The Bear

The bear sat in the corner. I couldn’t move for fear of waking him. Even though his eyes were closed I felt his stare, burning right through me. How long could I stay here? How long until he would wake up? All I could hear was my heart thumping in my chest. It was so loud I was sure it would wake him. But he just stayed there in the corner, so dangerously still. Did I dare to move? No, he would surely wake up then. I would be done for. I must wait until help comes. But who would help me? Maybe the bear would just go away. No, that would not happen. As soon as he woke up he would see me, and that would be it.

I turned away from him but I could still feel his closed eyes burning into me. Was he awake already and just playing with me? I did not want to turn back, but I knew I had to. I wanted to know when it was going to happen. I turned back. Still he sat there, menacing in sleep. How long would this continue? I was aching from being in the same position for so long, but knew I could not move. I would just have to hope. Would anyone come?

I heard a creaking sound. My heart jumped. Was he finally awake? Was this it? Yet he remained still. And then that creaking sound again, but louder. And again, louder still. It came at regular intervals. Was someone coming to help me? But what if he woke before they got here. And how could they help me even if they did get here in time? Was there any hope? The creaking seemed so close now. The door stirred. I held my breath and closed my eyes, not wanting to see him wake and see his eyes. It stayed like that for what seemed an eternity, trying to block out all around me. But nothing happened. Was I to be saved? Or would I open my eyes and see him waiting for me, staring. But I could not hear anything. Wait, yes I could. He was awake. Oh no this was it! But no, it did not sound like him. It was a voice. A soft voice. I knew that voice. I decided to open my eyes. My mother was standing over me. She spoke; “Why are you all huddled in the corner like that looking all scared?” I glanced towards the bear but he was still there, lifeless. My mother bent down and picked him up. “Come on, let’s go downstairs,” she said, “and we take your teddy with us”.

© David Friesen 2005