THE HARSH REALITIES OF NATURE

[Animal fighting and death of animals].

Janet frequently hiked through the woods, yet she had never dared to venture out so late in the year without a gun or bear spray. Now entirely hers, her family cabin nestled deep in the Cascade Mountains. She often spotted various wildlife creatures wandering through her front yard. She stood out as one of the few individuals with the Fraser River flowing through her backyard. She cast her line beside the grizzlies each year, sharing the river without a hint of trouble.

Janet vividly remembered the first time she faced this with her mother and father, feeling a surge of fear as the bears loomed large before her.

"Papa, they're much larger than us," she exclaimed.

"Janet, let's stay calm, quiet, and still." We aim to avoid startling the grizzlies, as they might attack one of us. We certainly want to avoid that, don't we? "Her mother responded."

Not long after that, while hiking, her mother, who was nearly full-term pregnant, was caught between some cubs and their mother. The bear charged at them without hesitation, moving like a hyena pursuing its prey in an instant.

Momma and Janet huddled together, curling their bodies into protective balls. Eric waved his arms, his face etched with anxious determination, trying to look larger and more intimidating than the hulking bear looming nearby. He took a deep breath and fired a single shot. The crack of the gun echoed through the trees, and the bullet struck the bear's front paw. The creature staggered from the sudden injury, allowing the trio to escape unscathed in that fleeting moment. However, the shock triggered an unexpected consequence: Solange went into labour.

Eric's heart raced as he noticed the shift in Solange's expression. He sensed the urgency in her eyes before she spoke a single word.

"What is it, Mother?" Has your water broken? "He asked, his voice rising in pitch, panic creeping into his tone.

"Janet, please come and assist your mother as she walks." Momma's voice, though strained, exuded a calm authority.

Janet sprang into action, dashing around to grasp her mother's hand. Her fingers intertwined with Solange's as they focused on making their way home. Amid their turmoil, the mother grizzly and her cubs stealthily moved through the dense underbrush, paralleling their path and watching from a distance, blissfully unnoticed.

Eric quickly ushered Solange inside as they reached the safety of their home. Janet rushed to grab towels and warm water, her small hands shaking urgently. She rubbed Momma with warm facecloths, aiming to soothe the rising discomfort.

Eric paced anxiously at Solange's feet, his heart pounding fiercely. Solange uttered a piercing scream, a raw and primal cry that echoed like a wild woman who had stubbed her toe. Her face flushed crimson, and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, dripping down her brow as the intensity of labour gripped her. She crouched low with a fierce grunt, her body instinctively preparing to bring new life into the world. Pappa laid soft towels beneath her, ready to catch their newborn when the moment arrived.

After an hour, Janet searched for the baby, eager to find out where he was.

"Pappa, where is the baby?"

"I want to know."

Amniotic fluid dripped steadily from her, and she grunted with each contraction. Eric inquired whether she wanted him to pull the baby out.

"Get it out of me, please!" she cried out.

"Don't worry, honey, I'll deliver the baby," Eric assured her.

He plunged his hand inside and touched the baby's head.

"Push, Momma! Push!" Janet shouted.

A loud thud struck the side of the cabin. Eric turned to investigate the mayhem, and the baby's head was crowned, emerging into the world. He unexpectedly caught the baby boy. Janet carried the scissors that Eric had explicitly sharpened to cut the umbilical cord. He indicated a spot, and she swiftly snipped the cord. Eric handed the baby to Solange.

A loud thud echoed against the side of the cabin.

"Hurry, Mother! I need to handle that bear before she breaks in and destroys everything."

He checked on Solange to ensure everything was alright, and then he seized his gun.

Another thud echoed through the air.

"I will handle the bear. Janet, you must stay with Momma and assist her with anything she requires until Pappa returns. Can you do that for Pappa?"

She nodded and smiled at the responsibility.

"Um—hmm, I can do that, Pappa."

"Great. I know you can do it. Stay in the bedroom until I call for you. Do you understand?"

The final thud echoed, causing the door to rattle violently. Eric strode out of the room.

A shotgun blasted through the air. Next, another one appeared. Finally, here's one last item. Eric hesitated to pull the trigger, his heart heavy with thoughts of the cubs. He faced a situation with no options left. A bear determined to pursue its prey in their territory becomes relentless. He understood that his actions were essential for his family's safety.

He reached out to his family. All were deep in slumber. Eric heard a scratching echo at the door. The cubs searched for their mother as he peered outside. Eric opened the door and welcomed them inside. Eric used a pile of rags when he planted his garden, and they slept on it.

Mamma rose to feed the baby, stirring the cubs from their slumber. Everyone dove into eat mode, savouring each bite, and then shifted into play mode, filled with energy and excitement. Eric picked berries for the cubs before Janet woke up.

They yanked the flour from the can, sending a cloud of white powder swirling around them and coating the floor, transforming the scene into a playful winter wonderland. They opened the cupboards and removed the pots and pans from their designated spots.

Eric trailed behind, diligently cleaning up their messes. Janet woke up from the noise before too long.

A bunch of noise as something chattered nearby caught Janet's attention. "Huh! Cubs! But Pappa, where's their big, mean Momma?"

"She passed away, so we will care for the cubs until they grow strong enough to venture out independently."

"Yay! Can they sleep in my room? I will create a cozy bed for them there."

"No. They have to sleep out here."

"If they sleep in your bed, they can harm you. Do you understand?"

"Okay, Pappa, but can they play in there with me?"

"If we are aware of it, they might."

The baby loudly cried, drawing everyone's attention to him. Mamma stood momentarily before settling into the rocking chair Pappa crafted during her pregnancy with Janet, cradling the baby gently in her arms. Eric, Janet, and the cubs ventured outside. They walked towards the river.

The cubs splashed in the river, eagerly trying to catch fish, while Eric and Janet cast their lines nearby. Eric and Janet caught six fish, the golden number for lunch and dinner, while the bears caught many. Eric left the cubs to play outdoors while he chopped wood, then headed inside to prepare lunch. He entered the room, prepared lunch, and gently lifted the baby from Solange's arms.

"Let's name the little fellow; what do you think?"

"Have you considered any names that you like?" Solange said.

"Yes, I like Franklin and William."

"I like either of those names, so choose which fits him best and use the other for his second name." Solange smiled, even though her bottom throbbed from all the pushing, leaving her with a cluster of hemorrhoids, swollen breasts, and exhaustion that never seemed to fade, along with an unending hunger.

After lunch, Janet and Eric hiked to the berry patch, gathering a bounty of berries for a pie and the cubs. Eric balanced the berries on his hips. As they returned to the cabin, they spotted moose tracks. Pappa turned to Janet and instructed her to position herself behind him. Urging her to follow the trails leading back to the house. Eric placed the berries on the table. He leaped energetically in front of the moose.

The moose fixed its gaze on him, unblinking and still, leaving him to wonder what it might do next. Eric scanned the area for a large tree, one he could wrap his arms around the trunk. He understood that if he reached that tree, the moose would be unable to get him. Eric got that it would charge to escape. He remembered that moose rarely chased, and if they did, they wouldn't pursue for long. Eric knew that if running became impossible, he should take cover behind something sturdy, like a tree. He witnessed a moose charge at him and his brother, resulting in his brother's death. If the moose knocks him down, he knows his only option is to curl up in a ball, protect his head with his arms, and remain still.

The massive moose lowered its majestic head, nostrils flaring as it fixed its gaze on Eric. Anxiety surged through him like a mighty wave. What actions should he take regarding this aggressive creature? He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart and think clearly. The moose stood its ground, a clear sign it was preparing to charge. Eric briefly imagined the moose stomping and kicking as it lunged forward in defence. He quickly assessed its body language.

Most moose charges are bluffs—a display to send a warning, establish dominance, and keep intruders at bay. However, if this moose decided to charge, he understood he wouldn't linger to discover if it was a genuine threat. His instincts surged to life as he scanned the area, searching for something solid to shield him. Standing tall and sturdy, a nearby tree caught his eye, beckoning him to take refuge behind it.

Eric fixed his gaze on the towering figure standing before him. The long hairs on the moose's hump bristled like a warning flag, its ears pinned back against its skull, and its tongue flicked ominously across its lips as he noticed the creature's tense posture. The beast thrashed restlessly, and Pappa sensed the danger surrounding him. He cautiously backed away, scanning for the nearest tree to duck behind.

As Eric took his first hesitant step backward, the moose charged forward surprisingly. The deep snow hindered its movements, yet Eric sensed the pressing need to flee. The moose kicked its front hooves forward with a powerful thrust, sending churned-up snowflakes flying. With his knowledge, he sprinted toward the nearest tree, confident the moose wouldn't chase him far; he could manoeuvre around the trunk quicker than the beast could follow.

Eric waited, his heart pounding, until the aggressive animal left the area. A sudden thought struck him as he watched Janet venture out, her figure disappearing into the distance, following the faint footsteps imprinted in the pristine snow in search of a home. He sprinted back to the cabin, sweat streaming down his brow, forming tiny icicles that clung to his beard and moustache.

As Janet arrived home, she opened the door to find him standing there, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Pappa, you said you were right behind me. Where were you all this time?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

"It's a long story, kiddo. The important thing is that you listened to your Pappa and made it home safely. You can join me next time I go out if you'd like," he said, affectionately ruffling her hair.

Janet beamed as she spun around in delight; her grin illuminated her face.

"Tomorrow, let's head to the river with the cubs!" Pappa proposed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That's perfect! Do we have a name yet for our baby brother?" Solange chimed in, her voice radiating warmth and maternal love.

"William Franklin Sorento. It's a rather distinguished name, wouldn't you agree?" Eric nodded his head in response.

"What about me?" Janet inquired; her curiosity ignited.

"Your name is Janet Willa Sorento," Momma said, smiling brightly.

The family gathered around the table that evening, sharing a hearty supper while laughter echoed through their cozy cabin. Solange and Eric gently tucked the children into bed, ensuring they were comfortable. They settled down with cups of steaming tea when a faint scratching began at the door.

The cubs must discover their path soon. They continuously drain our berry supply. Eric shook his head in mild exasperation, glancing at Solange as he remarked, "They barely earn their keep."

"I concur. They will wander off when ready; it's in their nature," Solange said, her voice soft yet firm.

"Okay. But if they're still here in a week, I will chase them off," Eric vowed.

The couple, satisfied with their decision, opened the door wide. The chilly night air rushed in, inviting the cubs to snuggle close and seek warmth.

The next day, the sun rose bright and clear as the family eagerly prepared a lively picnic by the river. Excitement bubbled within them; they packed their homemade chairs and set off. Nature buzzed with energy as bears lumbered, deer grazed, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant birds darted to the water's edge for a refreshing drink.

Two moose suddenly emerged from the treeline, quietly keeping to themselves at the far end of the river. Eric's instincts surged, and a twinge of unease gripped him as he watched them creep closer while other animals completed their feeding.

"Solange, please take William and Janet back to the cabin. When I say 'Run,' sprint toward the tree, right? Got it, Janet, honey? Pappa instructed seriously, the underlying tension palpable in the air.

Solange nodded, her eyes wide with concern, as she sensed Eric's unease. Worry laced his voice as she listened; they stood exposed in the open while the moose pinned their ears back and curled their lips unnervingly.

Eric sensed the pressure building in his head—an overwhelming sensation that threatened to burst forth. He recognized the urgency to act. Instead of fleeing, he shouted at Solange and Janet to "Run." Then he dropped to the ground, curling into a protective ball, his arms shielding his head.

Chaos erupted around him. Growls and snarls exploded, mingling with the terrifying clatter of claws scraping against the earth. Eric stood uncertain, trying to discern whether bears or moose clashed in a fierce battle. The din grew louder, each sound punctuated by the sickening thud of flesh colliding with bone.

He saw a moose collapse with a final, mournful groan from his vantage point while the other struggled fiercely against its opponent. The struggle stretched on, seeming to last an eternity.

Meanwhile, Janet and Momma stayed sheltered, their eyes fixed on the brutality unfolding before them. The harsh realities of nature unfolded as the moose's formidable rack gored two beloved bear cubs—one lay lifeless on the snowy ground, entwined with the fallen moose.

After the danger passed, Eric got his winch and hung the meat, letting the blood drain. He packed the pieces tightly with salt, ensuring they would sustain the family through the harsh winters—the immense pressure of needing to hunt and leave his family for extended periods lifted from his shoulders.

The bear cubs lived with the family for years, bringing joy and responsibility to their lives. Solange and Eric departed from this world first, leaving William and Janet to cherish their memories in the cabin that had become their home.

Janet attended university and graduated with honours. William followed suit and achieved great things, which marked the last time she saw him.

In quiet moments, she pondered his fate. She wondered if he had found a partner or accepted a prestigious research position. Did he choose to remain because of love or ambition? 

Yet none of that mattered now; she stood alone in the vast wilderness they had once shared. A stranger arrived at the cabin, bringing solemn news of William's passing. He was her last living relative.

She looked around the cabin, filled with memories and a lifetime of moments, turned, walked out, and locked the door behind her. She told her bears where she was going and that she would be back. Then she went with the man into the city.

She sat in the nursing home and looked out the window. Her ghost was the view and her self-talk: "You left the cabin and abandoned everything you loved: your flawed decision, bears, and real life—just like your brother—this nursing home is your punishment."