A Bear For Christmas

by Kassandra Cross

  “Wow,” Megan gasped. “It looks beautiful.”

  “Just wait until we get to the mountain,” Alyssa smiled.

  The huge train pulled into a small, deserted station at around one pm, and the girls hauled their suitcases, bags and steaming hot coffees onto the platform. Megan pulled her scarf tighter around her neck as she fastened her coat right up to the top to keep out the biting cold. It was snowing silently all around them, and Alyssa had a big grin on her face, as if she couldn’t help but let it burst free.

  “Isn’t this fantastic?” she beamed. “Just look at this place. It’s a lovely small town, a total winter wonderland. It’s how I’ve always imaged that Christmas should be. Almost as if we have woken up in the Swiss Alps and are about to picked up in a Reindeer pulled sled,” she spun around on the spot and squealed a little with excitement.

  “Okay,” Megan laughed. “I agree, you’re totally right.”

  “The mountain is that way…” Alyssa pointed over her shoulder into the flurry of snow that was so thick Megan could barely see anything. “And we need to find the bus point, because there’s no other way up there.”

  “The bus?” Megan laughed. “Not quite the reindeer pulled sled then?” she mused.

  Alyssa smirked and shrugged.

  Behind them, the only other people who were leaving the train also appeared to be skiers, and some of them had their own skis and boards with them, along with moonboots and padded suits.

  “They’re well prepared,” Megan said feeling self-conscious. Even though she had known where she was going, she still hadn’t brought a single thing with her that was suitable for any sort of winter sport.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve hired us everything,” Alyssa grinned. “You’re in safe hands you know, I am the ski master!” she laughed as she started to drag her suitcase towards the main station building.

  Once they got inside they were directed along with the others to a small group of people who were also ready to head up Bear Mountain. Megan began to feel nervous as she thought of the trip up the winding snowy roads.

  Surely it couldn’t be safe?

  What if the driver went too fast around a bend and they plummeted to the rocky, snow covered depths below?

  She felt her heart start to pound, and the all familiar rush of anxiety thumped through her veins. Since her experience with Cody, she had found herself becoming more nervous than usual, and it was beginning to take its toll on her.

  This is why you need this break Megan, she thought. You need to calm down and regroup. You need to become your own person again.

  She squeezed her hands together and breathed in and out deeply. She could do this. There was no way she going to let that man ruin her life.

  When the bus arrived, they all found seats, and Megan buckled up and rested her head on Alyssa’s shoulder. She closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep, her body and mind weary. She was tired after her night of anticipation and cheap wine drinking, and all she could think of was the end game. She could already see herself sitting by a roaring fire, putting her feet up and sinking into a deep relax.

  She woke with a start to the bus chugging to a halt. She slipped forward in her seat, looking around through half open eyes. She had slept the entire way up the mountain and had never been so relieved to have finally arrived.

  “We’re here,” Alyssa grinned. “It’s time to finally get this party started!”

  “Okay,” Megan laughed as she stretched out her arms and rolled her neck around her shoulders to loosen up. “Now I feel like I can get on board!”

  She stood up, grabbed her bags, and headed for the exit. Suddenly she was filled with excitement, and she couldn’t wait to see where they were staying.

  Bear Mountain was a ski resort that had been popular in Vermont for the past thirty years, but the hotels and cabins had recently been refurbished. When Alyssa had booked their trip she had managed to secure them a luxurious log cabin that had been decorated to the highest standard, and it had certainly paid off. Megan’s face lit up as she saw the roaring fire, the warm tartan blankets, candles, flat screen TV’s and huge, deep baths in the modern bathrooms. All of the cabins were made out of deep, warm woods, and they were even decorated for the holidays, with baubles, wreaths, and Christmas trees dotted around the main living areas. With one main tree taking pride of place in the tall, glass atrium as they walked in the front doors.

  Megan walked out of a pair of huge French doors and out onto the veranda and let her mouth sag open as she saw what was in front of her… their own private hot tub, nestled right there on the deck, looking out across the mountains.

  “Wow,” she whispered as she hugged her arms around herself.

  Never before had she felt so free, liberated, and in the midst of so much magic.

  She let her fingertips dip into the water underneath the cover and she grinned as she felt how warm it was, and saw the steam begin to rise. She looked down over the small little neighborhood of cabins that were dotted around them, and at the lights winding their way up the mountains where the ski lifts were still running, despite it already getting dark.

  When she got back inside, she wandered along the hallway to the bedroom, flung open the door and took a running leap.

  “This is amazing, Alyssa!” she screamed, jumping up and down on the soft super king-sized bed in her claimed room.

  “I told you you’d love it!” Alyssa said from the doorway, before she ran over, took a running jump, and lay down next to her as Megan bounced again, clapping her hands together and singing.

  “I’m so glad you convinced me to come here, it’s like nowhere I’ve ever seen before,” Megan said breathlessly. “I can’t wait to go into the town and explore… see the mountain and the slopes. It’s so exciting! I feel like we’ve been transported to another planet…”

  She flopped down onto the bed too, and both of the girls stared up at the ceiling, above Megan’s bed a big antler chandelier hung right there, sparkling bright.

  “You need this,” Alyssa smiled. “I wanted to get you away from all of what you’d been through with Cody. You didn’t deserve what happened with him, and I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “Thank you,” Megan had never been so grateful to have Alyssa as her best friend.

  Over the past few months she had been her absolute rock, and she had supported her more than she ever thought anyone would. Alyssa had really shown herself to be a true friend, and Megan knew just how lucky she was to have her in her life.

  “Let’s promise not to think or talk about Cody for the next two weeks, okay?” Alyssa said gently as she held out her pinky to hook with Megan’s.

  “Okay,” Megan smiled, as she hooked hers through too. “Promise.”

  “Great!” Alyssa beamed as she jumped up and headed towards the door. “I’m going to go unpack… Let’s be ready to go out for seven, okay?”

  “Okay,” Megan nodded.

  She watched as Alyssa disappeared down the hallway and then she rose to her feet. She knew exactly what she was going to do until it was time for them to leave.

  She wandered through to her en-suite bathroom and put on the low lights, before she walked around the rub and lit a few candles, as she turned on the taps and ran a huge, hot bubble bath. The scent was sweet and relaxing, and as she removed her clothes she felt as if she had suddenly found herself in a secret spa. She slipped into the water as some chill out music drifted from her iPod. She rubbed the bubbles all over her silky, soft skin, massaging her arms, legs and thighs whilst getting rid of the aches from travelling. She felt weightless in the water, the tub was so huge she could practically swim in it, and she dipped her head underwater, washing her hair and feeling really clean.

  She had always hated the grimy feeling that came with travelling, but after this bath, she felt as if she had just spent the entire day at a luxurious retreat.

  When she climbed out she wrapped herself in a big, fluffy towel, and crawled into bed. She
sighed and relaxed back, her whole body sinking into the mattress and lulling her into a sense of calm. She knew she had to get ready, but she just couldn’t help it… She closed her eyes again before drifting into a light, but peaceful sleep.

  She woke with a little start and looked around the room. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, feeling as if she had been massaged and moisturized, looked after and adored.

  “Bliss,” she whispered, as she climbed out of bed and stepped towards the windows.

  As she looked out through the curtains she had to pinch herself to make sure she was really there. The view from their log cabin was absolutely amazing. It was situated high up on the outskirts of a forest, and the snow was deep, fluffy and untouched all around them. Virgin snow, as her grandmother would have called it.

  She could see down the winding roads all the way to the small town at the center of the resort, and lights dotted through the dark, all down the swirling paths that led down to the bars, where laughter and music filtered up towards them from the crowds below. There were other cabins around them, all of them were different in shapes and sizes, but they all had their own private terrace complete with hot tubs. Megan noticed that hers and Alyssa’s felt more special than the rest because theirs had fairy lights and tiki torches decorating their veranda, and she smiled and hugged her arms around her body.

  She never would have chosen to come to a place like this but, now she was there, she felt happier and more at home than she had in a long time.

  She could finally begin to see light at the end of a very dark tunnel. The tunnel Cody had kept her in for far too long.

  “Are you ready?” Alyssa called through from the next bedroom.

  “Almost!” Megan lied through gritted teeth as she ran over to her suitcase and started pulling out the first things she could get her hands on.

  She settled on a low cut, black, long sleeved cashmere sweater. She pulled it over her head and down over her chest. It exposed her big, heaving breasts and emphasized them even more, making her waist look tiny and like the perfect hourglass. She found a pair of black, skin tight, leather leggings and slipped into them. She grinned as they clung to her in all the right places, making her pert and firm behind look even more ripe. She looked like a cross between a vampy cat woman and a dominatrix, and she smiled at herself in the mirror before pretending to meow.

  In this outfit, she felt ready to take on the world.

  She slapped on some deep red lipstick and mascara then flicked her hair until it was bouncy and full of volume.

  “Okay, ready!” She called through to Alyssa with a smoldering smile to herself in the mirror.

  And she really was. She was finally ready to see what Bear Mountain had to offer.

  Chapter Four

  All around them lights twinkled and glistened, and the moon shone down overhead. Christmas trees seemed to be everywhere, and the world around them was a smatter of red, blue, gold and green. Megan smiled as she looked down at the town, it was picture perfect, just like a postcard. She had never seen anywhere so beautiful, and she knew that they had made the right decision by spending the holidays somewhere as magical as Bear Mountain. It really was the perfect place to escape the real world and forget about all of the troubles she had been having back at home.

  The girls held onto each other as they carefully walked down the sloping, snowy paths to the town center. Even though they were well lit, the ice and snow were making it almost impossible to not go sliding down onto their knees. When they reached the main stretch of road it had been gritted with salt, and so they could finally walk without looking like baby deer’s that were about to lose their footing.

  Megan’s eyes were wide as she looked at the storybook buildings and traditional pubs. They were all wooden with thatched roofs, and the smell of cookie dough and hot chocolate was heavy in the air. She couldn’t believe somewhere like this existed in Vermont, it was utterly magical.

  Alyssa held onto her hand and guided her into the town square, people were dotted around outside, sat between pubs and bars, drinking pints of ale and eating a hog roast that was being cooked on a spit in the very center.

  “The last time I was here was about six years ago,” Alyssa said, as she looked around. “But I seem to remember that place being really good fun!” She pointed to a traditional looking ale house, full to the brim with men and the sound of laughter. Outside a bonfire was burning brightly, and a little circle of women were carol singing and entertaining the tourists.

  “Looks good to me,” Megan grinned. “But please do me a favor and don’t try to set me up with any guys tonight. We have two weeks for that, tonight is all about getting settled and having fun.”

  “Exactly,” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “Just chill out and be friendly, now come on!” she pulled Megan towards the door, as their boots crunched over the frozen snow.

  They pushed the door open, and inside was dark, with the only light coming from oil lamps and candles. A juke box played in the corner, and was blasting out country music. Megan wasn’t used to places like this. Being from a city she was used to dance music and happening bars, but this little pub seemed backward. She thought on it for a moment as she kept looking around and decided that it was in a good way. She felt at ease here, like there was no pressure for her to be anything but herself. She even would have felt comfortable coming out in really casual clothes and no make-up, she looked at herself in the mirror behind the bar and suddenly felt overdressed. All the men in there were in jeans and plaid shirts, and the women were all wearing their skiwear, or dressed down in turtle necks and leggings. She blushed and pushed her hair behind her ears, a nervous trait she had had since she was a child, and was still having trouble shaking.

  “What are we drinking?” Alyssa slammed her hands down on the bar top. “Beers? Shooters? I’m game for anything!”

  “Definitely no shooters,” Megan laughed as she sat down at one of the high bar stools. “A beer will be just fine.”

  Alyssa saluted her decision, and ordered the drinks before she sat down next to her. Megan looked around the bar, and at the men singing, dancing and playing pool. It was so relaxed, it was the sort of place she wished she could visit at home. It felt as if there was absolutely no pressure, and was filled with lots of locals who either already knew each other, or all just wanted to get to know people. Megan recalled how back in DC she regularly felt lonely, even in a room full of people, and she felt something warm inside her heart. She knew that she could easily move and be happy in a place like Bear Mountain.

  The barman spotted the girls and came over to serve them, he opened their beers, passed them over the top of the counter and started his small talk.

  “Have you girls just arrived?” He asked as he chewed some gum.

  “Yeah, just this afternoon,” Alyssa smiled as she took a swig from her bottle.

  “Enjoying it so far?” he picked up dirty glasses and started to clean them with a bar mop.

  “It’s great,” Alyssa grinned. “I’ve been here before, about six years back, but this is Megan’s first time.”

  She turned to Megan and smiled.

  “Oh yeah?” the barman leaned forward. “And what do you think?”

  “I love it,” Megan beamed. “I’ve never been anywhere like this before, and I’m having a great time.”

  “Good,” he nodded. “Just be careful up the mountain when you’re on the slopes, make sure you stick to the trails…” he raised his eyebrows and his tone was ominous. Megan felt a little flash of anxiety as she caught the look in his eye, but Alyssa seemed to just brush him off.

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about us, I ski all the time,” Alyssa smiled proudly.

  “I’m not talking about the conditions,” he chuckled, as he leaned in a litter closer. “We’ve got some nasty bears up there. Two girls like you, alone, you’d be perfect pray for them…” he clicked his jaw. “People disappear up in these parts… why do you think we have the name?”

&nb
sp; “Bear Mountain?” Megan asked with confusion, not thinking it was that much of a terrible name at all.

  “The locals call it Lost Bear Mountain,” he grinned slightly. He was either having lots of fun with them, or he had perfected this story so much it was one of his favorite things to do to new people in town.

  “Lost Bear…?” Megan asked under her breath.

  “Yup,” he said, as he lifted a bottle of beer to his lips and took a swig. “Lost Bear, because they ain’t normal bears. These bears are like the most vicious bears you can think of and then some. They prowl here at night, in the dark, looking for unsuspecting people like you… And it’s well known that they can make people disappear.”

  The girls were silenced for a moment before Alyssa started laughing and rolling her eyes, but Megan felt a cold chill slip over her. She didn’t like the sound of that at all.

  Lost Bear Mountain…

  A place where people disappeared.

  Why would the barman be saying it if it wasn’t true? Surely the last thing he would want to do would be to drive tourism out of his town?

  “Oh come on!” Alyssa howled. “There are bears in every forest, and it doesn’t mean we’re going to get dragged off and eaten in the middle of the night. Plus, we won’t be skiing after dark anyway, so where’s the danger?”

  The barman took another swig of his beer and shrugged his shoulders.

  “They roam the mountain at all times, but they’ve been known to come down here once it’s quiet,” he rubbed another glass and set it down. “I’m just giving you the heads up. I wouldn’t want anyone to say you hadn’t be warned…” he raised his eyebrows and stepped back, turning slightly and leaning over the bar to serve another customer.

  Megan’s heart was pounding, and her palms were sweating. She didn’t know why, but what he had said had truly shaken her, and now she felt in danger.