Without Law 7

by Eric Vall

  Eric Vall

  Chapter 1

  It was a cool fall morning, and the wind blew crisp air across my face. I looked over to my companion, Bailey, the small blonde girl crouched next to me with her eye in her rifle scope.

  “Where do you aim on a turkey?” she whispered.

  “The head,” I said, and I smiled at the pretty blonde.

  She nodded and adjusted her rifle, then she glanced over to me, and I nodded.

  Her rifle went off with a loud bang a split second after my own, and the flock of turkeys dispersed, except for two that were missing heads.

  “Nice shot,” I complimented.

  “Do you think Winchester will fetch them?” Bailey asked, and she reached down to pet the black-headed dog next to her.

  “That’s why we brought him,” I said. “Let’s see. Give him a command.”

  “Winchester, fetch,” the blonde ordered, and the brindle dog took off running.

  Winchester retrieved one of the turkeys and started back toward us.

  “Good boy!” Bailey called out with a smile, and that caused Winchester to get happy, so he dropped the turkey a few yards away from us, then ran to Bailey to get pets. “No buddy, you gotta bring it to us.”

  “Winchester, fetch,” I commanded, and he retrieved the turkey once more and set it in front of us, then he sat, tongue lolling out of his mouth, and his tail wagging. “Good boy.”

  “I got him excited,” Bailey said with a frown.

  “It’s okay.” I smiled at the small, blonde hippie. “Just wait for him to finish the action before you reward him.”

  “Right,” she said.

  “Try again,” I said.

  “Okay.” She nodded and she pointed toward the other turkey. “Winchester, fetch.”

  He took off running once more and retrieved the second turkey and set it at Bailey’s feet.

  “Good boy,” the blonde cooed, and she reached down to pet the dog, then she looked over to me. “Should we get these back to campus?”

  “I think we should.” I stood up.

  We had gone a ways into the forest behind the college campus where we lived, and it was about a two-mile trek back to campus, but the scenery was wonderful. The leaves had changed for fall, and they were starting to fall from the trees, the ground was littered with pine needles, and I carried the bloody birds and admired the sunshine on my blonde companion’s hair.

  “It’s so pretty out here,” Bailey said, and she looked up to the trees.

  “It is.” I smiled back.

  “I’m honestly amazed at how much I enjoy hunting now,” Bailey commented.

  “It makes sense,” I said with a shrug. “You’re the best shot we have, it seems like a natural progression to like using that talent.”

  “Yeah.” She smiled. “But what I really like is that we use the whole turkey.”

  “We try our best,” I said.

  “And it’s not like going to the grocery store to get meat,” the blonde said, and I was reminded that she was vegan before the world went to shit.

  “Is that why you were vegan?” I asked. “Because you had to buy meat from the grocery store.”

  “Well, yeah.” Bailey nodded. “I mean, the meat industry is so cruel to animals, but hunting for yourself, it’s like… even though we’re still killing the animal, it feels better knowing that it had a good life beforehand, ya know?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “This is nature, survival of the fittest.”

  “Right!” Bailey exclaimed, and she turned to look at me excitedly. “I mean, it’s not like shoving an innocent animal into a cage just to kill it later, we have to work for it, and that turkey was free before we got it.”

  “There is something satisfying about catching your own meat,” I agreed.

  “Yeah,” the beautiful blonde said. “It really makes you appreciate the process more.”

  “I’m just glad you made the decision on your own to eat meat again.” I said. “I don’t know how you would’ve survived these conditions without the extra protein. You’re not exactly a large person.”

  “Hey!” Bailey laughed in mock outrage, then she flexed her arms. “I’m strong.”

  “You are strong,” I chuckled. “But you’re no match for me.”

  I scooped the pretty blonde up with one arm and held her against my side.

  “Stop it,” she giggled and pushed against me. “I’m gonna hit you with a turkey.”

  “Bring it on,” I chuckled and I continued to hold her for a moment more while she giggled and wriggled against me.

  “Wait,” Bailey said very seriously, and we both grew quiet so I could hear Winchester growl.

  I quickly set the blonde down and pulled out my rifle.

  “What is it, boy?” I asked Winchester, but he didn’t move, he stood looking into the trees with the hair on his back raised, then I heard a rustle not far from us, and Winchester let out two swift barks.

  “Heel,” Bailey commanded, and Winchester backed up to her, but didn’t lower the fur on his back. “What do you think it is?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said, “but be ready.”

  We both watched the treeline with our rifles aimed, and I listened closely to see if I could figure out what animal it was.

  “Cougar?” Bailey asked in a whisper.

  “Doubt it,” I said, and I shook my head, but then I heard the distinct sound of a bear snort. “Shit.”

  “What?” Bailey asked with wide eyes.

  “It’s a bear,” I whispered.

  “Shit,” Bailey repeated my curse.

  “Be ready to shoot,” I told her, and I could hear the sounds in the trees growing closer. “Stand your ground, and aim for the head.”

  “What about Winchester?” Bailey asked, a slight panic in her voice.

  “He’ll be okay,” I told her. “Just don’t shoot him.”

  The moment was intense as we stood and watched the treeline. The noises of the bear grew louder, and I could feel my heart rate climb with a loud ‘tha-thump’ that rang in my ears, then all of a sudden, it grew quiet.

  “Are we in the clear?” Bailey whispered.

  “Shh,” I said, and I kept my eyes trained on the trees, but I could still hear Winchester growling next to me.

  Then the bear shot out of the woods and raced toward the three of us.

  And it was a big one.

  I took aim and let off a round, but only managed to hit an ear. I heard Bailey take a shot as well, but she cursed, and I figured she had missed as well.

  We each took two more shots, and we had injured the beast, but it was still coming for us.

  “Go left!” I yelled to Bailey, and she turned and ran. Winchester followed her, and I ran too, but to the right, then I flipped back around to see which direction the bear had chosen.

  It was heading toward Bailey, but she had stopped and she let off a round into its chest. I saw blood spill from the animal, but it wasn’t down for the count yet.

  “Make yourself big!” I called out.

  “What?” she yelled back, and she kept firing while I ran toward the bear from behind.

  “Make yourself big!” I yelled again, and Bailey widened her stance. “Yell at it!”

  “Ahhhh!” Bailey screamed at the bear, and the beast stood on its hind legs and growled at her. It was huge for a black bear, it had to be seven feet tall standing on its back feet, and it was definitely angry. It probably was getting ready to hibernate, and we had wandered right into its territory.

  I readied my rifle and tried to get a good shot. Winchester barked and snarled at the beast, and Bailey continued to scream. I steadied my gun and waited for the beast to throw its head back once more in a roar, then I pulled the trigger, and it went down with a heavy t
hump.

  “Is it dead?” Bailey asked after a moment of quiet.

  “Should be,” I said, but I moved toward the bear and kicked it to be sure. “Yeah, we’re clear.”

  “Oh, thank God,” Bailey gasped as she put a hand on her chest.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, and I rushed over to her and put my hands on the sides of her face.

  “Yeah,” the pretty blonde sighed, and her small pink lips parted to take in ragged breaths. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “Okay,” I said with a nod, and I kissed her forehead, then I bent down to pet Winchester. “Good boy.”

  “I was surprised he didn’t attack the bear,” Bailey said, and she leaned down to pet the dog as well.

  “He is well trained,” I agreed. “And he might have understood that was a match he wouldn’t win.”

  “Yeah,” Bailey said. “I mean he sees us hunt all the time.”

  “I bet if the bear had gotten close to you, that would’ve been when he attacked,” I said.

  “You think?” Bailey asked, and her blonde brows pulled together in a puzzled look.

  “Yes,” I said. “He’s very protective over you.”

  “He’s protective over everyone,” Bailey said with a small smile.

  “Yes,” I said. “But he followed you, not me.”

  “That’s true.” Bailey frowned slightly. “He still loves you, though.”

  “I know,” I chuckled. “But we all know who his favorite is.”

  “I wouldn’t say I’m his favorite,” the pretty blonde said, and she looked away, but I saw her smile before she did.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I laughed. “Let’s skin this sucker.”

  “Okay.” Bailey nodded, and she reached for her hunting knife on her hip. “How are we going to get it home, though? I mean, this thing is huge.”

  “Good point,” I said, and I pursed my lips.

  “Should we go get the others?” Bailey asked. “We can grab the ATVs.”

  “Good plan,” I said. “Let’s find our turkeys.”

  We gathered up the two dead turkeys that had been dropped when we were attacked, then we started back toward campus.

  “That was intense,” Bailey said after a minute. “I’m still shaking.”

  “I’m just glad you’re okay,” I said, and I looked her over once more for injuries.

  “I’m fine,” she said, and she waved her hand at me. “Just still on edge.”

  “I’m glad I was here,” I said with a frown. “I know you girls are capable, but bears can be difficult.”

  “Why the hell is it always me and the bear?” Bailey scoffed.

  “It was you that was cornered last time, wasn’t it?” I mused.

  “Yeah!” she exclaimed in outrage. “Am I some sort of bear magnet?”

  “You do smell really good.” I smiled, then I flashed her a wicked grin. “You taste pretty good too.”

  “Oh my God,” Bailey chuckled. “You’re terrible!”

  “Yes,” I laughed. “But I’m very proud of how you handled yourself today.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked. “You were the one that took it down.”

  “Yes.” I nodded. “But you held your ground when I told you to, and that is a difficult thing to do when coming face to face with a creature that big.”

  “I wanted to run so bad,” Bailey chuckled.

  “Of course you did.” I grinned. “But you didn’t, and you kept shooting. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks,” the pretty blonde said. “And thank you for saving me.”

  “That’s my job,” I said, and I smiled back at her.

  “Yeah,” Bailey chuckled. “But still, I’m glad you were here today.”

  “You could’ve handled it on your own,” I told her. “But I’m glad you didn’t have to.”

  “I don’t know.” Bailey smiled. “Bears are pretty horrifying. They’re cute, but in a ferocious sort of way.”

  “They are not cute,” I laughed.

  “They so are,” the blonde disagreed. “They have tiny little eyes, and their noses are so big and black.”

  “Tiny eyes?” I asked with a raised brow. “That’s what makes them cute?”

  “Well, yeah,” the blonde said.

  “Rats have tiny eyes, too,” I chuckled. “Are they cute?”

  “Yes,” Bailey said, matter-of-factly.

  “No,” I laughed. “Rats are not cute.”

  “Have you ever held a rat?” Bailey asked.

  “No,” I shook my head.

  “Then you couldn’t know.” The blonde shrugged.

  “If you say so,” I laughed.

  Bailey and I made our way through the forest, and we took turns throwing a stick for Winchester as we walked. It took us about half an hour to make it back to campus, and I threw the stick once more for Winchester where it landed past the tree line by campus.

  “Winchester!” I heard Rolly exclaim. “Hey boy! Where’s Bailey and Tav?”

  The black headed dog ran back to us and barked happily.

  “Hey,” I called out. “We’re here.”

  “Good thing,” Rolly chuckled. “It would be strange if he figured out how to throw the stick for himself.”

  “He’s smart,” Bailey laughed as we walked through the tree line and came face to face with Rolly. “But I don’t think he’s that smart.”

  “Probably right,” Rolly said. “Coffee is made if you want some.”

  “Hey guys!” Paige called from the fire pit after she saw us.

  “Breakfast is on its way!” Tara called out.

  “Looks like you had a good hunt,” Anna said as we walked toward the girls, each of us carrying a dead turkey.

  “This is nothing,” I said.

  “What do you mean?” Paige asked with wide eyes.

  “We got attacked by a bear,” Bailey said.

  “Again?” Tara asked incredulously.

  “Man, they really like you, Bailey,” Paige, the chestnut brunette laughed.

  “Shut up,” Bailey snickered.

  “So, where’s the bear then?” Anna asked, and she leaned to look behind me.

  “We have to go get it,” I said. “There was no way we could carry it on our own.”

  “Let’s grab the ATVs,” Paige offered.

  “I need to stay here,” Tara said, and the other girls gave her a sardonic look.

  “What? I’m cooking,” she pleaded.

  “Alright,” Anna chuckled at the platinum blonde. “You stay here, we’ll go do the dirty work.”

  “That’s all I ask,” Tara said with a mischievous smile.

  “Fine,” Paige laughed. “But you’re going to miss the bear story.”

  “No fair,” Tara pouted. “I am making breakfast after all.”

  “There’s not much to tell,” I laughed. “But we’ll wait until we get back so everyone can hear. I’m sure Rolly would rather stay here as well.”

  “Not if you need me,” the old man offered.

  “We’ll be fine,” Bailey said. “We’re just going to grab the bear and come straight back.”

  “Let’s go,” I said, and I headed toward the ATVs.

  Bailey and I hopped on one, and Anna and Paige hopped on the other. We took off back the way we had come, with Winchester leading the way, but I stopped once we got close to the bear carcass.

  “Wow,” Anna said, and she whistled low as she walked around the dead beast.

  “I think this is even bigger than the last one,” Paige said, wide-eyed.

  “I think you’re right,” I said. “This one is nice and fat from getting ready to hibernate.”

  “Right.” Paige nodded. “I bet it was pretty pissed you guys were in its territory right before it went to sleep for winter.”

  “It was not happy,” Bailey said dryly.

  “Let’s get this guy home,” I chuckled and I bent down to lift the beast.

  We loaded the bear onto the back of one of the ATVs and used some rope to s
ecure him, I had Bailey drive that vehicle since she was the smallest, and Anna and Paige rode with me back to campus. Once again, Winchester darted through the trees ahead of us, just a dog happy to run through the woods.

  “That thing is huge!” Tara said after we parked the ATVs.

  “It’s pretty big,” I agreed. “We should start cleaning it.”

  “I’ll do it,” Paige offered with a grin.

  “I’ll help,” I said. “With the two of us, it shouldn’t take long.”

  “Breakfast is ready,” Tara said. “Do you guys want to eat first?”

  “We should probably get this bear cleaned,” I said, then I thought for a moment. “Who should be on guard duty right now?”

  The girls said nothing, but they all looked at Tara.

  “Okay, I’m going,” the platinum blonde said, and she threw her hands up over her head. “Call me when you guys are ready to eat.”

  “Tara,” I called out, and she turned to look at me like maybe she was in trouble, but I smiled at her instead. “Thank you for making breakfast.”

  “No problem,” the platinum blonde said.

  “But,” I said with a raised brow. “Don’t shirk your guard duty. Next time just ask someone to cover for you while you cook.”

  “Right,” she said, and she blushed bright pink. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, then I pointed to the roof. “Now get your butt up there.”

  “Yes sir,” Tara said with a sloppy salute.

  “While you guys do that,” Bailey started. “I’ll go feed the horses and check their water.”

  “I’ll help,” Anna offered, and the two girls started toward our makeshift horse pen.

  “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll finish my coffee,” Rolly said, but he looked slightly embarrassed about it.

  “No worries,” I said with a smile at the old man. Rolly was in his seventies, he had a heart condition, and he worked his ass off damn near every day. I didn’t mind if he wanted to savor his coffee in the morning.

  “Let’s do this.” Paige grinned at me, then she looked at the bear with excitement.

  “Do you remember how to do it?” I asked.

  “Somewhat,” she said, and she pursed her lips. “But I recall it being somewhat tricky last time.”

  “Well,” I started. “Tell me how you think we should do it.”

  “Start by cutting out the entrails,” the brunette said, and she studied the carcass.