Time slowed as he reached into his pack for a piece of dried fish. His hands trembled uncontrollably, heartbeat thundering in his ears. The bear inched closer, nostrils flaring at the salt-laced scent. Nolan’s vision blurred with fear, yet something deeper whispered that he must act.
Against all better judgment, he stretched out his arm. The bear leaned in, shoulders tense, ready to bolt or attack. Nolan could barely swallow. He felt heat radiating from its huge body, smelled its pungent breath, and tried not to imagine those lethal jaws snapping shut.