The Winter People by Bret Tallent

couldn't remember ever misjudging a person, yet.  These
two seemed like honest kids, not at all what he was expecting.  He thought they
would be spoiled, smart ass punks who figured the world owed them something. 
But Nick and Mike weren't like that at all.  They seemed to be pretty much like
he had been at that age.  The comparison dredged up a faint but brief smile.
    Nick was about
four inches taller than Mike, Hayden figured, and Mike looked to be about six
foot even.  Some people seemed to belong to certain people more than others,
and this was the impression Hayden got from these two.  They just looked like
they should be friends.  They complimented each other.  They were both tall and
lean, and Hayden figured that they played a mean game of basketball.
    Nick had a more
wiry build than Mike though, and appeared to be a little stouter.  As far as
Hayden could tell anyway, they were pretty well hidden beneath their bulky
winter wear.  Mike's hair was jet black whereas Nick's was a light brown.  Mike
had thick eyebrows while Nick's were narrow.  Both men had angular faces and
sharp features.  However, Nick's complexion was considerably lighter than
Mike's.
    Nick's eyes were a
pale hazel against the dark brown of Mike's, although his were partially
obscured by his glasses.  Round, black things that made Mike look kind of like
that kid from those wizard books.  The thought caused Hayden to smile
inwardly.  Hayden figured Mike to be Hispanic even though he had no accent, and
Nick was your typical white boy.  Hayden decided that they were okay.
    Hayden followed
Route 14 into Copper Creek, past the Ranger Station.  The lights were off
inside but the huge floods outside illuminated the flag, waving panic stricken
in the gale force winds that lashed at it.  Hayden could also make out part of
the radio tower, peaking somewhere far above him, out of sight.  He cast it
only a casual glance as he passed, concentrating primarily on his driving in
the worsening conditions.
    "Wasn't that
the Ranger Station Sher....uh…Hayden?"  Mike had asked quickly, his tone
stressing the fact that they had just passed it.
    Hayden gave them
both a side long glance, "Yeah, but I thought I would buy you two boys a
drink."  His tone was soft, warm, and caring.  He knew what they must have
gone through tonight; he had been there himself nearly fifty years ago, then
again tonight.  He knew that he needed a stiff one at any rate. Nick snapped
out of his daze and looked over at Hayden.  Mike's mouth only formed the word
"oh" but said nothing.
     "Something's been bothering
me Hayden," Nick said, "Back there at the wreck you said that a rogue
bear had done it?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Well, it's
the middle of winter.  Aren't bears hibernating now?"  Mike also turned
his attention to Hayden.
    "I'm afraid
that's an old wives tale, that bears sleep all winter.  The truth is that some
bears get up several times during the winter to eat.  There's something else
that I didn't tell you back there.  There was a gouge in the side of the Jeep. 
It looked like a bear claw mark.  And from the gaps between the grooves, it
looks like a big one," Hayden explained.
    "No shit?! 
What kind of bear is it?"  Mikes eyes flashed and there was a strange look
on his face, a look of astonishment, wonder, and fear.
    "From the
size, I think we're dealing with a Grizzly.  And now that he's tasted human
blood . . ." Hayden's voice trailed off.  He didn't even want to think
about the consequences.  A brief tremor rippled through him.  Mike nodded
slowly, understanding the significance of that.  Nick stared past Hayden,
thinking something entirely different.
    He couldn't
explain the feelings he was getting, but he was positive that it wasn't a
bear.  Some primitive fear deep inside told him it was something else,
something that they were totally unprepared for.  This feeling was aided in
part, Nick thought, by the eerie storm they were caught in.  He had a