Catherine's Travels

Catherine and her family flee the ravaged, war torn country of Austria in pursuit of freedom and the American dream. Natives end the family's quest leaving Catherine to fend for herself in the wilderness.

The river was lovely this time of day. The rays of the sun danced on the riverbank as the leaves swayed in the soft morning breeze. Catherine could swear the trees were whispering secrets to each other as the breeze blew through them. Surely there is not a more peaceful place anywhere in America, she thought as she arranged her tools to prepare for her self-appointed task.

A blood-curdling scream ripped through the air and a deafening growl shook the trees. Catherine's blood ran cold and a chill crept up her spine. She grabbed her weapons and ran toward the sound. The scream was closer this time and the growl made the hairs on the nape of her neck stand up. "What could be happening?" She asked herself, as she ran along the riverbank shifting her quiver to a comfortable and easily accessible position across her shoulder. Her rifle was primed and she carried it in her right hand as she ran.

She rounded a bend and came upon a sight that caused her mouth to go dry and her heart to skip a beat. There in front of her was a bear! On the ground was a man, bleeding and unconscious. The bear raised his head and looked her right in the eyes causing her throat to tighten and sweat broke out on her forehead. There was blood dripping from his mouth. He shook his head and made strange "Hmpf Hmpf" noises.