Eldridge stepped from the car, his mind on edge. This situation seemed off to him even though he could find an explanation for all of it. Deer in the road happened all the time. He knew that well from the amount of reports he had to deal with. Even the bridge could be explained away with the knowledge of the heavy rains these last few days.

The rushing water could, in theory, overwhelm the supports on the bridge. Honestly, they were lucky to only have lost a window through it all. He shuddered as he thought of the bridge going out as they traveled over it.

“I’ve called the copter sir,” Hinklebottom said behind him. The words barely registered to Eldridge as his gaze and focus was locked on the forest before him. If there was going to be an attack, he wanted to be ready for it. He knew he was being paranoid, still he couldn’t help it after this last week.

“Do we have a timeframe?” he distantly heard C ask, his steps slowly took him closer to the edge of the road. His mind felt that familiar thread of assault from before.

“Forty minutes sir, it seems that some VIP is keeping them grounded for the near future.” Hinklebottom replied. Eldridge slowed as he neared the tree line, the tug that called out to him came from deeper in. He examined the edge a bit more before he took his first step off the road.

“Great, just great,” C mumbled before he yelled. “Eldridge!”

The words startled Eldridge as he woke from the trance he was having. He turned around to find C as he jogged towards him.

“Find something?” C asked as he slowed.

“Not really, was just looking for potential damage from rain,” Eldridge lied as he thought back to the trance he apparently found himself in. “So, any news on the pickup?”

“Will probably take an hour or so, some big wig is grounding all air traffic.” C said gruffly. “At least we’re not the only ones stuck, and I am sure there will be more in the coming minutes.”

“Probably not sir,” Hinklebottom answered as he walked up to the two of them. “It seems they closed the road moments after we got on.”

“Of course they did,” C said with a sigh as he started to head back to the limo. “At least I’ve got plenty to drink.”

Eldridge turned his attention from his friend towards the other unfortunate soul trapped with them on the road. The car looked familiar, though it took him a moment to place it.

“It couldn’t be,” Eldridge mumbled to himself as he walked towards the vehicle. As he neared, he shook his head, “of course it would be him.”

“Detective,” Byung’s gruff word greeted Eldridge as the man stepped from the car. It seems that the two of them were destined to meet on his day off.

“Mr. Kim,” Eldridge said with a slight bow of his head. “It seems we aren’t the only unlucky ones this day.”

“Some more than others,” Byung said as he turned to look back at his car. It was then that Eldridge realized that the car’s front was dented. “Though I should be glad I’m not in the river.” Upon closer inspection Eldridge saw that the vehicle’s air bags had been deployed even though the dent wasn’t that large.

“It seems you would’ve been fine either way,” Eldridge replied as his years on the force took over. “I would say that you were going twenty, twenty-five at the most when you hit the bridge.” His hands moving over the dent and looking at the skid marks on the ground. “Still would have to agree today hasn’t been the luckiest of days.”

“Can’t take a day off can you,” C said as he walked up to the group. “You wouldn’t believe how much pestering it took me to get this man to come to the game.” C casually mentioned to Byung. “He kept trying to give some excuse or another.”

Byung simply casted as sideways glance at the man before he looked back at Eldridge. “Oh, sorry,” C replied. “The names C. Falreath, a friend of the man being overly familiar with your car.”

“Byung Kim,” Byung said with a bow. “I’ve met the detective before, it was a few days ago.”

“So, you know how intense he can be,” Cee replied.

“If you want to ask something just ask,” Eldridge stated as he stood. “It’s not like I can’t hear you anyway.” Eldridge turned from his friend to Byung. “So, Mr. Kim, I take it the car doesn’t drive anymore?” His eyes darted to the pool of liquid that was forming under the engine.

“Unfortunately, though not sure it would make much of a difference.” Byung replied as he pointed to the bridge and the water rushing underneath it.

“No,” Eldridge corrected as he walked to the edge of the road. His mind began to work its way through the scene before him. “If your car still worked there is a good chance you would’ve headed back to Ian city. There you could’ve found a hotel or gone the long way around. I doubt it crossed your mind as it wasn’t an option.”

Eldridge examined the bridge before him, the listing nature of the structure felt odd given the bridge was still whole, the entire thing torn from the road leaving the remnants of what was the connection. Poles and wires stretched to their limits. He looked closer at the structure and realized what it was that felt off.

Given the rushing of water he would’ve expected the support to be washed out. Not lilting to the side, over the far end of the water. “Mr. Hinklebottom,” Eldridge said as he looked down the couple story cliff at the water below and took note of the few trees half submerged in the flow.

“Yes Mr. Skan,” Hinklebottom professionally replied.

“Is there any way we might be able to turn the limo around?” Eldridge asked his words quickly as he turned from the cliff’s edge.

“I doubt I could get enough room here, though I did see a turn off a quarter mile back.” Hinklebottom replied as he looked at the road around them. “I should be able to drive in reverse till…” His words trailed off as a low roar echoed around them.

“Bah, there is no time,” Eldridge said as he looked towards the hill. “Hinklebottom pull the limo up so it covers over here,” Eldirdge pointed to the other side of the silver vehicle. “We want to form a wedge to protect us.”

“Whatcha you thinking?” C asked as he nodded to his driver to listen to Eldridge.

“That none of this makes any sense.” Eldridge answered before he took in a deep breath. “Did those deer feel off to you?”

“Deer? You mean those that attacked you?” Byung asked as he walked up to the two men.

“Sorta,” Edridge answered. “We saw some on the way here.”

“So, you think we are about to be swarmed by deer?” C asked as his head began to swivel.

“Unfortunately, no.” Eldridge answered as he padded the weapons on his body. “That roar was too deep for a dear. I fear this could be something far worse.” His head snapped to Byung before he spoke again. “You have the shotgun with you?”

“No, why would I?” Byung replied. “It isn’t like this is my house.” The man said as he gestured to the wood around them.

“Because you’re supposed to have it with you for protection.” Eldridge said exasperated. “Did you at least get yourself a replacement? You know what, nevermind, here.” He continued as he bent over and pulled out a small pistol from a holster on his ankle. His other hand pulled out some mags from his other ankle. “This one has thirteen shots per mag, uses them well.”

Byung tentatively took the weapon, his face unsure. “At least I’m more familiar with pistols.” He mumbled as he looked the weapon over.

“Good,” Eldridge turned to look at his friend as the engine sound in the background faded. “What about you C, you have any weapons?”

“Should have some in the back of the limo,” C answered as he turned towards the vehicle. The next second saw the trunk pop open and Hinklebottom exiting from the driver’s side, the door left open in haste.

The next roar drew everyone up short. Eldridge turned to find three bears jogging their way onto the road before them. The beast’s fur was dark black, their eyes locked onto the party around him. Dread filled his gut as he tried to figure a way out. Eldridge knew the dangers of a bear attack, these beasts could easily take round after round from his side arm. He would have to hope the pain would slow them down, drive them away, or he got lucky with one of his shots.

His eye caught the open trunk near the front of the wedge and he sighed. C would need time to get to the trunk and arm up, hopefully with something more powerful than his two pistols. Unfortunately, They didn’t have that time. The bears would be on them within a few seconds. With that in mind, he jumped and slid over the trunk of the audi, his hands fired a few shots in hope they be a deterrent.

His feet landed firmly on the other side and he slowly began to fire and move forward like they taught him at the academy. He needed to intimidate, he couldn’t give ground, not at the moment. Not until C could get to his weapons. He heard some other shots firing, most likely from the pistol he gave Byung. Hopefully that man could do some damage with them as Eldridge distracted the beasts.

Forward, Eldridge ordered in his mind as he fired his pistols.

He could see the fur of his target turning a shade of red, so he knew it had to have some effect. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to stop their progress in the least. At their current rate of assault, he had at best seconds before the beasts were upon them. He could hear a rustling sound from behind him, so hopefully his allies were geared up and would soon be able to give their support.

“We’re good,” Hinklebottom replied as the sound of a trunk slammed down. Eldridge turned his head briefly to examine the scene. His allies were inside the protection of the cars, it was finally time for him to retreat.

Motion in front of him pulled his attention back just in time to see the beast leap at him. Eldridge had little time to react, his instincts pulled the strings of his motion. He kicked off with the balls of his feet in hopes to give himself some distance. It worked as the beast’s massive paws slammed into the pavement before him, the ground cracked under the pressure.

Eldridge unloaded his arms, the clicking of empty triggers soon filled the air. The beast’s blood red face growled as its left paw flicked out at Eldridge. Eldridge moved to dodge a little too late. The paw slammed against his chest; his feet torn from the ground. Pain radiated from his ribs as the world around him spun.