I was out wandering in the NewForest, just the usual sort of walkquiet, the scent of pine, fresh air, birds singing away. It was all calm until I heard a sharp snap of twigs right behind me.
I spun around and froze. One after another, a pack of wolves slipped out from the trees. There were at least eight of them, grey shadows gliding over the fallen leaves, getting closer. At first I thought they were just passing by, but then I saw they were heading straight for me.
My chest went cold. I bolted for the nearest tree, and my rucksack slipped off my shoulder, landing in the grass. Clinging to the bark, I scrambled up, feeling my arms shake.
The wolves surrounded the trunk, their low growls merging into one terrifying chorus. One of the beasts leapt, clamped its teeth on my boot and hauled me down. I let out a scream, broke free, and barely managed to stay upright. My heart was pounding like it might burst out of my chest.
I knew I couldnt hold on for long. My phone was still in the pack, and help was miles away.
Then, from deep in the woods, a sound rolled that made the hair on my arms stand up. A deep, rumbling growlfar louder and lower than any wolfcame as if the earth itself were speaking.
The wolves tensed, ears perked, bodies coiled. Just a heartbeat later a massive shape emerged from the shadows of the trees.
A bear stepped onto the clearing.
He moved slowly but with confidence, each step echoing like a drum in my chest. He stopped a few paces from the pack and let out a roar so powerful the leaves shivered and the birds scattered from the branches.
The wolves jerked. One tucked its tail, another backed away, and within seconds the whole pack disappeared into the undergrowth as if theyd never been there.
The bear was left alone. He lifted his massive head, glanced updirectly at me. His gaze was heavy, not angry. We stared at each other for a few seconds, then the bear gave a low grunt, turned, and slipped back into the forest, melting among the trees.
I was left perched on a low branch, unable to move. Id survived only because another predator showed up at the right moment. As the panic slowly ebbed, I clambered down, grabbed my pack, and looked the way the bear had gone.
Thank you, I whispered.
The forest was silent, save for the wind rustling the leaves and, far off, a distant owl hooting.
Since that day Ive returned to the NewForest often, leaving a slice of bread and a drizzle of honey on the clearing. And whenever the mist rolls low over the ground, it feels like warm, knowing eyes are watching from the trees.
Maybe it was just a coincidence. Or maybe there really is something out there looking out for me.
