It is a dream. Is it a dream?

As she looked across the grassy field just under the mountains, a young girl stood at the edge of a little town. On the very edge of the Great Mountains that run along the left side of Turtle Island, a young world just about to evolve into a new age. A bright cloudless sky was the one thing that made this day so much braver. She knew in some way or another, she had to ascend the mountains. The town folks had found out her secret, and they were getting rallied up and wanting to kill. This wasn't good especially for her new friends who she could hardly wait to go back to, It was all she could think of and she only met them two days ago.

Two days before she would have been inside cleaning her house or doing some odd chore around the yard. The first day she was outside, she wandered around the yard thinking of a fast way to cut the grass and give her extra time for a late walk through the town. It was one of her favorite things to do, passing the time indoors was just dreadfully boring. At first she was alone and could hear the silence of morning tea, the town folk should have been in their cozy homes making tea and snacks. Although this time they were out in the streets walking towards her place. Not that they were heading to her, she lived in town in the middle of it and very close to the junction.

As any mob, this one was quiet loud. For a small town, there seemed to be a lot more people. A lot more screaming and hollering about a monster. That's right a Monster. or whatever they were talking about. It all seemed like a dream to her, this is something she would dream of. This town was pretty boring in the first place, she always wanted something to happen, something worth checking out. So she stood by the farthest corner of her yard and addressed a woman closest to her.

"Excuse me Ma'am? she asked. "What is going on? It's unusual for the town to be this loud." as she said this, she scanned the crowd and could see everyone she knew in town and strange faces as well, also making sure that no one had heard her ask the question. " My dear girl." the woman said without even looking at her, " They said the old coachman seen a Giant Monster under that mountain ov'r there." she tilted her head towards the mountain closest to the town and the biggest in sight. Which just happened to be what the girl sees when she wakes up, her bedroom window which just happens to be facing the monstrous yet beautiful Mountain.

The young woman was so immersed and intrigued by this monster that she walked away from the woman who was about to tell her more. " They also...I say young woman, don't you want to hear more?" "No thank you, I want to go closer?" The young woman shouted as she walked towards the loudest shouters in the middle of the crowd. Being as small as she was she could fit and squeeze through the crowd with no problem, hardly touching an arm or brushing a shoulder. She edged closer to the people who were talking to the Mayor of the town, they seemed to know all the details and had the most information.

"The ole bugger is resting now, it was down right spooky to see him that way. His eyes all buggered up and rambling on about a giant bear." The traveler told the mayor as he was the one to find the old man sitting under his stagecoach shaking like a leaf. " Giant Bear?" asked the Mayor who was stunned a bit about the situation. "B-b-but...." he trailed off, his eyes glazed over and seemed to wonder away from where he was. Shaking his head to come to his senses, the Mayor tried again but with more of a braver demeanor. "But if there's a giant animal seen under the mountain then that could mean it might come here, we have lots of delicious foods all the time. we outta kill this wild beast."

The girl raised her eyebrows and looked at the Mayor with disbelief, did the Mayor, a man she knew ever since she could walk and thought he was the best man for the job till he opened his mouth and just said that. The way he said it contorted his facial features to make him look real cowardly and undeserving for the job. her thoughts about him changed in an instant and she wanted to boot this man with all her might. Alas if she did do it they would throw her in the stockade for a few days.

"This giant animal will terrorize this town" shouted the Mayor to his constituents. " It will eat all our cattle, all our sheep. It will destroy our town if not the people in it." Some of the people perked up and started to listen to the Mayor, but because he was the only one talking. The whole crowd seemed to hear the words Giant Bear and they all hushed up quiet to hear more of the coachman's anecdote. Seeing that no one was really listening to him, the Mayor Added. " We need help, we need hunters, we need to rid ourselves of this monstrosity, there comes a day when I the MAYOR will have to protect this town, I will negotiate hiring and payment for the town hunters. That's right Hunters, some of you can do it, with the right pay and the right equipment you will help me protect this beloved town. So who's with me?"

The young girl half expected the people to start rising their hands and cheering, but this man had said too much in the beginning. And with the silence the Mayor turned towards the traveler and urged him to recall some more. " Thank you Mayor, from what I was told and from what I could understand, while the Coachman was on his way back to town when he got as far as the grotto and was almost run off the road by an enormous black creature, he said he could have sworn it was a bear. as I understand it... those animals died off long ago. Extinct."

Those words resonated in her mind and brought stirrings of excitement and of adventure, of packing a bag and going out to see the world. This was the exact moment she was waiting for, she always knew there was more to her story then just a small town in a small house and a small yard. This was her chance to prove that she has what it takes to live in the wide open world, even if she would be by herself, she would learn everything she needed to know to live. Just to live, even if for one day. And with that she decided to go on this adventure without telling anyone. This was to be her secret, her untold.

Back in her house, the girl tried to tidy up a bit, looking around and seeing as there wasn't much to do she went to her room and packed a small bag, mostly making sure she had a pair of pants and shirt anything else she could do without. As she headed towards the kitchen to pack some food, she could hear the crowd grow loud again in anticipation. The way they sounded, told the girl that the Mayor had gotten what he wanted and started to lead the crowd off to the Mayor's office at once. This gave the girl the chance to get out of town before anyone could notice that she was gone, she extinguished all the lights and quietly went out the front door. That little time that she was indoors made the day seem at a stand still. everything was quiet again, except the odd holler off in the distances by the Government office. On her way through the yard, the young girl smiled as she walked out passed the long soft grass and passed her so called fence, if even there was a fence.

There were only three ways to leave town. One was the way the crowd came from which was the main road, the other way down by the Church close to the Government office. If you were to come to town on that road, you'd hit the Church and the court house which was evidently the Authorities and jail house as well. The third was closest to the young girls house, about four or five houses away. The junction made the town seem lop sided, for some reason it was built in a way to block something out, could have been the wind, sometimes the wind from the mountains were so bad that even with the windows and shutters closed it was still so cold. As she walked out through the junction to get to the Exit, she could hear a faint whoosh sound, of a bird of some sort. The day was a blessed day, so warm and bright. The days were so long and seemed to go on even in the evening.

While the girl walked, she thought of what she'd find. She didn't feel scared, more like she was being pulled towards the enormous mound of earth and rock. She always felt like she was in a dream, sometimes she'd end up in places she didn't remember going to, like she was sleep walking, except that her eyes were wide open. This behavior spooked some of the people in town who cared to wonder what she was up to. So it was up to her to see why this pull and yarning was so strong, in the few minutes that she was walking towards the edge of town she happened to have one more look back, as she did she noticed a figure on top one of the houses. she didn't have to squint her eyes to see that it was an owl, a Barn owl to be exact. It was perched in the direction of the mountain and her, all of a sudden a strong feeling of foreboding cam over her. The spot the Barn owl just happened to be at was the resident of the Coachman.

When the girl got to the end of the town path, made with hard flat stones on either side of the path. She stopped in her tracks and looked down, the border of the town and the wilderness. There was no magic in crossing the invisible line, but in her mind she had magic. She could slow down time or even stop it when she needed to. As she stepped over the threshold she imagined everything slow down, she started to walk and found herself enjoying the quietness. Now she could enjoy this at home, where she'd have hot tea and yummy snacks, but she knew that this was the day. This walking brought her mind to ease and within 20 mins, she was at the grotto.

The day seemed to be more blessed then she had expected by being the only person around, the news and excitement of the giant bear hasn't made it this far from town yet. The Grotto was a fresh water spring, this one had five small hot springs on the left side of the grotto. Being a fresh water meant that no one was allowed to wade or even put a foot in the pool. There was a man made well that was suspended over the pool with beams of wood and rope, the rope looked as though someone was maintaining it and replacing when needed. The girl didn't stay too long around the grotto, just long enough to refill her cantinas and have a small bite to eat.

The closer she got to the bottom of the mountain the more calming and relaxed she felt, like she was at home. Her spirit settling down from the surge of energy rushing up from the mountains base core. One thing in her life she knew was that she always picked up on energy, the good kind and the bad. It was easy getting the good as it was in familiar places in and around town. The bad energy was the one to give her a hard time. She asked as many people as she could without them noticing why she was asking and got nothing, no answer from anyone. Superstitious old goats.

The Climb, The Path

This Mountain was... THE Mountain beautifully tall with many many different shades of greens and browns. Tall tall trees that reach up so high, just being at bottom alone made the mountain loom if not for the bright sun shine, the shade of the Douglas fur trees was most welcoming. The path was a man made road, about 8 feet wide fine gravel was laid and pact down. In the girls memory, she was told about this road, about this mountain. That there was some story behind it. A story she didn't recall and trying to gather information from the town folks was harder then she thought. All she knew was there was something on this mountain.

While the girl walked the birds chirped, the butterflies flew about, little white fluff balls floated around the air that look stale but was of fresh air, sweet moss and earthy root smells drifted in and out of her senses. The sun rays spread across the road and lite the path, making it even more at home. The thought of danger or wild animals and fear faded, melting into oblivion, only the thought of wonder and amazement. The path winded back and forth around the mountain like a ribbon being folded, a slight slant in the promenade. Every step felt light and airy, hardly a workout. She enjoyed every step and every sound, her heart filled with love of nature, she could spend all her life here. But then it would be tough, with no mode of transportation to haul up all the materials. not to mention getting water for the gardens and indoor uses, it just seemed to much work and money which indeed she did not have. If she could find a cave, an empty cave she could... No she thought. If there was one it wouldn't be livable. She kept on walking and with every corner she turned and every giant tree she passed made her realize that this was the only place she wanted to be, she wouldn't have known of all this beauty if she had ignored her urges.

It felt like 60 minutes went by and she was already one quarter ways up, she didn't feel tired or fatigue at all, a small snack here and there was her idea of rationing. The girl would sometimes stop to close her eyes and listen, she didn't really know what she was listening for just that she had to go further. There was no turning back and even if she felt that small ounce of fear she wouldn't run back to the home she now disliked and would rather see it burned down. So many bad memories, she could write a whole book on the bad things that she has witnessed and experienced. Getting to the half way mark, the girl started going through all the bad things from the very start. To when she was very little, she could remember a lot of the time just being scared and crying. Her parents having been taken 4 yrs after her birth. she then had to live with her long lost Auntie twice removed. Who reluctantly raised her and her sister for 13 years before succumbing to the old age sickness. The girls sister left the day she died and left the house to her, she lived by herself for 2 years with the help of here neighbors and little family she had, she was surviving, which wasn't what she wanted for her life. She wanted to live. She wanted a love she felt when she was 9 years old. a neighborhood boy of 13, but that's for another story. All the things she wanted she couldn't get because of her predicament.

All that thinking made her forget where she was and what she was doing, in no time she was three quarters of the way to the top. As she was coming around a left turn when she noticed that there was another path that lead off to the left on the up coming right turn. There were only four turns left, she was almost there only... this other path. This path that was new. Describing this next part it tricky but i will try my best, as the girl walked closer to the new path, she felt that she was being watched. but she didn't feel scared, more like curious as to where this would go. her thought making it to the top was what she wanted to do, this new path made her want to follow it. That there was something good this way, this way opening up for her, this kind of magic she could sense. as she got to the path she stopped as she did when she left the town, the thought of going back there crossed her mind and that's when she lifted her foot and crossed over the invisible line that divided it from the main path. This time, as she moved with her feet, she could see something. Like a wave, a wavy curtain that closed behind her and sealed the path from anyone else. It then changed it's color to green and the shape of Vines, This new sense of being closed off from the world was another feeling, anyone else would have been scared. Probably freak out and run amuck, not this girl, she was hoping for a sign and was willing to take anything. maybe not a squirrel, something worth talking about. She could go back to the town and tell them about this path, but that would take her forever to do. She had no other choice if she wanted to find out the truth, not only about this giant animal, but about her self. Her soul felt so broken and lost she thought that she was going to be stuck in the little town.

As she walked this new path, she looked around and could tell that the air was absolutely beautiful and fresh, not thin like most tops of mountains. She had made it t0 the top and she was breathing fine. The path came about to an clearing in front of a huge cave. She was right about this cave and with a little caution she moved closer. At one moment she felt the energy of what was in the cave and she stopped, she heard movement from inside, big movement. Then she heard more shuffling from inside the cave. And when the suspense got to much, out rolled a black bear the size of a grizzly bear. Right after this first one rolled out, another two came stumbling out as if they were playing. As this all happened she fell back onto her bottom and sat there and watched the bears jump and roll around each other, biting on an ear or climbing onto each others back. They were so much into their play that it took them a few minutes to notice the girl sitting on the ground in front of their cave. The first to noticed her yelled "Stop!" "Who's that?" The girl stood up and expected to get attacked or ripped to shreds, she stood there with her eyes closed. All the while the Bears stopped the play and started towards her with curiosity. "Hello" Said one of them in a child's voice, the girl opened her eyes and could see that these bears were cubs, black bear cubs. Their features of cubs was so refined that you couldn't miss the fact that they were babies.

"H-h-hi?" Was all she could muster, she felt them staring at her hoping they already had their breakfast she opened her mouth to speak when the second cub spoke up first and asked her a question. "Will you play with us?" The girl was taken aback from this request, to hear these big baby animals talking like human beings and sounding like children was amazing in her eyes. She was awe struck when they resumed playing, noticing that she was still in some shock they gave her time to adjust. The cubs talked and played, they chased each other across the open clearing and back again. They did everything a normal baby cub would do, except they made very loud thumping and bumping when they hit the ground. The smallest of the three was beaten out of the play so he sat by the girl. The girl was still in shock when the young cub sat down beside her, she barely noticed the cub talking to her. "They ALWAYS get me out first, it's not fair. Just because I'm the smallest." He looked down while he was saying this, it was the cutest sight the girl had ever seen, the giant baby bear was talking to her with the cutest most sweetest voice. It was all she could do not to grab a hold of this cute creature and hug him. The other to were still deep into play and didn't even second glance the two talking. "Where did you guys come from?" The girl asked. The smallest cub looked at her and then back down at the ground. "Our Momma of course, she's in the cave sleeping. She had a bad day yesterday. One of the people seen her while she was trying to look for safe place for us to live." This astounded the girl, not in a million years would she think that she would be sitting on top of a mountain talking and watching young bear cubs. The girl didn't even think about the time, or the town, or even her so little family. She was so happy today that nothing would stop this from being fun.

They played long into the day, it was still bright sun shine and warm breezes coming through the trees. The whole clearing was now what she had thought, it was the cubs front yard, the place where they played in their first month of being born. This was the place they would roll, run and roughhouse all their frustrations and anger, but this didn't seem like it was that kind of place. It was wonder and magic, the girl felt hope too. seeing the giant bears were real, true creatures that people were scared of. Man kind was suppose to be something different, they lost all their bravery and courage that when anything that they don't understand comes along, they AIM TO KILL. The girl knew that the towns folk were working they're way up this way, but she didn't think it was going to be anytime soon. They still had to send envoys to the next towns for help, and then they'd have to travel back. What was she thinking about, it wouldn't take them that long to get ready, if they wanted to get this thing they would have everything set in motion. All of a sudden the girl heard a growl coming from the cave, she stood up so fast she almost did a jump. She for the first time in a wile felt a small hint of fear, she really didn't know what to expect. All three of the cubs stopped what they were doing and sat down beside the girl. As the very loud shuffling came closer to the cave entrance. Everything in the air became brighter, and more of a sweeter feel to it, calming and peaceful and right at that beautiful moment the mother bear emerged from the cave, she was 25 feet tall at least, when she was on all fours of course. but if the bear ever stood up she'd reach a taller height. She was pure black her coat shone a deep dark hint of sapphire blue, her eyes were a light green, such beautiful eyes for an animal. Her claws were so big it left big rivets in the ground, and the sound of her paws hitting the ground was tremendous.

The Giant Mother Black Bear, was the biggest animal the girl had ever seen in her whole life, not that she had seen any in her day to day chores only, but in picture books. This wasn't going to be put into one of their books, it was going to be meant for a reminder, a reminder to the people that being scared of what you don't know and understand could go all wrong and in the end everything will be taken away. Our lives are based on right and wrong. Man kind is suppose to be able to tell the difference, there were way to many bad things going on already and they all needed a wake up call. For some reason her mind went back to her town, she remembered about the hunters and the Mayor and all the people in the mob. They wanted to come up here and kill these beautiful creatures. They didn't know anything about this mother bear except that she ate meat and hunted domestic food animals sometimes. She remembered the way the people looked and the wild cheers they were yelling, she knew they were on their way, and another strange reason she felt that they were looking for her too.

The young girl stirred out of the dazed she was in when she saw the bear and her mind went wild and all over the place while the bear walked to her. "Hello dear" Said the Mother Bear. Her voice was the sweetest voice the girl had ever heard. If she was to describe her voice, she would use Nicole Kidman as the perfect voice for this bear. The mother bear had the most softest and kindest way in her movements. She stood on all fours and sniffed at the girl's hair, she sniffed the ground around the girl and sniffed her shoes. With this the mother bear turned around walk a few steps turned around again to face the girl and sat down. "How is it that you came to be here?" said the mother bear as politely as she could. The girl looked at the Mother Bear and responded as she would if she was talking to a Grandmother. "I live in the town just down there, I heard the town people talking about you. Apparently a man saw you and he told everyone in the town. The Mayor hired hunters and may be getting more from the other towns." This didn't surprise the Mother bear, as a matter of fact she giggled and said "Oh dear, I am sorry about that little man. I wasn't trying to hurt him, I waited as long as I could to get by him. You see, I was out in the mountains looking for a new home... I knew that some day this day would come. I was really trying to get home, being away from my cubs is the worst." Her huge head drooped into a sort of sadness, until her cubs came up to her and started licking her face to cheer her up. " We missed you Momma, This time took longer" Whined the second oldest cub. " We were doing good Momma, I had it all under control" Snorted the oldest and the bravest of the cubs, she stood in front of her Momma and acted as though she was adult. she puffed up her great bear chest and as soon as she did that the third cub came charging into the oldest nd knocking her over. The oldest only had time to say" Momma!" Before landing on her back. She tried to whip around an snatch at the Little ones ears, but he was little and dodged her before he took a nibble on her ear and shouted, " I got you, I got you, I finally did it." He rolled over off of his sister cub and Trotted away with the biggest smile on his cub face. "See?" He said as he taunted his sister, " Just give me that chance". He snared with his nose in the air.

The Mother bear stood on all fours and moved closer to the girl and her cubs, she laid down in front of them with sadness in her eyes. "All right you lot, it's quiet time now. Our visitor must be very hungry." The girl was happy the mother bear had said this because she indeed was hungry, she sat and talked with the mother bear long into the evening. The cubs grew restless every now and then, running and jumping on their mother as if she was a huge boulder. " I am terrified for my cubs, we weren't suppose to be here for this long. I was on my way to a secret valley I had heard of, It sounded such a perfect place for us. I had gotten lost in a winter storm, this cave was this first shelter I found and we've been here since." She paused a she started her story." I was born in a distant valley, very far from here. I hear it is on op of the Turtle's back. My mother left the safety of the valley and headed down, I have not talk to her in so long. She was fierce and I could only learn so much from her before she turned on me, now don't get me wrong but what she did was the best thing she could do. She taught me to learn life. To adapt to my surroundings and live my life. It was very difficult in the beginning, my mother tried the best she could although the land was unknown and she was lost as well. I was lead this way by an owl, A Barn owl. He comes to me and tells me to go or stay. I haven't seen him in a while." At those words the girl Stood up and yelled out in surprise. " I've seen a Barn Owl, as a matter of fact just before I left the town. It's usually a bad omen for my people." The Mother bear smiled and continued her story." He was the one to find this cave really, I was in labor pains and ready to give birth. He knew I couldn't go further and it was way to cold to do this outside. He also warned me about the towns around these parts, that the people knew of this cave but haven't ventured up this way since the last owner of the cave. I'm thinking it was one of my kind seeing as how big it is and I can fit good and proper. I watched as he cast an enchantment on the path and made it lead to a different cave, he also added a barrier. A sort of curtain, very ingenuine. We are totally safe for the time being, up until I was seen. I wasn't suppose to leave, but we were getting hungry and berries aren't enough to store up our energies. I figure the Barn owl is waiting for the right time, but I cannot wait. There is something else I was taught as a cub, I wasn't allowed to use it unless I was in grave peril, this is any time as good. It's a portal made from my magic, magic I held back. I was trying to remember how and where to do this, but I need time. Three days at the most, I need to talk to the Barn owl, I know that your people are on their way up here, I just need to know when. Only problem is I cannot leave the Curtain barrier and not be seen, I am so big that I am noticeable on this mountain. My cubs wouldn't know what was being asked of them as all they know is play. If this wasn't important I wouldn't ask, I wouldn't want you to go against your people, but I could I ask a favor of you?" She waited for the girl's answer with anticipation in her eyes. The girl didn't hesitate in giving an answer she piped up " Well of course, you won't turn me against anyone down there, I have little family there and I'm not too fond of the people either. You can ask anything of me." The Mother bear nodded an asked for her favor," Please would you go beyond the Curtain and look down on your town to see if they are coming this way, how close they are and how much of them?" This request made the girl feel very important, not only was she in the best laid secret in her life but she was going to help these beautiful creatures survive this mob attack.

The wasn't going to go down in history for her, she wasn't going to be remembered as the girl who help the Giant Bears escape, they were going to look at her as an agitator someone who just wanted attention. Which wasn't true. Right now she knew this was the right thing to do. Her mind and soul moved with ease and happiness, this was her calling. The reason she was being pulled by a force she couldn't see. As she walked down the path her thoughts were all over the place, she was thinking of every possible way to help them and this was the only way she could think of, she wasn't built to be strong in build or smart enough to be in politics. She was pretty much the black sheep in the family and didn't mind it at all. She didn't really have to go far to see her town and that's when she noticed the darkness. It was night, she was very surprised to see this because just on the other side of the Curtain it's Afternoon with the sun just coming off it's peak. As she looked down, she scanned the grounds by the town and seen the Mob, it was pretty big and they had their torches along with wagons of weapons, They were at least two days away by the way they were moving, This was good news for the Mother bear, so the girl ran back up the path back to the Curtain, she stopped and waited for it to open. It really was magic, as it moved across her vision she could see the sparkles and shimmer of invisible protection. The change of color was for the cubs so they would know where the Border was and that it was absolutely important that they did not cross it. She walked up the path and back to the open clearing where the four bears waited for her, they were so big. They to anyone else would look dangerous, but to her they were everything. They showed her that believing was your choice, and acting on your impulses sometimes is better then nothing.

"Look, I learned a new trick, Momma taught us to use our magic inside. I'm not as good as them, but I'm going to practice and practice and practice." The smallest cub scratched at the ground and made the indents glow, it really was something. " it's suppose to float up and show me the way to what I want to see. I think it's because you are so close that it won't work for me." The girl was very happy to hear that one of the cubs missed her and she was appreciated for the company. The girl blushed so deep she couldn't hide the redness showing and got the cub looking at her in awe. "Are you alright? Your face seems to be changing." "I'm fine my dear friend, thank you for missing me. I haven't felt that feeling in a long time, it's just not the same with my sister, for some reason I know in my heart that she is alright and living a life that's good. Thank you sweet little one." She smiled with love in her eyes, this huge cub bear had made her feel as though she was part of a family even if just for one day. " Ma'am, I seen the Mob down by the town. They sure made it bigger then when I seen it last it. It looks as the other towns are joined in, and it seems a bit fast too. To make those people move that fast is when a child goes missing." She paused at that and remembered she didn't tell anyone where she went or left a note. She just left, her house was probably cold and dark, lifeless in a way. The Mother bear hugged all three cubs in one big hug, liked their faces each and told them that this is the only way for them to grow and live safe. The cubs survival was very important at this time of the era, changes were already underway and they're kind was in the beginning of extinction. Man kind feared them so bad that they wiped them out all over the lands, these four bears were the last of their kind. The girl couldn't be sure of it, but she had a feeling that this was exactly why the Mother Black bear wanted to risk all to meet the owl on the other side of town.

The Great Mother Black Bear got up after the big and long hug with her cubs and walked to the girl, where she waited for the right time to talk. Which was now because this was where the Mother bear was leaving. " Oh Please be careful those towns people can be quiet ruthless, I know they're scared and will stop at nothing to get rid of a threat." And with that the mother bear took one more look at her cubs and smiled as she turned to the path, she walked slowly down and through the curtains. It shimmered and waved about as she passed out of sight. The girl stood still for a moment before she was reminded by one of the cubs, they were back at the play. They rolled and tumbled on and over each other, nibbling at an ear or snipping at a paw. This was going to be so easy, these babies knew that they had to stay where they were and that the girl was there to look out for them. She did wonder about their feeding time, then again she didn't want them to start thinking they were hungry either. So she pretty much just sat close to the cave and watched the cubs, their play was so beautiful, it wasn't graceful, it was something no one would get the chance to watch. The play seemed to keep her in a trance, the cubs didn't notice a thing, but then again neither did the girl, it all seemed as they played till late, went to bed, got up to the cubs who were out in the yard playing again. The whole day seemed a haze that she enjoyed very much. She was in a trance, as she watched back and forth they tussled all over. This night was just like the night before, they played and she watched. This WAS really easy, they enjoyed each other's company so much that she didn't have to intervene any. They were very well behaved and spoke very well, the second day came about and with a warm sunshine, she half expected the cubs to be playing outside, but they weren't.

As she stepped out in the bright sunlight she felt the warmth instantly, she shivered as the cold chill ran down the back of her neck, she knew then that the cubs were where they weren't suppose to be and they were exposed. She ran to the curtain and found that it was open, she could see the cubs on the other side and they were heading down the path. This is the only time she ran as fast as she could to the cubs just getting around the corner, she was able to stop two of them from the sight of the mob. The oldest though was seen by a few look outs and scared them back down the path, by the time they started running the girl came up behind the cub and talked as gently as she could to get the cub back up behind the curtain. So now that she had the cubs back behind the safety of the curtain she still had to deal with the folks that seen the cub and who might be coming back up this way, she had to think of something, there had to be a way to stop them from coming back up here for one more day. The only thing she can think of was that she had to go out there and coax the lookout to go back down wit her. She experienced something one the way up and was hoping if it was that way up maybe it was that way down. The mother bear was suppose to be back tomorrow night but this couldn't wait, she had to get them back to the town and to talk to the mob on their way. She knew she had time, time to get down and to the mob and to get the people from thinking about the bears. She turned to the cubs and relayed her thoughts to them, this was the only way things would turn out good. The girl waved to the cubs one last time and walked down the path, through the curtains and onto the path. She ran this time and everything to her felt as she walk one with the energy. Every step was as light as a feather but with speed of a cheetah, she got half way down and ran into the scouts. They were surprised to see her coming down the mountain by herself and after what they had seen. "Young lady! There you are. The town has reported you missing. It appears that your family noticed the empty house you left behind and thought maybe you were stolen by the beast." Said the leader of the scouts who was a young lad from another town.

The girl acknowledged that they were there for her and went with them right away, to her it seemed as the faster she can get them going that way the faster she can get back up the mountain. It didn't take long till they came up to the mob, they were all buzzing about her appearance and about the beast. Wanting to know what had happened and what the beast looked like, If it was a bear or something else. She couldn't answer all of the questions that were being thrown at her so she closed he eyes and clasped into the seat. The town folks knowing that she would probably feel better in her own house carefully transported her back to the town as fast as they could, and so the mob dispersed back to their towns and places and left a small camp with look outs. The girl fell asleep on the way back because she had to lay still and keep her eyes close, which is very boring so she decided to get the rest she needed. They carried her into her place and into her room which was warm and bright, her room was warm and cozy. As she lay there the town folks lingered a bit to make sure she was okay, " I bet you anything she had seen the monster" said a woman's voice. " I heard she was way up at the top too" said the other. She couldn't recognize the voices which was good because they weren't part of her family. She thought this was typical for them, to be concerned about the house rather then care for the person looking after the house. The two woman left just in time, she was getting a itch on her nose and it was getting to her. She wasn't aware of the time that went by while she was sleeping and she was happy to see that her place wasn't a dark and cold building, she almost missed the place. But it wasn't where she needed to be, she had to leave again, she had to go back up now that the mob was gone. Only this was going to be a bit harder then the first time. She decided to leave in the morning, the warm days were so welcoming that she forgot what the warm mornings were like. So she took advantage of the warmth and slept like a baby, they next morning was bright and sunny. the girl walked out of her house and walk to the edge of town. She looked at the grass as it swayed gently, she had to make it back up the mountain, the small camp half way on the road wasn't very happy to see that she was walking by and tried to turn her around. But she couldn't accept it, she talked her hardest and finally getting the men to let her by the girl ran back up the mountain. With every step she felt like she was flying, she got up the mountain in no time flat and half way up she started getting the feeling of relaxation, of all her worries ebbing away and she remembered why she left. She needed this in her life, this was the one thing that she could actually call her own. As she got to the curtains she noticed that the magic was dying from them, it didn't change color or open up for her, the girl was instantly scared for the cubs right now and burst into a run up the path screaming for the cubs. She reached the clearing and ran to the cave where she went inside, she didn't have to go far to find them cubs huddle together. They heard they girl and greeted her with excitement, she was happy to see them but she also wondered about the curtain. The cubs said that a the curtain dimmed down last night around bed time, that's the same time the girl decided to sleep in her house for the night. "When is mother coming home?" cried the youngest cub. "Now now young one, I'm no expert but I do know that your mother will be back to keep you safe." Said the girl, who was a little bit unsure if the mother bear was going to make it back. she was very big after all.

"When the curtain started we decided to hid till one of you returned" The middle bear was very sure and as brave as the oldest but the fear in the voice told the girl that she was getting worried. The time pasted as so slow that it felt like days went by, almost like the time was catching up with all the pauses. The evening swept by like a blanket and bathed the sky with navy blue skies, it was about the time when she should be back. Things started to feel different, with the curtain down and the cubs in the cave, the girl had to see outside why she was feeling this feeling. So she went to the path and passed the curtains, something was telling her to walk a little bit. There was something that she needed to see. As she got around the last corner her feeling dropped and she saw them, people. She was shocked she almost couldn't move, instead she shook it off turned on her heel and bolted right back up the path. She ran up to the curtains went under it and tried to close it up on the other side. The girl thought only about the cubs, she ran into the cave and explained to them the outmost safety of the cave, that they really needed to stay where they were. As they waited quietly in the cave it almost sounded as if people were close, a distant voice was floating into the cave and this scared to girl, she didn't know how the cubs would react. Though all this she never really bothered to ask how they felt, she looked at them ready to speak but they nodded and smiled like they knew what she was thinking.

Another half hour went by and the cubs started sniffing at the air, they're noses twitching back and forth in excitement. The cubs smelled something or someone they knew and sure enough around the corner of the cave the Giant mother black bear walked in. The girl felt a rush of happiness that swept over her entire body and out of the blue she ran to the bear and hugged her leg, which was the only part she could grab a hold of. The cubs were so happy to see their mother that they danced and sang in glee. The mother was very happy but she had sensed what they felt all day and she had to quieten them down, she ushered them into the cave and turned around to the opening of the cave where she spoke a few words and a vale of shimmering light swept down like a curtain. "There my you go my dears, no one can hear us. I see that the Boundary curtain is only working at a low level, I have no doubt it will totally break down soon, I went and done what I had to. finding a spell. It will open a portal, like a door way. It will only last for so long." The mother bear paused and looked at the girl with sadness in her eyes, the girl seen tears glaze over the bear's eyes and looked down almost ready to cry. " We will have to go right away, I have seen how close those men are, they will find this cave. in order for this to work we need to be in the yard." So they moved out into the yard, the mother bear stood close to the path but not on it. She then turned side ways and said some words, she the looked at the girl and said. "I need you to open your mind, like your opening a door, imagen the curtain moving apart and opening up." The girl had no trouble with this as she had one of the best imaginations in the county, as she though of this the spot where she was looking started to warp in a circle and get wider, the wider it got the stranger it looked. There was something in the middle of the warp and it looked like another part of a picture, of great big mountains. Bigger then the ones here. As the thought grew so did the circle, it was now big enough to see inside and it was beautiful, there was other mountains, bigger and taller. Fields of grass and flowers. This was the perfect place for them, she knew it. This was the reason she had to leave, the reason she had to talk to the owl. Her cubs lives were her only concerns. The warp got to the size of the mother bear and that's when she turned to the girl and said " This is it, this is where we have to say good bye. But I am sure that we will meet again. I can finally take my babies to a place where they will grow and thrive. Just because we are saying bye doesn't mean it's really, We will always see you, We will feel what you feel and we will help you to over come those fears. We are you and you are us." And with that the cubs walked through the warp. The mother bear walk in after them turned around and looked at the girl while the warp begun to close in around them. The girl could see the cubs jumping and playing while the mother walked behind them, they looked in their element and like they belonged there. The warp totally closed as the girl waved and wiped the tears away, this was the happiest and saddest day yet. As she stated to walk to the path, she could hear voices. Men were up on the mountain. The girl ran to spot where the curtain was suppose to be where she walked up to it and it disappeared she walked past it and turned around to see ho wit looked on the other side and seen that the whole place changed. The path was gone and everything looked as though nothing was there, except the path that she was standing on that lead to the top of the mountain. She was going to walk down when she got the feeling she should walk up, as she got to the top she met into the men and the leader just happened to be the young leader, he was very happy to see her, but all together confused as to why she was back on the mountain and how she had passed them when they were on route. Apparently while all the time was catching up, so was the people. He must not have seen her at the small camp, she was very discreet and didn't want to attract any one else's attention. They escorted her down the mountain and this time it took longer then she realized, she then swore that she wouldn't return to the mountain unless she absolutely has to. Then I woke up.