“Faster,” said Caleb.

“We don’t want the cops’ attention,” said Reese, picking up the speed.

They’d all piled into the pick-up truck and headed to the place Joe said they’d probably find the rogue bear. It was a sacred place the bears visited at least a few times in their lives—when they mated, after the birth of their cubs, and for spiritual rebirth.

They’d left David behind to care for the bear females until they returned. After seeing the dead, mutilated bodies, his ...