Of Demons And Bears

Of Demons and Bears

By: Faizan Ali

Riding through the ice and snow.

They should have gone away.

The sun was descending.

A lamp being extinguished slowly.

The cold of Canada began creeping into my bones.

My noble steed was perspiring in the icy wind from exertion.

A true champion among equestrians.

It was almost like he could see the challenge up ahead.

We rounded a corner together like normal.

However, my friend suddenly reared up and shrieked.

I was catapulted off, but braced my fall.

My ride galloped away at lightning speed.

I wondered if he got that speed from the lightning I then head overhead.

When I rose up I saw a monster feasting.

A dead reindeer lay on the frozen dirt.

A bloodthirsty grolar bear was having dinner.

Blood driveled from the beasts’ mighty fangs.

At first we both just stared.

The bear had eyes as black as the grave.

My eyes closed in disbelief.

I felt lost, alone, and controlled by my demons.

I heard the world shift and opened my eyes to see the giant come near.

At that moment, I looked death in the face.

I saw my whole life in the hands of the beast.

At that moment I prayed to my God.

Let me live and go back to my farm

My prayer was granted.

At that moment, a can of red gleamed from my pouch.

A spark of hope kindled in my soul.

Humans are the only mammal drawn to fire.

I pointed my salvation to the sky and fired.

A shower of sparks and smoke unleashed itself on the sky.

My deadly adversary opened his jaws to crush my neck.

Then it ran off with such a speed that would surprise Valerie.

I thought to myself then that I was alive.

And for the first time I told my demons not.