The Returners Read Online Free PDF Page A

trees no buildings, nothing but grass and open space. He was confused and kept turning and trying to look around, but couldn't see anything. It was like he was caught in a giant field with no visible end. The sky above him loomed dark and ominous.
    A dog began to bark, but it sounded miles away. He began to run towards the sound of the barks, but couldn't tell exactly where they were coming from. They must be coming from Flash, because he was nowhere to be seen. Flash never left his side, panic began to set in, something was wrong.
     
    Jessica could now see what the dog was barking at. A small black bear had wandered into the campsite about fifty yards down the stream. She could barely make it out, but could definitely see what it was. It must have gotten wind of the fish cooking over the fire and been drawn to it.
    Weeks ago she had seen bear tracks down here in the melting snow. This was probably the one that had made them, and his territory. The .22 rifle wouldn't be any good against the thick skin and skull of the bear. The best she might do is scare it off, but more than likely would just make it angry. She was way out of the range of her 9mm pistol.
    A few minutes before the bear arrived she'd made the decision to take a chance and approach the man. If the situation went bad she would defend herself, but she had to take the risk the man was good. Now she didn't know what to do, the bear was only about fifteen yards from him now. The beagle stood barking and growling, yet he still did not wake. Pulling the 9mm from its holster, Jessica slipped the safety off and ran towards the opening.
     
    Jacob stopped, putting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. It seemed as though he had been running for hours, every muscle in his body ached. The surrounding landscape was still nothing but a large green field of grass. The barking was getting louder, and he could now hear growls mixed in with them, but Flash was still nowhere in sight.
    Scanning the area he hoped to catch a glimpse of his dog somewhere on the vast open plain. From out of nowhere a heavy fog rolled in and engulfed him, he couldn't see more than few feet now. The air became thick and heavy making his lungs ache. Jacob started to run, but after only a few steps his body slammed into an invisible wall. It felt like someone had punched him in the gut and dropped him to the ground.
     
    Jessica was now only feet from the opening, jumping over a fallen log she burst into the clearing. The bear turned towards her, rose to its back feet and let out a loud roar before dropping down and running towards her. Jessica watched as the little beagle valiantly charged towards the bear barking and growling. It's teeth bared in defiance as it leapt towards the bear. The dog was swatted away like a rag doll and flew through the air, crashing to the ground several feet away.
    The dog had taken attention off her long enough for her to take action. She stopped and got into the shooting stance her father had taught her. It was a quick natural reaction her brain didn't even have time to process. Aiming for the heart of the bear she squeezed the trigger.
     
    Jacob lay on the ground trying to get his bearings when the loudest clap of thunder he had ever heard echoed through the sky. He covered his ears and closed his eyes as the sonic boom seemed to make the earth shake under him. A second clap of thunder roared, this time his eyes opened. He was back by the stream and there was a woman standing about ten yards from him with a gun raised.
    She wasn't pointing it at him and he turned to see what she was aiming at. It was then he saw the bear charging. The sound of the gun rang out and the bear crashed to the ground a few yards from him.
    "Holy shit!" Jacob said as he continued to watch the bear. Not daring to take his eyes from it.
    The bear made one last attempt to get to its feet as the woman took a few steps forward and fired two more shots. It slumped to the ground in a