It's Working! It's Working!

Ernest staggered a few steps. He leaned against the nearest tree, panting. To his utter horror, he heard a low rumble and a draw of breath. He spun around. His furry attacker lumbered towards him, letting out another low growl. As quickly as he could, he limped away, trying to fing his was out of the dense forest.

Ernest felt the unexpected sting of bear claws sink into the flesh on his back. The blow caused him to fall face down on the grassy forest floor right in front of a tree. He scrabbled at the grass and tree roots, trying despretly to muster the strength to get up.

When he finally did, he found himself face-to-face with the huge brown bear. Ernest glanced around, his pulse raced. The tree's roots were about fifty centimeters above the ground. There was not enough time to leap over them. The bear was too close!

Somewhere in the background Ernest heard a swiss of air. However, he ignored it, thinking it was just his imagination.

There was only one thing he could think of to save himself. Expiring every last ounce of his energy, he shouted with all his might at the bear, and made as much noise as he could. The second he shouted, the bear jerked, shocked, amd froze in mid-air for a second. It's working! It's working! Ernest thought to himself, overflowing with relief and joy. The animal tottered on one hind paw before falling forwards and lying limp on the dew covered grass, an arrow pierced into its back. There, about ten meters away from him, stood Ernest's saviour.

by elizabeth