Bear Flesh Delights

“If it’s okay with the lady,” Joe added, smiling wickedly.

It was roughly noon when the second gathering of the Bear Clan happened. This time, most of the members arrived in their human forms, and their faces were grim as they discussed what was to be done about the coyotes.

“Since I wasn’t mating with anybody last night,” said Kyle with a smirk, “I took the opportunity to see if something could be done to help Judy Bench and her lover escape the clutches of the rest of the Harpers. Of course, there were at least a hundred coyotes there since it was a festival night, but most of them were intoxicated beyond belief or screwing each other’s’ brains out, so it was easy enough to sneak into their lodge. You’ll be pleased to know that I have brought both Judy Bench and Seth Harper here. The two of them are now safely ensconced inside our own camp.”

“Judy is here?” Amelia gasped with surprise.

“Yes, she is, and she’s also more than willing to disclose everything she’s learned about the Coyote Clan and all of the toxic waste that’s been buried on their land. Apparently, this has been going on for quite a few years.”

Skylar frowned. “You don’t have to tell me that,” he said. “I’m the one who’s been trying to stop it.”

“Understood, Skylar,” said Kyle. “But if we’re lucky, it may not be too much longer before you succeed.”

“I hope so,” he said with a smile. “There’s a lot of animals and humans who could benefit if I do.”

Just then, Judy and Seth came out of a small tent that had been hastily erected on the field. They both waved and smiled. Seth came up to speak, which had obviously been a pre-planned event since Kyle didn’t seem surprised.

“I know that the bears and the coyotes haven’t gotten along for many years,” he told them. “I know that I have done some things that I am really ashamed of, but it was all done out of fear. But no more. Because I have left the Coyote Clan, and I have drank from the Bear Clan cup, me and my new bride with me. We are no longer a part of that Clan, but have come together with yours. And together, we’re going to stop my father and brothers from continuing to pollute Moosehead Lake and hurt the people and animals who live here. I know for a fact that a new shipment is due today, and if we can catch them in the act of burying it, we can put a stop to my father’s wicked ways once and for all. We can restore order and harmony to our home.”

“He must know where you are,” scoffed one of the men. “He’ll just change his plans again. We won’t be able to stop him.”

“No,” Judy insisted. “No, that’s not right. The reason you’ve been failing to stop him is that you’ve given up each time, either from fear or apathy. But not this time. This time, we can stop him. They’re doing the drop tonight. If we can get it on film, we can nail them to the wall.”

“I can get other EPA member out here tonight,” Skylar said. “But I need to have some assurances that this isn’t some kind of a trap. How do I know you and Seth aren’t here at his father’s request?”

“That’s the beauty of the plan,” said Judy. “He thinks that he’s allowed us to come here as a decoy—that I’m going to lie to you and keep you as far from the landing site as possible so you won’t be able to catch him when the plane comes. Instead, we’re going to show you exactly where they’ve been digging all week so you can catch them in the act. And then, Judy and I will be free to live our lives in whatever way we please.”

*****

“This is one of the most important things that we have ever done for this region, and we must pull it off without a hitch,” Skylar briefed some of the agents as they were all preparing to head out. “We need to go quick, and we need to go quiet.”

Amelia smirked when she heard him say that, and he winked at her, continuing his little speech without missing a beat. She and Judy were not going to be a part of the endeavor, so they were standing off to one side observing. Seth had agreed to show Skylar where the digging had been most recently done, but at the moment he was still in his tent preparing to go.

“You must all get into position and wait, cameras at the ready,” Skylar continued. “Man every possible drop point on the grid. Those of you who can shift should maintain your animal forms as much as possible to make your presence more difficult to detect. Remember, these coyotes are very tricky, and they will kill you if they perceive you as a threat. Do not hesitate to protect yourselves.”

“About what time is the drop expected to happen?” asked one of the agents.

“Seth tells me that the usual time is after midnight, but all of you must be in position well before then and make sure that you’re hidden,” Skylar explained. “It is imperative that they are unaware of your presence in order for the filming to work. Once the drop happens, whoever has the mark must get themselves and the film out of the forest as quickly as possible. Without that film for evidence, Harper will just get away with what he’s been doing again.”

“We won’t let you down, sir,” said another agent, shaking Skylar’s hand.

“Good, then you men head out,” he told the team. “I’ll just say a quick good-bye to my wife and be right behind you.”

Amelia grinned broadly when she heard him say that, and she stepped over to him. “You don’t have time to be worried about me, sir. Go and do what you do best.”