Summer at Steller's Creek

“Penny,” I said uneasily, “It’s getting dark.”

She looked around at the darkening water and deepening shadows. Then we stared at each other with wide eyes. “Let’s go!” she quavered.

We reeled in the fishing line, grabbed our bait can, and started back through the trees. In a few moments, we reached the trail and paused to catch our breath. Then we heard it.

Deep in the willow thicket, as if something heavy had stepped on it, a branch cracked. We stood paralyzed for a second.

“Don’t move!” I...