Chapter 1

Big Bear Lake, California is located in a lush green valley, surrounded by mountains and

the towering pines, sparkling streams, wildlife, and hidden lakes of the San Bernardino National

Forest. We’d just moved into a cute, two-story brick house along the south shore of Big Bear

Lake. The beautiful and quaint little home was left to us by my grandmother, when she passed

away. She’d spent her whole life in the house and had loved it. So my parents thought it would

be fantastic to dump our city life, to move out to the smog-free middle of nowhere, where we

could get lost in the peace and quiet tranquility.

My parents loved the solitude here, because they were both writers. My father wrote

mystery thrillers, while Mom penned romance novels. They hated the hustle, bustle and noise of

the city and were sure the peaceful wilderness would help them concentrate. “It’ll be a fresh start

for all of us,” my mother assured me, following a bad breakup with my boyfriend, “a very

healthy experience all around.”

I wasn’t so sure, though. I didn’t know how easily I’d be able to adjust to the simple life of

a small town, after living in New York City, but once we got there, I loved the place. It was a far

cry from my life in the Big Apple, with honking geese and towering trees replacing the honking

taxicabs and towering buildings, but I knew my mother was right; it would be the perfect spot to

forget about my depressing love life.

I have two brothers and a sister who had already moved out of the house, so now I was

virtually an only child. I am lucky to have two wonderful parents. We are a loving and close-knit

family, and for that I couldn’t have been more thankful.

It was only June when we moved in, so I had almost the whole summer to get used to

California and my new home before school started. I carried in the last heavy box to my cluttered

room; everything was a mess. I bit my lip hard as I looked around at all the boxes and bags,

knowing there was no way that I’d get everything unpacked and put in its place in one night.

“Pizza’s here,” my mother called, as she came in and pushed through the maze of boxes,

toppling them everywhere.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me it was after lunch time. My German Shepard began

prancing around and barked. I knew that he needed to go outside pronto if I didn’t want a mess

on the floor.

“Mom,” I said, “Max needs to be walked first.”

She brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled. “Go ahead and take him out then, but

don’t wander off too far.”

“Of course not,” I said kissing her cheek.

She looked at my face and pointed to my eyes. “What’s with the dark circles?”

“Uh…I’m sure it’s just makeup, or maybe it’s just because I’ve been getting absolutely no

sleep.”

“It’s your makeup,” she said smiling. “You look like a raccoon.”

“See? I’ll fit right in with the wildlife out here.”

My mom laughed. “Well, maybe the raccoons can adopt you, they’re nocturnal too.”

“I just can’t sleep at night. I can’t help it.”

She lovingly wrapped her arms around me. “Is this about the breakup with Sean? Honey,

it’s been six months. Remember what we talked about? We’re here for a new beginning, a fresh

start.”

“I know,” I said, wincing because the whole thing still hurt.

Sean had dumped me, totally out of the blue. Getting dumped sucks, no matter the reason.

I had given him my heart, and he had trampled all over it. The breakup had totally blindsided me,

I hadn’t seen it coming, when he called me and said, “Taylor, this just isn’t working for me

anymore.”

I knew it was time for me to move on with my life, with whatever grace and dignity I

could muster. We’d both made mistakes in the relationship, and neither of us were perfect by a

long shot. Still, I was determined. I refused to let that relationship define who I was. Just because

we didn’t work out and clearly weren’t meant for each other, that didn’t mean things wouldn’t

work out with someone else in the future. My friends tried to help, setting me up on stupid dates

that never worked out. I wondered if I’d ever find the “spark” again with someone else. I decided

that, for the time being, I was done with guys. I was going to enjoy my fresh start and focus on

my passion for painting. The yard was overrun with weeds and vegetation, but my dad had hired

someone to fix it up. When he was finished, it would be the perfect place for me to pursue my

art.

I quickly threw my curly black hair into a messy ponytail, and slipped my feet into my

white tennis shoes. I was wearing a white t-shirt and my favorite pair of skinny jeans, which

hugged my curves so tight they felt like a second skin. I’d washed them so many times that they were faded, super soft, and form-fitting in all the right places. There was a large rip in the right

knee, but that only gave them originality. Silver and leather bracelets dangled from each of my

wrists, and sterling rings adorned my fingers. I looked into the mirror, wiped the smeared

eyeliner from beneath my brown eyes, and headed outside.

It really was a beautiful place to live. Our yard was surrounded by towering trees that

stretched high into the sky. I listened to birds chirping as the sun shone on my face and a cool

breeze ruffled my hair. I loved the woods that were part of my new home. Inhaling the clean air,

I smiled. I’m really going to enjoy my fresh start here…and so is Max, I thought as the dog

explored the back yard. He was fascinated and intrigued by all the new smells and sounds.

Suddenly, Max’s ears shot back, as if he had noticed an animal in the woods. Peering

closer, I glimpsed a white-tailed deer sipping from a puddle. My heart melted as I gazed at that

adorable creature nestled among the trees. It seemed totally unaware of us watching it, until a

sharp bark from Max scared it almost to death and the poor animal darted off into the vegetation.

He wasn’t used to all the natural wildlife, but I knew he was going to love it there as much as I

was, if not more. His barks became fierce, then he suddenly bolted through the trees, deeper into

the woods.

. I guessed he’d decided to pursue the fleeing deer, and I decided then and there that I’d

have to keep him on a leash.

“Max!” I yelled. “Come back!”

He didn’t listen.

I glanced back at the house, wondering if I should get my parents for help. The woods and

its inhabitants scared me a little. I stood there a while, debating my next move. Finally, I decided

to just go a little ways into the woods, but I did—if only for a brief second—wonder about the

odds of running into a bear.

I stepped through the vegetation at the edge of the lawn, and took a tentative step, into the

woods beyond. I glanced around looking for any sign of Max, but he was nowhere in sight, I

called for him a few times, only to get no response. I was beginning to worry, when I heard a

bark in the distance. Without a second thought, I took off, sprinting deeper into the forest

surrounding our property. Finally, I pushed aside some green vegetation and scanning ahead I

could finally see my beloved and ornery pet.

“Max!” I shouted. “Come back!”

He gave me the doggie version of the I-see-you-but-I-don’t-care look, then started sniffing

the ground. As I made my way toward him, I was seriously considering obedience classes. My

thoughts were interrupted when a thorn grazed my skin. Biting my lip to stave off the pain, I

swore I’d never let that cantankerous canine off his leash again.

I stumbled a bit to the left, tripping over a pile of termite-ridden, moss-covered, rotting

logs. Stumbling on I broke through more towering ferns, but Max had once again disappeared

into the thick vegetation. I couldn’t see him anywhere, but could still hear him barking. Panting,

I spun in a slow circle trying to decide what to do. I was afraid I might get lost if I went in any

deeper, but I couldn’t just desert my best friend.

The snap of a twig behind me, followed by the unmistakable crunch of dried leaves, halted

me mid step. I strained to listen. Was that...Max?

Snap, the sound of another branch breaking echoed through the quiet forest.

“Max?” I yelled, scanning through the trees and high grass ahead, “C’mere, boy.”

Silence.

With my senses now on full alert, I swept an uneasy gaze through the surrounding trees. I

whistled for Max calling out, “Here, Max! C’mon, boy. Let’s go home.”

The sound of the crickets and chirping birds was my only reply.

I jumped, startled, as a sudden flash of tan glinted to my left. I flinched. For a split second,

I saw amber-colored eyes in the foliage. Panic stuck. I was sure it was some kind of wild animal.

I worried that Max might have been attacked, knowing that one bite to the throat might prove

fatal. Fear began to take hold and I grabbed a long, sturdy stick. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but

I’d be able to poke those yellow eyes out if their owner came after me.

A menacing growl broke the silence. My heart thudded against my ribcage, and a shiver

swept over my skin. What was I thinking? Running after Max had been a dumb idea. My dad had

warned me about black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats. He hadn’t said anything

about tigers, but it was still quite the oh-my situation.

I knew that the creature, whatever it was, had also seen me. There was no point in trying to

hide. I had to call for Max again. I couldn’t possibly leave until I knew he was okay. “Max!” I

yelled, pointing the stick at the eyes peering out from the vegetation, ready to fight with every

ounce of strength I had.