The first bear appeared behind the bench. The second emerged from the trees across the street. Evelyn barely had time to stand before she realized she was trapped between them—two hulking forms circling like predators. People nearby screamed. She didn’t move. She couldn’t. Her legs refused to work.
The air felt wrong—thick and frozen. The bears didn’t rush her, but their slow, deliberate movements were worse. Measured. Intentional. Like they were toying with her. Evelyn’s heartbeat pounded in her ears as her mind searched for options. There were none. No one came to help. No one dared.
She turned to run, but the larger bear shifted suddenly, blocking the path with terrifying precision. The air left her lungs. Its dark eyes locked onto hers, unblinking. The smaller one crept in behind, cutting off the last exit. This is how it ends, she thought. I’m not getting out of this.