and falls to the floor. Samuel, concerned for Angel goes over to check on her as she is coming too. Angel then says to Samuel looks like you going to be a grandaddy.

    Both Angel and Samuel then congratulate Maverick and Luna. They both look to be very happy and in love. I then with all the power in me also congratulate Maverick and Luna. I’m thinking what is wrong with me, she could have been mine, if I had just had just had feelings for her earlier. I can’t say anything, Luna has always been my friend, and I want her to be happy. The look on their faces shows, that they are very happy and in love.

    Angel says well I guess we will just have to have a celebratory breakfast, for the new young couple. George says, I will help you prepare breakfast. Myself, Maverick, and Luna go for a walk; as we are walking, I’m now feeling like a third wheel. Luna tells me, that I will always be her best friend, and hopes this doesn’t change their relationship. I then say yes, Luna you will always be my best friend.

    Back at the den every chance Angel gets, she is now is brushing up against Samuel. She is having feelings toward Samuel. On the other hand, Samuel has showed nothing, that makes Angel feel its reciprocal. As they continue with making breakfast Angel asks Samuel to get the native trout, out the refrigerator for hors d’oeuvres. She then places herself, to where when Samuel turns back around, they will be nose to nose. This worked out perfectly, as their noses met Samuel and Angel started rubbing noses. Angel’s face blushed and returned the nose rub. Samuel then apologizes, and says, he shouldn’t of rub her nose. Angel said why I truly enjoyed our nose rub. Samuel then admits yes, I did also, and says I’ve been having some feelings for you for a while now. I’ve been so afraid to say or do anything about my feelings. I have been such a horrible bear, I didn’t think anyone every could have feelings for me. Angel then says you are a damn sexy thing, get your ass over here, and give me a big bear hug. As they giving each other a bear hug, Luna is the first one into the den, and says what y’all doing. Both Angel and Samuel with a blushed face, when Angel speaks up, well it looks like you and James are not the only ones, this morning, having feelings for someone else. James and myself, are now inside with Luna and we all give them a big congratulations. Angels say well this is a new thing not like we a couple yet, Samuel then says well if we want to be a couple we can be. Angel says you are so right I for damn sure want to spend the rest of my life with you.

    They have a feast fit for a king, with so much love and joy in the room. I congratulate everyone. But I’m feeling so down now, and I guess it showed. Luna says Ben, I know there will be a lucky girl out there for you very soon. He said yes, I know it will be. Luna says and what a lucky girl that she will be. You are the most amazing bear out there.  After the feast I felt like I should leave them alone so, I headed back to my den.

    Upon entering my den Oliver and Sophia are fixing lunch, James and Lucy is down by the stream fishing, says Sophia. Sophia says well you home a little earlier than we figured. I tell them of all the happenings over at Angels. Both Sophia and Oliver are happy for both new couples. Sounds like it been a big couple days for you Ben, how are you doing Sopia asks. I break out in tears I have always had Luna as my best friend. I never thought of her as anything other than a friend. It wasn’t until I saw James and Luna, start the googled-eyed, giggly giggles did I realize, I may have been starting to have feelings for Luna. I just always thought we would always be best friends. Sophia says, a best friend will support your friend though anything. I said yes, I know and I will support all of them. Sophia has a big smile, I know you are such a great bear. I’m very blessed to have you as my son.

    Back at Angel’s there is a big discussion going on about dens. Samuel tells Angel she could move in with him. Angel says well I could, but how about you move in with me. We would have a larger den here than at your den. Samuel says yes, this den is very cozy and the best part of this den is you, Angel. Samuel then says his den is a great beginner den, and that Maverick and Luna could use his den. Both Maverick and Luna have the biggest bear grin, they are getting their own new den to start a new bear family.

    Maverick tells Luna, let’s go over to our new den, and we can begin to tidy it up to your likings Luna. Samuel tells them to just put his belonging in one place, and that all the food and furnishings are theirs, to help start out their new home and family. They headed over to their new den. Luna says oh this is just perfect; just think yesterday morning we knew nothing about any of this, and that we would even be a family together. They started cleaning, and have now moved all of Samuel’s belongings to one area. Luna after cleaning says, this is perfect, let’s go ahead and take Samuel’s stuff over to him, and I can get the last of my belongings to bring back. Perfect says Maverick, then we can come back and not be concerned, with Samuel coming over here to get his belonging, we can start our honeymoon and do what bears do, on their honey moon. Luna said yes, we can do it all night long.

    Once back at Angel’s, they had also been busy with moving all of Luna’s stuff to one place. They have left James room alone, since he has no den to move to yet. Luna looks around and says, wow y’all have really tidy up this place. Angel said yes, when you are joyful and happy it’s amazing what you can get done. She is just grinning and says, this is possible due to you Samuel, being strong to get off the marijuana. Angel said she knows James and Lucy will be finding a den soon to start their family.

    Luna and Maverick tell Angel and Samuel bye, they said they are starting their week-long honey moon, so don’t come a knocking cause the den will be a rocking. As they leave Angel tells Samuel, you know we need to get our den a rocking. We haven’t had time alone; we can start our honeymoon now. Samuel with a shit eating grin says let’s get this den a rocking.

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  • Chapter 7 / Late Summer Time

          Late Summer Time

    Late summer is here, it is hot and sticky, and it has a feeling of love in the air. Whatever that means, the love bug hasn’t hit me yet. But lucy on the other hand is just glowing all the time. Her, and James finds every excuse they can to be together. If she not going over there, James is coming over here. I love my blood brother coming over, but he has no time for me. The problem is he wants to spend all his time with Lucy. I’m glad he has Lucy to spend time with, but it gets a little lonely here.

          I decided to go over to Samuel’s and Maverick’s to see how they are doing. It’s so nice seeing them not angry and mean now. Samuel says he is so thankful, that I had the idea, of getting the marijuana from Cesear, and for Maverick to make the switch. Samuel still misses Charlotte and Emma, but it is getting easier for them to deal with daily. Myself and Maverick have become close friends and blood brother’s now. We love to go forging for food, hunting, and fishing together. It’s nice having him as a friend, since James is in love, he doesn’t have time for his blood brother.

         Samel says hey let’s go over to Angels, so I can thank her for her Cesear’s marijuana. So, we all head over to Angel’s. I said I’m going to stop by and tell Oliver and Sophia, where they were going. As he enters the den, he hears the bed creaking, and Sophia was breathing hard and making some very strange and loud noises. I decided best not to interrupt them. I’m old enough to know, they are making myself and Lucy some brothers and sisters. I find this to be exciting news.

         So, we head on over to Angel’s, Samuel says there is still some fruit in the meadows and forest, we can pick to take to Angel and Luna. We also can get her a deer, and maybe some small game. I want to repay her for all the bad deeds I’ve done. We gathered a basket full of fruit, then it’s time to go find a deer, we go down into the holler, 2 deer are standing there. The 3 of us run them into the steep rocks, we able to harvest both. Myself and Maverick stay back to drag the 2 deer to Angel’s den. Samuel is carrying the basket of fruit, well in front of us, he happens upon a turkey which he harvested. Samuel is thinking that is a pretty good start on repaying Angel and her family.

         Samuel gets to the den first, only Angel is there. Samuel gives Angel the basket of fruit, and the turkey and says that was for her family. Angel says that Luna was down at Ceasar’s, and spending some time with Cesear. Samuel is now in tears and starts apologizing to Angel, he said I know my behavior was totally inexcusable, she agrees with him, but then she says, I understand why you were so horrible. Losing your mate and young daughter, all at the same time, is more than any bear should endure. I know how hurt I was losing George; it was almost unbearable. I was able to get through my lose without turning to marijuana. I know you turned to Caesars marijuana, you were doing better, but you were still hurting. Then you happened to run in to another dealer, that was a very bad and evil dealer. You started using his laced marijuana, as did Maverick. The PCP laced marijuana changed your brain, and the way you were thinking. With all this said, I’m not holding you responsible for your actions. All this started because a bear hunter took your young daughter cub illegally, I believe if you had only lost your mate, as I did, you could have gotten through this, without turning to the laced marijuana. I can tell you are very sorry, for what you have put our great forest though. With all this said, I totally forgive you for everything you did. Samuel gave Angel a big bear hug. This took Angel by surprise, and she had a little fuzzy feeling when he hugged her.

         Maverick and Ben are now at the den, Angel says what do you have here. We were able to get you, 2 deer this should help feed your family for a while. She said yes, and she thanks them for the food. Maverick says where is Luna at. Angel says she is over at Cesear’s. He then said great Ben and myself will go over there. I want to thank him for the deer and possum bags of marijuana he had given us. I also want him to know, just how much this has changed our life. I also want him to know that we are weaned off of it now. But most of all I want to thank him, for giving me my dad Samuel back.

         They headed on over to Cesear’s, when they get there Luna said, hi Maverick, and then she said oh you to Ben. For the first time in my life, I felt a little jealously towards Maverick. She has always acknowledged me first, could she be having feelings towards Maverick. I’ve never had any feelings other than friends towards her. Why do I feel so hurt now? Could I now be beginning to have more serious feelings towards her? I’m confused with this, I don’t want to say anything about the way I’m feeling now. I will just pretend nothing is bothering me. I don’t want to do anything, that will cause any contempt with Luna and also Maverick. They are my friends, so I never told either one of them, the way I was feeling.

         Back at the den Samuel and Angel, has just been sitting and talking. Angels tells him, she was so glad they all came over, and I’m even more glad we have had this talk, it means so much to her. Samuel says I’m so glad we had this talk also. This helps even more, with my healing of losing Charlotte and Emma. Meanwhile Angel is thinking to herself damn, he is a very sexy bear. This is the first time since losing George, she has had these warm and fuzzy feelings. She wasn’t ready to let Samuel know yet, how she was feeling.

          All the cubs are now back at the den, I can tell for sure that Luna and Maverick are beginning to have feelings about each other. Coming back from Cesear’s they were having that same giggly giggle and laugh that James and Lucy have had for a while now. I do feel left out but they are my friends, I’ll support them if they decide to be a couple. I know Mrs. Right will come to me, when I lease expect it. I guess I’m growing up a little, I feel a little silly that I’m having these thoughts now. 

          Angel tells us all that we can spend the night. Maverick and Luna tried to down play their feelings; they did not want to let anyone know, they are having feelings towards each other. The cubs all decided to play some cards. Angel and Samuel stayed in the kitchen and talked until time for bed.

         We all went to bed or at least I thought we had, until the next morning when I woke up, Luna and Maverick were nowhere to be found. I go outside and walked around, I found them rolling in the leaves, with Maverick on top of Luna. I felt hurt but I can’t blame anyone but myself. I had never had feelings for Lucy until now. Looks like they will be starting their own family. I didn’t let them see me so, I went back to the den and sat there until Samuel and Angel were awake. They asked where Luna and Maverick were. I said I havn’t seen them, I guess they are outside somewhere. They were gone when I woke up. Why do I feel so alone now?

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  • Early Summer Time

    Early Summer Time

    Its summer time now, the flowers have now turned into fruit. In the meadows there are so many delicious strawberries, so thick you can’t walk without stepping onto them, and along the woods line are the blackberries and raspberries bushes, covered in lush black and red fruit, while deeper in the woods the blueberries are growing on low bushes, that’s at just the right height for a bear to forage on them. With so many choices, I don’t know which ones I like the best. Lucy and myself eat until our bellies look like that we may pop.

            I’ll help you Lucy to pick a basket full of all the different types of fruit, so we can take the basket over to Angel’s. I’m giggling as I say I don’t think you would mind seeing James. I mean y’all were just together yesterday. Lucy says, can I tell you something Ben. Yes of course. Lucy says I’m falling in love with James. Yeah, I know, that’s been very noticeable here lately. Lucy says I just feel so much joy. when we are together. Nothing else matters when we are together. Ben giggles and says yep, the old love bug has bitten the 2 of you, I’m very happy for you sister. I tell lucy that I’m happy that James has become my blood Brother.

    We have a large basket of berries, and off though the woods we go. We are just walking along all happy and joyful when what do I hear, in a gruff voice, fuck you, Ben. Oh no its Samuel and Maverick, but Maverick doesn’t seem to be in his horrible mood, so that’s a plus. Samuel says to Maverick, is there something you want to say and do. Maverick says, “no I told you I don’t want to live like that anymore.” Samuel then states “I see you picked me a basket of berries hand them over to me, and we will have no problems.” So, our berries are gone, as Samuel and Maverick heads off, I hear Samuel say, damn-it Maverick, “I told you was to handle this.”  Maverick says “I told you I don’t like being mean to our fellow bears anymore.” Samuel says “fine this basket of fruit is all mine as he walks away from Maverick.”

    Maverick is now in the woods all alone, I can hear him crying, I walk down to him and Maverick says “I stood up to my dad it really felt good. But I also feel so empty now, with him walking away from me. Maverick, I know your dad Samuel loves you deep down. He hasn’t been the same since y’all loss Charlotte and Emma. I’m telling Maverick how I remember how hard it was for y’all, Oliver and Sophia tried for several months to help y’all out. Then Caesar had given y’all a possum bag of marijuana for a couple of months, y’all were doing so much better but not great. Then when Samuel got hold of that laced marijuana, it hasn’t been good for y’all, or anyone else in this neck of the woods since then. About then I had a light bulb come on. You know when y’all was doing the best, was when Y’all was being supplied with marijuana from Caesar, what if I can get y’all some. Maverick speaks up and says, I wish it would be that simple, Sameul has gotten used to this way of life, and he doesn’t want to change. He just told me the other day that he loves being the worst bear in the woods. I said, Well that’s is so sad. I then get another idea. I think if he was off the laced marijuana, he wouldn’t feel that way. I told Maverick to come with them to Angels.

    Upon getting to Angels, James is just smiling to see Lucy. James says “I see you brought Maverick; I’m surprised about that.” I fill James in on what happened this morning. James says that so sad, I wish we could help Samuel out, it sounds like Maverick is ready for a change. I then tell James and Maverick of my new plan.

    Sameul doesn’t want to change on his own, so what if we help him change. They said how can we help him if he doesn’t want to change. Well, our first step is to get some marijuana form Cesear your granddad. We then get maverick to replace all the laced marijuana that Samuel has, with Cesear’s marijuana. Upon getting the laced marijuana out of his system, and Caesar’s in his system hopefully Samuel, will stop being mean and nasty. Keep your paws crossed that this works. Maverick says that he now has hope. I haven’t had any hope since we started smoking the laced marijuana. When they get to Cesars he asked how much does Samuel have right now. Maveric said Samuel had just has bought a deer bag and had on hand maybe 2 possum bags. Cesear said “OK he wasn’t going to charge anything for this. If it is successful just the forest being at peace again is all the pay I need.”

    Ben, James, Lucy, and Maverick heads back to Angel’s den. Luna is now awake and getting ready to help Angel prepare supper. Maverick said “wish him luck with the trade.” I told Maverick to hold up, that I would just be a minute, and they would walk back with him at least to our den. I went in and told Luna, and Angel our plan, Luna said she hopes that all goes well. I tell Angel and Luna bye. I said I’m sorry he had brought over Maverick over, but I saw a chance of helping out Maverick. Angel said with any luck due to your generosity, you will have helped the whole forest. I tell them bye and say I sure do hope so. James is giving all kinds of sickening bear kisses and telling Lucy bye.

    On the way back to my den Maverick appears joyful, he says he hopes he gets his dad back. We both was very depressed and were doing better, until we got on the laced marijuana. I never liked what it did to me, but I wanted to please Samuel. I hope he doesn’t catch me making the switch. Ben says he was proud of Maverick and wishes him luck. Maverick shed a tear or two. He said that’s the first time in a long time, that anyone has said they were proud of him. The closest to this was my dad saying, he would be proud of me doing something bad, to the other bears. I tell maverick about how James and myself are blood brothers, I would love for him to be also. I had to tell Maverick what and how you became blood brothers. He was excited, I lost my sister, I would love to be your blood brother. So, we cut each other paws and held them together.

    We are now at my den; we say goodbye to each other. Maverick thanks Ben and Lucy for their help, and being a good friend to him. Maverick heads on to his den, he is worried he might get caught, changing out the marijuana. When he gets back to his den, he apologizes to Samuel. Samuel says “I hope you got your damn shit together now, and you will be by my side in the future.” Maverick said “Yes sir I plan to stick by your side.” Maverick goes throughout the den and as replaces the exact amounts at each area of the marijuana stashed. He is at the last stash that was in a cookie jar, he has taken the old marijuana out, and is putting the new in, when Samuel hollers “what the hell you doing in that cookie jar.” Maverick got scared but then he said “I’m getting me some of your marijuana, so we can go out and do some devastation tonight.” Samuel said “oh good bring me a large cigar over, I want to celebrate because you are going to make me proud.”

    This is the first cigarette that Maverick had smoked in about 2 weeks, and absolutely the 1st he has smoked that wasn’t laced in months. He was very nervous, as to the outcome with Samuel. Will there be enough residual laced PCP, that this huge cigar won’t calm Samuel down, and he will expect me to do devastation, after smoking the marijuana. Well after about the third deep puff I was already feeling less anxious, it’s working on me. But will it have the same effect on Samuel. About then Samuel states for some reason this cigar, doesn’t have the effects it normally does. Samuel says “I’m calming down just a bit.” Go ahead and roll me another double cigar, and get you another cigarette, so we will be ready to rip these woods apart. He is calmer but still having bad thoughts, Maverick is worried, but also a little optimistic since Samuel is a little calmer, than he has been in months. After they had finished their 2nd smoke Maverick, is calm as a cucumber, he doesn’t have any angry thoughts and couldn’t even hurt a spider right now. He looks over at Samuel as he hearing a snoring noise, he is out cold.

    The next morning Samuel wakes up, he says son I haven’t felt this good in a long time. But I don’t get why I’m so calm, and I didn’t want to go out and do devastation last night. Maverick says I’m very glad you are feeling so well. I’m going to fix you another Cigar for you to smoke. It was after those two cigars last night you felt so good. Samuel said “Well just roll me 2 cigars” Maverick said let’s just try one for now dad. We should try to wean ourselves off this marijuana, says Maverick. I believe we are both strong enough now to wean off it.  Samuel says “Ok I’ll try the way I feel now, I feel stronger than I have for a long time, but I can’t quit cold turkey.”

    For the next 2 weeks Samuel is smoking less each day, but is running a little low.  He tells Maverick he needs to go out, and get some marijuana. Maverick says, “I’ll go and get it Samuel, you are doing amazing just sit here, I’ll be back shortly.” Maverick rolled him a little cigarette to smoke while he was gone. He returns with a possum size bag, and tells Samuel he had only gotten a possum size bag. Samuel says perfect I’m not going to smoke any of it, unless I get feeling so depressed I have to. But you know having you here with me, is really the only thing I need right now. Maveric said, “I’m proud of you dad, of all the hard work you have done,” Maverick not wanting to continue lying to Samuel, told his dad how he had replaced all his marijuana. Maverick was very apprehensive telling him this. Samuel states I have only one thing I’m going tell you right now I’m so very proud of you, I’m so sorry how I’ve been acting. Dad, I’m so blessed to have you back, I’ve missed you so much, you used to the best dad, in the Appalachian mountains. I did not only lose Charolette and Emma, but I loss you also dad. They sit there and bear hugged each other rest of the evening before falling to sleep. Maverick is praying that this will last, and that Samuel doesn’t start using the Laced marijuana again. Will this last?

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  • Chapter 3 / Our Neighbors

                                                              Our Neighbors

    After our little snooze, we now have a little fuller feeling belly, after we devoured all the fish yesterday. Oliver and Sophia have been talking, prior to Lucy and myself waking up this morning. They want to go over to the closet bear den to us, to see if they are awake yet. Today seems a little warmer, we are walking through the snow, it doesn’t have as hard of a crust as it did yesterday. I’m breaking through the crust on most of my steps. All the trees are bare, in this white oak forest, you can see several hundred yards. The trees have a gentle sway to them, the sky is a pale blue. I’m watching all the wildlife as I walking there are many squirrels, which are hard for us to catch, they are so fast, they run up the trees, before we can get close. We also saw a red fox, along this mile and half trip. There are several deer, a couple very large bodied deer, but no antlers. Oliver says that this time of year, the bucks have lost their antlers, and those two large body deer were probably bucks. We then see a turkey only fifty feet from us. Sophia says y’all stay here, I’m going try to stalk over and harvest this turkey, to give to our neighbors. I remember Oliver and Sophia telling me, That George the dad of the family of bears we are visiting, was killed last bear season. So, Sophia really wants to take Angel the mother bear, Luna her daughter and James her son, a little meal to eat. Sopia sneaks right up on that 25-pound tom turkey, 1 smack of her paw to the head, the tom turkey was dead.

    We are getting close to the other den and Sophia, was so happy to see that Angel, was awake from her hibernation. We all walked over to her and Sophia says I got y’all a fresh meal. She said they been awake for 2 days now, and havn’t been able to get any meals yet. She was so happy to get this turkey. Sophia says that Luna and James left early this Morning, looking for some food, they haven’t returned yet. Angel points at the track they left, Lucy and myself couldn’t wait to go to find them. Oliver and Sophia stayed with Angel. Oliver said he will dress the turkey [gut and remove all the feathers] for Angel. Sophia and Angel are talking and Angel is very sad. She says that she misses George now more than ever. She explained that it was hard for her to go out and hunt, due to being so sad and depressed. Sophia said that her family, will help her out for as long as she needed them.

    Lucy and myself have caught up with James and Luna, they both are feeling very sad. They said they miss their dad [George] so much, they just wanted to get away from the den a little, to clear their minds. We decided to play some bear games. We played rough and tumble. This game is where they draw a large circle on the ground with a stick, and everyone starts inside the circle, where the wrestling match begins. The object is to try to get the others to the outside of the circle. The last one left inside the circle is the winner. We all are the same age and evenly matched. The 2 girls begin wrestling and us 2 boys are wrestling. Lucy is the first to be pushed out, then myself was next. So, James and Luna are now wrestling, James is pushing hard and Luna is almost out of the circle. Luna outsmarts her brother, she falls to the ground and the force, of James pushing so hard, when she fell to the ground, pushes James outside of the circle. Luna had a big smile, having won the game; James was also smiling by having the game, to help take his father off his mind.

    James then said, you know we need some food, that turkey we do appreciate, but for the 3 of them is more like an appetizer. The next holler over from us is named possum holler, due to it always an abundance of possums. I get a big grin on my face, I’m so good at catching possums. It’s like shooting fish from a barrel. Just scare them a little, they roll over and play dead. All of us went to different areas in the holler, we all caught 2 apiece. We take the 8 possums back to Angel, and she gets a big smile on her face.

    I ask Sophie where Oliver was at, she said he had gone out big game hunting, he hoping to come back with a deer. We were all sitting around and dressing the possums, getting them ready to cook. They are almost as good as a cup of porridge. As we are finishing up the dressing of the possums, her comes Oliver and he has a big body deer but no antlers. But you can see the circles, where it was a buck that had dropped his antlers. He says smiling to all us cubs that he also had gotten a doe, its over in the next holler. He told us all to follow his tracks, that we would find the doe. He said it was our job to get the doe back to the den. Last year Oliver didn’t give us responsibility like this. I guess we are growing up a little and have more responsibilities now.

    As we headed down to get the doe, we all was rough housing with each other, and for at least a moment in time, James and Luna are happy and not feeling down, about the loss of their dad. We get down to where the doe is at, it a mid-sized doe and two of us at a time, grab the doe with our mouths and start dragging her back to the den. This is the first time any of us, had drug any type of large game. It was exhausting but was fun also. When we get back to the den Oliver says, ok boys and girls y’all did a great job, getting the doe back to the den. The work isn’t done yet, we will cook and have this doe for super. Sophia, Angel, Lucy, and Luna will cook the meal. Oliver says I’ll watch you Ben and James, dress the deer, to get it ready to be cooked. All us young cubs felt proud, that the adults were letting us have so much responsibility. After the meal Oliver said, I guess it’s time to head back to our den. Angel insisted that we stayed the night, she said they have a large den and plenty of room for all.

    We stayed up late, all the young cubs sat around and played cards and board games. We all was laughing and having the best time. The adults set and talked, Angel said this has been the best day their family has had, since losing George. Angel shed some happy tears, as she was seeing all the cubs sit around the fireplace and laughing and just having the best of time. Sophia was wondering how long this happiness would last once they leave?

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  • Revenge for Dottie

    Revenge for Dottie

                Benjiman had a sleepless, bitter-cold night, in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, and I have finished the deer bag marijuana, but I must replenish my marijuana. My heart has been ripped out from my body, but I must take care of Bud and Lucille now. I must get hold of my feelings, so, I can protect them. I must have more marijuana; I must remain calm. Yes, I’m thinking about the PCP laced marijuana, but Bud and Lucille need me. I must use the regular marijuana. I know it will be dangerous, but I must cross the road, to get me some marijuana. Luna begged me not to go. I said I must, I promised her, to only to get the regular marijuana. She said please be careful of, that awful group of hunters, no she said they are not hunters, they are POACHER’S.

                I crossed under the road, going through a culvert, I stayed in the creek to hide my scent. I’m almost to my den; when I hear a truck down on the road! Will the hounds get my scent? I hope not! Right where I crossed under the road, I hear the hounds as they blow up, they have my scent. But they are not getting closer, they are getting farther away. They are headed straight towards Luna’s den; they are on my backtrack. I must do something now. But what? I rushed to my den, as I go straight to my secret hiding spot, I grabbed four cigars, I smoked one as quickly as I could. I’m ready to do battle with those DAMN POACHERS. I will get revenge for Dottie. I hope all will be well, with all my family, I hope they kill all those dogs. My job is down on the road now. I am off in a rage to the road. Those poachers will die today. I’m just in the mood to make that happen. When I get to the road, which is very quickly, you would be surprised how quickly I can move, after smoking the laced marijuana.

                There are 3 trucks with dog boxes on them. There were 4 hunters standing in the road. I hear one of them say, that damn bear, won’t get away from us today, we had 2 hunters go in before daylight, they are already on top the mountain. The hounds will run that bastard bear to them. I was terrified as to who, or how many of his family members, the hounds are chasing. Will any of my family die today. I have had too much loss already.  It sounds like 12 or more hounds are running towards the top of the mountain. The hounds seem to be close together, not spread out, seems as though they are just chasing 1 bear, or may be a group of bears that’s close together.

                It’s time to end those poachers lives, but first, I lit up one more marijuana cigar, as I calmly smoked it. I then take off in a sprint going as hard as I could. When I encountered the first hunter, with only 1 swipe of my powerful paw, off goes his head, blood went flying everywhere, his head was flying through the air. The other hunters heard this, they turned to see what has happened. They saw his head flying, right into one of the poachers. They were all screaming, at the top of the lungs, as they started running for their guns in their trucks. I closed in quickly, as I disemboweled the next poacher, the guts went everywhere, the bowels landed on 2 of their trucks. I reached over and grabbed his heart as I ate it. I then felt a little fly land on my right shoulder, as I heard a loud bang. Oh no I’ve been shot again. I took off full speed, as I hear another bang, but I think he missed, I didn’t feel any fly’s this time. The poacher turns and runs, as he is running, there is shit, coming out his pants legs, every step he makes. I chased him and I made a swipe across his body; his body is separated in half; the top half is headed towards the last poacher. It hits him and knocks him down. I walk over to him, I started at his feet, having myself a meal. The bloody screams he made, for the next 10 minutes, as I devoured his body. I saved his heart to eat last, then I went to get the only 2 hearts I haven’t eating yet. I’m finding poachers hearts to be a delicacy.

                As I start back to the Luna’s den, the shot that I had received, seems to be only a flesh wound, on my right shoulder. I rub dirt in it to stop the bleeding. I hope everyone is OK back at the den. When I get there Luna sees that I’m bleeding, she said Benjiman; I am so worried about Maverick. We heard all the hounds coming straight at our den, Maverick ran down and confronted them, he made sure they all followed him, before running straight up the mountain. I’m very concerned for Maverick now, knowing that 2 poachers are on top. I said I must go, to try to help Maverick. Luna said you are bleeding, let me at least place some yarrow on your wound. After she placed a bandage of yarrow on, I had myself another cigar, because I know this isn’t over yet. Luna said is that the laced marijuana. I told her I will let you know everything later. But right now, I must try to help my brother out. She said OK, be safe.

                I’m loaded now for the poachers, as my head is in a psychotic spin, and prayers for my brother that he is OK. I can hear the dogs, they sound stopped on top of the mountain. But I’m almost a mile from them. Can I get there to save him? I’m going as fast as I can, I am closing in on the hounds, that’s when I heard 3 shots. My heart sank! I know my brother is dead! I continue up to where the dogs are at. I’m now at a slower pace to be quiet. I don’t want the poachers to know I’m coming. I get up to where they had killed Maverick. The poachers are squatting over his body and ripping his guts out. Guts are about to fly. All the dogs there, are pulling on Mavericks lifeless body, they never saw me coming. I smacked the first poacher in his head, his head exploded. The second one looked up at me, he said Oh My God I’m going to die. His gun was lying about 25 feet from him; I go over to the gun, I grabbed it, slammed it into a tree. The dogs are now chewing on me, I take them out one or two dogs at a time, until they were all dead. I turned for the last poacher, he was no longer there. He had left me a great trail of shit, that I followed for 200 yards. I slowly started at his feet, as I started ripping flesh with my claws, I was too full to eat him, but a slow death it would be. Once he was dead, I did eat both of their hearts. I now must go and tell Luna that Maverick is dead. I’m concerned what reactions she will have. Is our forest safe now, that the poachers are all dead?

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