Action/Thriller

220

Rampage is an adventurous heart-warming story with a western style theme. It's a tale of first love, fear, and survival.

Rampage's Synopsis:

Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Night was beginning to fall in the tranquil mountain valley, and the long workday at the Topps’ family farm had come to an end. Fall weather had once again returned, along with the exploding colors of the tree’s leaves. The unmistakable sound of the elks’ trumpeting calls had also returned to the valley - announcing the beginning of their mating season. It was truly a wondrous time for the elk; but it could also be a very dangerous time, especially when the elk began wandering down the old wagon train trail from the mountains, down to where the early morning frost had not yet fallen on the tender green grasses. The Topp family - Jim, his wife Mary, and teenage son Rocky - lived on the farm at the lower end of the valley. The roaming elk foraging for food didn’t really bother the Topp family all that much, except when they had to occasionally chase one or two out of their vegetable garden, or the small corn patch the Topps would plant each year. But what followed the elk down from the mountains, shadowing the animals’ movements did…
Rocky had just put his golden-stallion - Comanche - inside the barn for the night. After securing the double doors, with the cross-board, he began walking up the shadow-darkened path toward the cabin. It had been an exceptionally hard day for Rocky at the farm, and partial-exhaustion was starting to take its toll. He was now looking for some well-deserved rest on the cabin’s front porch swing. Rocky could soon see the candle’s light flickering through the partially opened windows, as he made his way up the path toward the cabin. He could also smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pies his ma had recently set on the windowsill. The grayish sky was growing darker by the second, and the swirling wind had started to strengthen with an eerie sound - as if some mystical storm were descending upon the valley. Rocky started walking faster, but suddenly, as if struck by lightning, stopped dead in his tracks. He was temporarily frozen in place by the blood-curdling screams of some misfortunate animal in trouble, big trouble. The almost ghostly noises sent waves of chills shooting clear through to his bones! Rocky had never heard such sounds in the valley before, and little did he know they would only get worse.
The horrifying shrills were coming from the woods just across the field behind the barn. Darkness had all but set in now, and the terrible screams were completely saturating the air. Rocky again quickened his pace and was soon standing on the first step leading up to the cabin’s porch. Jim Topp was already in the doorway, sipping sparingly on a freshly brewed cup of coffee. He was also listening to the horrendous noises, along with watching Mother Nature’s oncoming storm. He momentarily lowered his pipe, and turned his better ear toward the barn. Jim was as confused as Rocky, about the strange sounding screams.
“What do you think it is, Pa?” spoke Rocky, as he shifted his western style hat to the back of his head, then leaned down to pull his socks up from inside of his cowboy-boots.
“It’s hard to say for certain, Rocky, but a grizzly may have an elk cornered in the woods.”
“If a grizzly does have an elk cornered I feel sorry for the elk, Pa. It sounds as though it’s being torn to shreds!”
“Well, it’s only natural for a grizzly to hunt for food,” replied Jim, as he shook his head side to side, and then flipped the remaining drops of coffee to the ground. “Why don’t we go inside, son,” he continued, after turning to enter the cabin. “There’s nothing we can do about it anyway.”
The slaughter of the mysterious animal continued for several minutes, then, just as suddenly as the screams had started they stopped. Rocky, after entering the cabin, noticed that his ma had a worried look on her face, and her hands were slightly trembling. Rocky and his pa tried their best to assure her that everything was going to be okay, and that there was nothing for her to worry about. The grizzly had finished with its killing - or at least for the night. Rocky still had doubts as to what had happened out behind the barn, but he had to let it go for now, in order for his ma to calm down. He knew she was a lot more scared than she was letting on and, to discuss the grizzly attack would only make her worry more.
Shortly after the screams fell silent, Rocky, along with his ma and pa, sat in front of the fireplace talking about their day, and about other matters taking place on their farm.
“Did you ask Rocky yet, Jim?” spoke Mary Topp, after lowering her knitting piece. Her trembling hands had finally calmed, and her normal color had again returned to her face.
“Not yet,” replied Jim, as he lowered his pipe from his lips then turned to look in her direction. “But now’s as good a time as any.”
“Ask me what, Pa?”
“When your ma and I were down in town today we chatted with Mr. Williams at the feed store.”
“What did you talk about?” Rocky responded with a sudden interest.
“Mr. Williams told me that our neighbor further up the valley, Matt Petersen, had told him he’s thinking about selling the old Henley farm.”
“But, Pa….the Petersens only moved into the Henley farm last year.”
“Well, apparently Mr. Petersen wants to move his family closer to town, due to his veterinarian practice. It seems as though he now realizes it’s just too much of a burden, for the folks in town, to bring their sick animals up over the ridge to his place to be treated.”
“But what does that have to do with me?” said Rocky, as he leaned over and pulled off his other boot.
“Son; if the Petersens move closer to town, it means they will be selling their farm,” explained Jim , after again lowering his smoldering tobacco pipe.
“I’m still not sure what you mean, Pa…
“You’re coming of age, now, Rocky,” interrupted Jim Topp. “And it won’t be long until you’ll need a place of your own. Your ma and I had discussed earlier that the old Henley farm would be perfect for you. We also talked about coming up with some of the money, to help you possibly buy it. What do you think?”
“That would be GREAT!” shouted Rocky, as he sprang to his feet. “It does interest me!” he continued, as his eyes widened with excitement. “Do you really think Mr. Petersen will sell me the Henley farm?”
“I’d say you have as good a chance as anyone,” replied Jim, as he also stood, then stretched. “Why don’t you and I take the horses for a ride up there in the morning… we can have a talk with Mr. Petersen about it. I’ve been looking forward to meeting him anyway. I’ve put it off long enough! They’ve been living up at the Old Henley farm for a while now, and it’s not very neighborly of us for not meeting them.”
“I think so, too,” agreed Mary. “And I’m also looking forward to seeing the new neighbors.” Mary had been feeling bad lately - about not making the trip up the valley to welcome the Petersens to the valley, but with all the chores around the farm time for socializing was very scarce.
After a little more discussion, about the Petersens and their farm, everyone went off to bed.
Rocky didn’t sleep a wink all night — due to his new found excitement -- and his mind raced until daylight. Just the thought of owning the Henley farm was truly a dream come true for him. Rocky had always thought of one day starting his very own horse ranch, and now his past dreams may be closer to reality than he had ever imagined. He knew the Old Henley farm quite well, though. He had often ridden Comanche up to the peak of the trail, and then sat looking down across the valley at it for hours. Rocky was amazed at how his previous neighbor (Mr. Henley) had been able to take such good care of the place, considering the old timers failing health. Rocky had also enjoyed the peacefulness of the pond, semi-hidden in the Willow Grove -- a place where he could get away from his chores for a time -- and dream of what could be.
It had been a well-run farm, and the pond - the elderly Henley had created - not only proved its worth through the dry-hot-summer months, but had added to the farm’s beauty as well.
Rocky had tried to give Mr. Henley a hand whenever he could, because the strenuous farm work had gotten the best of his aging neighbor. But Mr. Henley had taken ill a couple of years back and was unable to get over it. Mrs. Henley sold the farm to the Petersens roughly a year after her husband’s passing. Rocky was taking care of their farm at the time of the sale - because of Jim Topp having a back injury. By the time his pa had recovered, the Henley farm had already been sold to the Petersens. Rocky had all but given up on his dream of ever owning it, but, now, he had been given a second chance, and he wasn’t about to let it pass him by again.
At dawn Rocky climbed out of bed then dressed. After claiming his hat from the hat rack he headed down toward the barn to get Comanche - along with his pa’s horse and buggy. Once he had finished saddling Comanche, and fitting his Pa’s horse with the harness, he led both animals out of the barn then started up the path in the direction of the cabin. Rocky noticed the glowing of candles shining through the cabin’s two front windows - informing him that his folks must also be up.
“This is going to be a big day for me, Comanche,” spoke Rocky to his golden stallion, as they made their way up to the front porch. “If things go right with the Petersens. The horses are ready to go, Pa!”
“Not so fast!” was a reply from inside of the cabin from Mary Topp. “You have to come in and eat your breakfast first.”
“B-But I’m not very hungry!” cried Rocky, as he shifted in the saddle. He and Comanche couldn’t wait to head up the trail. All he could think about was getting there as soon as he could.
“Come inside, Rocky, and eat!” shouted Jim. “We have a long ride ahead of us. You don’t want to go all day without eating! Jim knew the ride up to the Henley farm would take a while, and by the time they would make it back home Rocky would be starved.
“Okay… I’m on my way in,” Rocky hesitantly replied, then climbed down from the saddle. “I won’t be long, Comanche.” After tying his horse to the hitching post and giving his trusty steed a pat on the side of his neck Rocky ran up the steps. He suddenly flung the heavy wooden door open with a bang, then scampered to the table and began devouring his food.
“Slow down, Rocky!” warned Mary. “You don’t want to choke by eating too fast…”
“Yes, son,” interrupted Jim Topp. “We have plenty of time to get up to the Petersons’ cabin!” Rocky slowed his eating, but not by much. He couldn’t wait to get going, and he could hear Comanche outside also getting restless. After finishing with breakfast Rocky ran out through the cabin’s front door, and in no time was sitting on Comanche’s saddle all ready to go.
“Time’s a-wasting, Pa!” shouted Rocky, as he backed Comanche away from the hitching post.
“Hold your horses,” replied Jim, as he gathered up his boots and hat.
“I’m already holding them,” laughed Rocky, grabbing on to the buggy horse’s reins.
“I got the message,” laughingly said Jim.” Here I come. We’ll be back later this afternoon, Mary.” After giving his wife a look he lifted his hat from the rack. “That boy must have ants in his pants,” Jim smiled.
“Have a good trip, you two,” said Mary after walking her husband to the door. “And give the Petersens my regards.”
“We will, Ma,” Rocky replied after turning Comanche in the direction of the trail.
Rocky couldn’t wait to get started, and neither could Comanche who was straining at the bit - as if to hurry everyone up. Finally Jim climbed up into his buggy, and then was also ready to go.
“Let’s take a ride out behind the barn to the wood line first, Rocky.” spoke Jim, as he turned his horse.
“Why do you want to go down there?” asked a bewildered Rocky. “Don’t you think we should hurry to the Petersens, Pa? Before he sells his farm to someone else?”
“I don’t think you need to worry son! The farm’s not going to be sold that quickly. Besides; I want to see if there are any signs as to what exactly happened out behind the barn last night with the attacking grizzly.”

CHAPTER 2

Rocky redirected Comanche in the direction of the barn, then headed down the small path leading out across the partially plowed field, over to the wood line on the other side. They were almost at the trees when Comanche suddenly stopped. The blond stallion started pacing back and forth, as if he were standing on a hornet’s nest.
“What is it, Rocky?” spoke Jim, after reigning in his buggy’s horse. “What’s wrong with Comanche?”
“I’m not sure, Pa… he doesn’t want to go any farther? It’s as if he encountered an invisible wall of some sort.”
“The scent of the grizzly must still be lingering in the air,” surmised Jim, as he reached for his hidden rifle under the buggy’s seat. “Comanche is warning you of danger. You stay here. I’m going up to take a closer look.” Rocky backed Comanche up until his nervousness lessened, and then rested his shooting hand onto his rifle’s stock. Jim continued moving closer and closer to the trees, and then stepped down from the buggy. He then knelt down to take an even closer look at something. After several minutes he suddenly stood, then dusted his pants off at the knees.
“What is it, Pa?!” Shouted Rocky, as he slowly slid his rifle out of its leather holster attached to Comanche’s saddle. “Is it the poor elk?”
“N-No… It-It’s a dead grizzly bear!” replied Jim after lowering his rifle to arms length. “There must have been two grizzlies out here fighting last night.”
“Why would grizzlies be fighting?”
“It looks as though they may have been fighting over an elk. The ground has elk tracks all over. The other grizzly must have killed this one for the elk’s carcass.” Jim climbed back up into his buggy then headed toward Rocky and Comanche. “Well, you learned a valuable lesson today, son. Never make Comanche go where he doesn’t want to go. He sensed the dead grizzly behind the brush-pile. He probably would have saved your life if that would have been a live bear hiding in the brush.” Rocky and his pa turned their horses then went back up past the cabin, up to the beginning of the trail. They had almost made it to the peak when the chilling screams of an elk echoed out of the woods off to their right.
“Pa… it sounds like the grizzly is at it again,” softly spoke Rocky, temporarily stopping Comanche.
“Don’t worry, son, I can hear it! There’s no reason for the bear to be attacking another elk this soon…unless…”
“Unless what, Pa?” interrupted Rocky.
“Unless a bear is on a rampage… let’s move on, Rocky. We need to get out of this area and make our way to the Petersens.”
After reaching the Petersens’ cabin Rocky tied Comanche to the hitching post, and then made his way up onto the front porch. He started knocking on the door--but was a little over anxious.
“Not so hard, Rocky!” shouted Jim Topp under his breath. “I’m sure the Petersens don’t want you to knock their door down!”
“S-Sorry, Pa. I guess I got a little carried away.” Rocky knocked again, but this time did it a little softer. Jim also walked up the three steps or so leading onto the porch. He arrived at the cabin’s door just as it was starting to slowly-creak open.

“May I help you?” spoke a faint voice from inside the small opening in the door.
“Hello, Miss. My name is Jim Topp, and this is my son Rocky. Is the man of the house in?”
“Yes he is. Just a minute I’ll get him for you,” replied the young lady, as she slowly walked away, while leaving the cabin’s door slightly open. Jim Topp looked over and noticed Rocky staring through the opening in the doorway, as if he were in some type of trance.
“Are you okay, Rocky?” There was no response. Rocky was still staring through the door, watching the young lady as she walked across the room. “Rocky… Rocky!” quietly shouted Jim under his breath. “Remember; don’t look too eager to pay their price. We’ll have to barter with Mr. Petersen, to try and make the best deal possible, one we can afford.” Rocky was still speechless, and his mouth was hanging partially open.
“Hello there,” suddenly sounded a much lower voice from inside the door’s opening. “How may I help you?”
“My name is Jim Topp, and this is my son Rocky. I own the farm at the lower end of the valley.”
“Is there something wrong with your son, Jim?” asked the man of the house.
“He’s fine. I think it’s just the difference in altitude, being up here this close to the mountains,” smiled Jim, as he motioned sideways with his head toward the teenage girl - who was now on her way back to the front door.
“Oh, I see… the altitude has been known to do that up here, Jim,” laughed the cabin’s owner, as he opened the door wider. “I’m Matt Petersen, and this is my daughter Samantha.”
“Hello, Mr. Topp. I’m glad to meet you,” said the young lady, as she stuck her hand out to meet his.
“Pleased to meet you, Samantha,” replied Jim Topp.
“Hello, Rocky,” again spoke Samantha. “I’m glad to meet you, too.”
A mumbled reply came from Rocky. It was as if his mind and tongue were not communicating.
“Is Rocky okay, Mr. Topp…
“He’s fine, Sam,” interrupted Matt Petersen. “It’s just the altitude.” Samantha simply smiled at Rocky, and then walked away after folding her arms.
“We heard you might be selling your farm, Matt?” spoke Jim, as he removed his hat.
“Yes, I am going to sell it. Please, come inside.”
They both started in toward the kitchen, but Jim suddenly stopped, then looked back to see Rocky still standing out on the front porch.
“This is my wife Loretta, Jim. Meet Mr. Topp, Dear, and that’s his son Rocky out on the porch.”
“Is your son sick?” asked Loretta, while wiping her hands on her apron “He doesn’t look so good.”
“He’ll be fine, Loretta,” again smiled Matt, after giving her a little nudge, then looking toward Samantha - now putting up the breakfast dishes. “It’s just the altitude…”
“B-But of course,” smiled Loretta as she slightly shook her head side to side. “It does make a difference, being this high up in the valley, doesn’t it?”
“Please, Jim,” spoke Matt, “let’s sit at the table and discuss the farm.”
Rocky finally wandered in, after a few minutes or so, then joined them in the kitchen. He still couldn’t concentrate on the conversation - between Matt Peterson and his pa - about the farm. He was having too hard a time keeping his eyes from wandering in Samantha’s direction. Rocky had never seen anything or anyone so beautiful. How could Samantha be living in the same valley as me, thought Rocky, without my knowing about it?
”May I get you something to drink, Mr. Topp? A cup of coffee perhaps?” asked Samantha.
“That would be fine. Thank you, Samantha. It’s always good to be able to wash down the trail dust.”
“How about you, Rocky?” again spoke Samantha. “May I get you something?”
Rocky wanted to speak, but instead, only mumbled something that he didn’t even recognize.
What is the matter with me? Rocky again thought to himself, as he felt his face blush beet red. Settle down, and quit acting like a fool. She’s only a girl…

“A cold glass of water may help him, Samantha, if you please,” interrupted Jim. “It appears that the trail dust was worse than I had first thought.”
“Certainly, Mr. Topp,” smiled Samantha, and then turned, along with her floor length dress, to get Jim, Rocky, and her pa something to drink.
“Now; about the farm, Jim,” spoke Matt after taking a sip of his freshly poured cup of coffee. “I’m a veterinarian and need to move closer to town, so I can see my patients more often. The farm has proven to me it’s just too far from town. It’s too much for me to be traveling back and forth.” The two men talked for a couple hours about the farm, and then came to an agreement.
“Well, we better be heading for home, Rocky,” spoke Jim Topp. Rocky was still not paying much attention. He was much too busy catching glimpses of Samantha as she moved about.
“Rocky, are you ready to go?” asked Jim. “Rocky… It’s time to go!”
“Oh, y-yes, Pa. I-I’m ready?”
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Jim,” said Loretta. “And please give my regards to your wife Mary when you get home.”
“I will, Loretta, and it was a real pleasure finally meeting all of you. We should have met a long time ago. I’ll be seeing you again real soon though.”
Jim waited for Matt to walk with him out onto the porch, before mentioning the possibility of a rampaging grizzly on the prowl.
“I didn’t want to scare Loretta or Samantha, Matt,” softly spoke Jim. “But before we leave I want to let you know that there may be a killer grizzly roaming the valley. You’ll have to keep a sharp eye out for it.”
“Thanks for the warning, Jim,” replied Matt, after they had discussed the grizzly a while longer. “I’ll be on the look-out for it all right.”
Rocky was still looking at Samantha through the partially opened cabin door.
“It’s time to go, son… Rocky!”
“O-Okay, I-I’m coming!” Ricky’s feet started carrying him out across the porch toward the horses, but his head was still partially turned facing the cabin, watching Samantha as she also came to the front door. Rocky never saw the porch’s edge, let alone the steps. He suddenly went air-born, and in an instant found himself lying face down in the dirt, after tumbling over the edge.
“Boy, the altitude is really something up here isn’t it, Jim?” laughed Matt.
“It surely is,” chuckled Jim. “It surely is.” Matt and Loretta were still laughing after Rocky mounted up on his horse, and then started down the path toward the main trail.
Rocky finally came to his senses on the ride home, and realized he had made a total fool of himself.
“Did you see her, Pa?”
“See whom, son?”
“The Petersens’ daughter.”
“You mean… Samantha?”
“Yes, Pa,” responded Rocky, after adjusting himself in the saddle. “Don’t you think she’s the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen?”
“Well, your ma might have something to say about that one. But Samantha is a very pretty young lady.”
“She’s awfully smart too,” continued Rocky. “I can tell by the way…”
“Rocky,” Jim interrupted. “Don’t you want to talk about the farm?”
“Oh… of course… w-what about the farm? Is Mr. Petersen going to sell it?”
“Boy, you really didn’t know where you were, did you?”
“Well, is he going to sell it, Pa?”
“It’s already sold,” replied Jim, in a low-deliberate-voice.
“OH NO! Who did Mr. Petersen sell it to?”
“Matt sold his farm to some young-fellow who lives down at the bottom of the valley.”
Rocky - still uncertain of what his pa was trying to tell him - suddenly realized that he was the young fellow his pa was referring to.
“Are you serious, Pa?” excitedly spoke Rocky as he stood, stretching his legs in the stirrups.
“That’s right, son. The old Henley farm is finally going to be yours. Mr. Petersen gave us a great price. I don’t see any problems as to why you can’t buy it.”
“Yahoo!” shouted Rocky at the top of his lungs.
“Not so loud son! We don’t want to disturb the crazed grizzly, now do we?”
“S-Sorry, Pa. This seems like a dream. I just can’t believe the Henley farm is going to be mine some day, all mine!”
When they crested the top of the hill they heard the screams of yet another elk. This time the sound was coming from a large pine grove down across the valley to their right.
“The grizzlies after another elk,” said Rocky, pulling back on Comanche’s reigns. “That bear must be on a rampage, Pa!”
“Keep your eyes peeled for it,” spoke Jim, as he slowly began searching the area with his eyes.
After arriving back at their farm Jim filled Mary in on their visit with the Petersens--about the deal for Rocky to purchase the farm - and that he could buy it right away. One of the conditions of the sale, though, was to let the Petersens live there for a few more weeks, or at least until they found a suitable place closer to town.
“I told Matt that I didn’t see a problem with letting them stay there,” spoke Jim. “Do you, Rocky?”
“Not at all! Mr. and Mrs. Petersen can stay for as long as they want.”
“But what about Samantha, Rocky?” asked Jim with a smiley smirk.
“Oh, I-I almost forgot about her.”
“Who’s Samantha, Rocky?” asked Mary.
“She-She’s the Petersens’ daughter,” blurted out Rocky, as his face turned flush. “And Samantha can also stay at the farm for as long as she likes.”
“That’s what I thought,” chuckled Jim, leaning back in his chair. “And I’m not so sure, son… about you almost forgetting about her?”
“I-I didn’t really forget about her,” admitted Rocky, as his face turned even a deeper blood red. “I-I think I should go back up there first thing in the morning, though; to start on some of the repairs that will be needed, before winter hits again.”
“I think that’s a GREAT idea, too,” laughed Jim. “But don’t go too early, son, remember, Samantha needs her rest.”
After supper Jim talked more to Mary about Samantha. He also told her about how strangely Rocky had acted, about the altitude, and how the Petersens had laughed about it.
“Rocky, you be extra careful riding Comanche up the trail in the morning,” spoke Jim. “Especially with that killer bear lurking out there somewhere!”
“I will, and don’t worry, I’ll be real careful. I’ll have my rifle with me. Besides, Comanche can out run any bear, especially, a fat - old -grizzly!”
After checking on the livestock Rocky decided to turn in for the night - so he could get an early start in the morning to go up and see Samantha.
Jim decided to tell Mary about the rampaging grizzly bear - in case she would be outside hanging up cloths to dry, or doing other outside chores. He knew the elk were only keeping the deranged grizzly occupied for now, but eventually it would - more than likely - start looking elsewhere for its prey.
“Will the bear ever stop its killing, Jim?” asked Mary with much uncertainty, as she folded her hands in her lap.
“I’m afraid not. Once it loses interest in the elk it’ll probably start going after the livestock, and anything else that it comes across. But don’t worry, Mary. Before I let that happen, the grizzly will be dealt with.”
“You’re probably right, Jim. The bear will have to be destroyed for the safety of all.”
After discussing the grizzly for a while longer they too went to sleep, but not for long. They were awakened in the middle of the night by the screams from yet another elk. The cries of the desperate elk being chased went on throughout the night, finally stopping a half-hour before sunrise. Mary - after lying in bed wide awake - decided to get up and make Rocky something to eat before he left for the Petersens.
“Something smells awfully good, Ma.”
“Well, bacon and eggs have always been my favorite, ever since I was a little girl. There’s nothing that can compare with the smell of fresh bacon frying in the pan. Do you want another egg, Rocky?”
“No thanks, Ma. I want to get moving up the trail as soon as possible.” With that said, Rocky finished with his breakfast and gave his ma a big hug, and thanked her for getting up so early to cook for him. Rocky went to the barn and saddled-up Comanche, and then walked him back up to the cabin.
“Now, don’t forget, son, stay-on-the-trail!” sternly warned Jim. “And stay out of the woods.”
“I will, Pa, don’t worry. Comanche and I will be just fine. There’s not a bear alive that can catch Comanche anyway.”
It was just breaking daylight when Comanche and Rocky made it to the beginning of the pass. Comanche wanted to run so Rocky gave him free rein. Within seconds his golden stallion was creating a dust trail resembling a sandstorm. He was going a little too fast, though, so Rocky had to start slowing him back down. They had a long way to go to get to the Henley farm, and Rocky wanted to save some of Comanche’s energy, just in case they did run into the grizzly.
“Easy boy!” commanded Rocky, as he stood tall in the stirrups, allowing him to pull back even harder on the reins. Comanche finally slowed to a trot, then to a brisk walk. Rocky knew that at any given moment his horse could explode with power, but he kept the reins pulled in.
“That’s right, Comanche, just take it nice and easy boy!”
Rocky could hardly wait to see Samantha again, and to apologize for the way he had acted the day before. How could I have acted so foolish when I met Samantha yesterday? He kept thinking to himself. And how can I explain my stupid actions to her and her folks? Rocky was also thinking about how nice it was going to be, to own his own place. Comanche was still straining at the bit to get going, but Rocky continued holding him back. If the grizzly did come after them, Comanche would need all the stamina he could muster, to get them both far enough away to safety.
It was turning out to be a beautiful morning, but suddenly the screams of an elk - apparently being attacked - shattered the cool-crisp-mountain air. Rocky’s high spirited stallion went on guard immediately. He started prancing and high stepping up the trail almost sideways. Rocky could tell by the feel of Comanche’s tightened muscles under his saddle, and by the enlarged whiteness of his eyes that danger was indeed close - by. Rocky also knew there would be no rest in the valley, not with a nasty grizzly bear roaming around, torturing and killing anything coming too close to it.
Rocky always loved watching the grizzlies in the valley, but he also knew enough to stay at a safe distance from them. No one wanted to kill the rampaging bear, but it was starting to leave them no choice. It was making the valley an unsafe place for man and beast.