The Tale of Bear Creek

A Story by David Burke

It's a story lol

For nineteen year old Scott Anderson, life

in Alabama was pretty simple. It was filled with long summers, sweet tea, and small town gossip. Yes everyone knew that Bear Creek had it's secrets, but there was one that would soon change Scott's life forever. It started out like any other day. When the sun came up; he threw on some jeans and a t-shirt, hopped in his truck, and headed to the park to hangout with his best friend Matt Hunter. Matt was always at the park, because according to him it's where he did his best thinking. If you asked Scott, he would say it was because it's the only place as quiet as he is. As he entered the park gate after parking his truck, he found Matt sitting in peace on the same park bench staring at the lake. It almost seemed cruel to bother him, but that never stopped him before. He sat beside him, bumped his fist, and began discussing the plans for the day. “So Hunter, what you up to today?”, asked Scott intently. “Depends on what you have in mind Anderson.”, chuckled Matt. “I was thinking we could go camping, like you said you would three weeks ago.”, said Scott with a slight glare. “Come on man, you remember what happened last time.”, exclaimed Matt. “How was I supposed to know a raccoon was going to sneak into your tent?”, asked Scott defensively. “I don't care, I'm not going.”, Matt proclaimed. “Tell you what, if you come I'll build you a fence around your tent.”, offered Scott sarcastically. After awhile of thinking, Matt finally accepted his offer. They made plans to go to the market, get some some supplies, and head out by noon. “You better build me a fence man, I'm not playing.”, demanded Matt playfully. “I told you I would.”, laughed Scott starting his truck. “I'm not talking some little Tom Sawyer picket fence either, I want the freaking Berlin wall with like a sunroof and cup holders.”, teased Matt. “I'll build you a four bedroom house if it'll make you shut up.” he teased back. They then shared a quick laugh and went into the market to get what they needed. Matt went to grab two twenty four packs of Pepsi, and Scott took care of the food. As he began to look for hotdogs and marshmallows he was greeted by his long time crush Angela Carter. “Hey Scott.”, she whispered with a smile. She had just finished her shift for the day, and was eager to find something to do. “Uh, hey Ang what's up?”, he asked slightly nervous. “Um, not much, just got off work; you?”, she replied. “Me and Hunter are fixing to go camping up at Maple Ridge for a few days.”, he answered now more calm than before. “That sounds fun.”, she said looking at the floor. “Got room for one more?”, she asked timidly. “Um, yeah.”, said Scott a little excited. “Meet us at the park at noon.”, he said with a bashful little grin. “Ok, but I can only stay for the night because I have work tomorrow at three.”, she said grinning back. “That's fine, we'll just have to make tonight special.”, he whispered. Angela smiled that same smile that captured his heart in the sixth grade, then kissed his cheek and started towards her car. “see you at noon.”, she giggled. “Bye!”, screamed Scott more nervous than ever. He was soon rejoined by Matt who then took the groceries up to the counter. Before he could leave, Scott was greet by yet another familiar face. It was his neighbor he had known since birth Aggie Dodson, or as he called her “Mrs. Aggie”. “Scott Anderson, I thought that was you, come give old Aggie a hug darlin.”, she announced with a smile. Scott quickly gave her a hug, and asked how she doing. “I'm doing pretty good, you hanging out with Sam's boy?”, she asked referring to Matt. “Yes mam.”, he confirmed nicely. “Y'all be careful now, I don't want my babies getting hurt.” she said pinching his cheek. “Don't worry Mrs. Aggie, we'll be okay.”, he laughed. “I heard you talking to little Angela Carter a little while ago, you be a gentleman just like your momma and I raised you; understand?”, she said sternly. “Yes Mrs. Aggie.”, assured Scott. He gave her one last hug and went to his truck where Matt was waiting. “Dude, what took you so long?”, asked Matt. “I ran into Mrs. Aggie man, chill you want to drive?”, he laughed. “No, you know I don't like driving.”, he said nervously. “I know dude, my bad.”, said Scott. Then they went back to Scott's house, loaded up the truck, and met up with Angela at the park. When they arrived at Maple Ridge, they got the tents set up, built a fire, and as he promised Scott built a fence around Matt's tent. They spent the rest of the night telling stories, and laughing around the fire. Soon after it got dark, they decided to turn in. Matt looked at his fenced in tent with a smile. “That ought to do it.”, he said jokingly. Then he said goodnight, and zipped up the tent door. Scott entered his tent, and found Angela curled up in his sleeping bag. She was wearing a T-shirt, hello kitty pajama bottoms, and a smile. “Hi..”, he mumbled nervously. “What are you waiting for silly?”, she giggled motioning him forward. He slowly walked toward her a little nervous at first, but became a little more comfortable with every step. When he reached his destination, she pulled him close and put his arm behind her right hip. Scott's heartbeat, and breathing began taking turns rising and falling. Angela then placed her head gently on his chest, and hugged him tightly. A small smile began to form on Scott's slightly chapped lips. Angela hadn't stopped smiling since their meeting at the market. As the night went on, they both fought sleep for just a few more minutes of smiles and laughter. “Scott, can I ask you something?”, she asked confidently. “Sure Ang, what's up?”, said Scott peacefully. “First, I love it when you call me that.”, she exclaimed with a giggle. “Second, will you be my...”, she mumbled; her confidence now fading. Now her heartbeat began to pick up, like a tribal drum. “Yes Angela, I'll be your boyfriend.”, said a now more confident Scott. “No, No, No, I want to do this right.”, she laughed. Angela then sat up, gently placed her hands on his cheeks, gripped the back of his head, and pulled him in softly for a kiss that left him momentarily immobile. “Scott Anderson, will you be my boyfriend?”, asked Angela; now smiling at his goofy grin. “How could I say no to that?”, he asked laughing playfully. She smiled, returned to her position on his chest, and the two of them slowly drifted off to sleep. The next day, Scott and Angela awoke early to watch the sunset before her departure. Soon after the sunset, Matt emerged from his tent to see Scott and Angela saying goodbye. Scott was holding her waste, and giving her a farewell kiss. Once she was gone, Matt began to smile and raise his eyebrows repeatedly. “Oh, shut up.”, said Scott laughing. “Soooo, you and Angela huh?”, asked Matt playfully. “Yeah, can you believe it?”, asked an excited Scott. “Well yeah, you can have anything you want here..”, Matt snickered. “What's that supposed to mean?”, asked Scott slightly offended. Matt chuckled a little and said, “Nothing man, just drop it okay.”; then looked at the ground nervously. “Dude, are you alright?” teased Scott. “you're acting like I just asked you to drive or something, what's with that anyway?”, he asked innocently. “I said drop it dude, can't you take a freaking hint?”, said Matt aggravated. “Look, I'm sorry dude I got to go.”, he said calming down. “It's okay man, I'll drive you back.”, said Scott. The two then packed their things, loaded up the truck, and headed back to Bear Creek. Once they were back in town, Matt got out and quickly said goodbye. Scott was pretty confused, he had never seen him act this way before. Matt walked straight to the market, grabbed Angela, and lead her hastily toward the break room. He slammed the door, and began to pace back and forth. “Matt, calm down, what's wrong?”, asked Angela worried. “I almost slipped up to Scott today.”, said Matt between panicky breaths. Angela's heart began to race, and her eyes widened immensely. “What?, How?”, she asked frightened. “We were talking after you left, and I told him he could have whatever he wanted here.”, he said ashamed. “Why the heck did you do that?”, Angela asked now trying to have a panic attack. “I don't know alright, I wasn't thinking and I almost told him.” Matt explained. “Maybe we should tell him..”, said Angela now calm again. “Are you crazy?”, asked Matt. “He can never know, never.”, he exclaimed. “Matt I can't keep on hurting him, we have to.”, she pouted. Matt began to ponder the idea, but quickly changed his mind. “Matt please tell him, you have to you're his best friend.”, she begged. “No Angela, I was his best friend.”, said Matt brokenheartedly. Then he hung his head a little, and left before she could ask him again. Angela sat on the couch, wiping her tears as they fell. She thought for awhile, and decided to tell Scott herself no matter what Matt said. Angela left the market quickly, and went straight to Scott's house. Scott greeted her with a kiss, and asked her what was wrong. “Scotty, we need to talk.”, she said trying not to cry. “What's wrong sweetie?”, asked Scott concerned. “There's something I need to tell you.., but.. I can't.”, said Angela now crying uncontrollably. “Babe, what's wrong?”, he asked. Angela couldn't manage anymore words, so she just gave him a kiss and left as quickly as she could. Scott wasn't sure what to do or think, so he decided to find Matt and figure out what was going on. He hopped in his truck, and headed for the park hoping Matt would be there. When he arrived, Matt was nowhere to be found. All he saw was an empty bench under an old oak tree. It didn't make sense, Matt was always at the park. Now Scott was beginning to panic, so with no other options he went to Mrs. Aggie's house. He turned into her gravel drive way, hopped out of is truck, and began to knock violently on her door. Mrs. Aggie answered the door, and quickly asked what was wrong. “Mrs. Aggie, you got to help me, Angela and Matt are acting weird, and he's not at the park; I think something's really wrong.”, said Scott as fast as he could. Mrs. Aggie told him to calm down, and come inside so they could talk. He entered quickly, and sat on the couch holding his head in his hands. “So, what's wrong with little Angie darlin?”, asked Aggie sweetly. “I don't know, she won't tell me.”, said Scott holding back tears. “Okay, what about you and Sam's boy?”, she asked. “He's been acting so weird lately.”, he said confused. “When did this start sweetie?”, asked Aggie concerned. “When we went camping yesterday, we started talking after Angela left; and he said I could have anything I wanted here.”, said Scott still sad and confused. “Well he's right you know.”, laughed Mrs. Aggie. “What do you mean?”, asked Scott. “Honey, haven't you ever wondered why you never leave town?”, she said smiling. “Tell me, when's the last time you're parents were home?”, she asked playfully. “I...I'm not sure.”, said Scott thinking harder than ever. “What's your dad's name?”, Aggie asked. “I..don't remember.”, he stammered. She walked over and sat beside him on the couch. “Why can't I remember?”, he asked slightly worried. “When you want to, you will darlin.”, said Aggie softly rubbing his back. “You know, little Matt Hunter is afraid of driving.”, she said calmly. “Yeah, I know.” answered Scott. “Yes, but do you know why?”, asked Aggie with a smile. “No, he never told me.”, said Scott cheering up a little. “Well, would you like to know hun?” she offered sweetly. “Of course, but he'd never tell me.”, he said sadly. “He doesn't have to darlin.”, Aggie chuckled. “What do you mean?”, he asked puzzled. “Just close your eyes darlin, you'll see.”, she said with a comforting tone. Scott did as he was told, and closed his eyes slowly as Aggie reached to cover them. He awoke two minutes later to find himself lying in a hospital bed. The sign outside his window said Groverville County Psych Ward. “That's just outside of Bear Creek.”, he thought to himself. As he began to scan the room he noticed a newspaper clipping with Matt's picture on the desk beside him. He quickly grabbed it and began to read. It read, “Matthew Shawn Hunter a great son, cousin, and friend to all who knew him. He was taken from this world in the prime of his youth; after he lost control of his car on the highway, and died on impact. He will be missed greatly by all.”, it was dated January 26^th

, 1996; two years ago. Scott began to tear up, and placed the frame back on the desk. He laid back down to think about all that was happening, when a woman in a white coat walked in. “How are we doing today darlin?”, asked a familiar voice. Scott looked at her name tag as she sat down; it read, “Doctor A. Dodson.”. “I'm ok I guess..”, he sighed gently. “That's good honey, you go ahead and get some rest you look a little tired.” she said with the same smile she always wore. Scott closed his eyes, and within five minutes he was back in Bear Creek on Aggie's couch. She sat there smiling, and gave him a hug to comfort him. “Now do you understand darlin?” she asked. “So.., none of this was real?”, asked Scott. “That's right.”, said Matt and Angela simultaneously. Scott walked over with tears in his eyes, and hugged both of them.

“You see hun, to deal with the loss of Matt; you created this dream world with all of us to escape the truth.”, said Aggie calmly.

“I'm sorry Matt, I wish there was something I could do.”, he said through tears. “There is one thing.”, said Matt smiling. “What's that?”, said Scott wiping his face. “Let me go, you don't need me anymore.”, said Matt calmly. “Okay, I understand.”, he said with a nod. “don't worry man, I'm closer than you think.” chuckled Matt smiling and pointing at Scott's heart. After Scott hugged Matt one last time and said goodbye, Angela walked over and put his arms around her waste. “Will I ever see you again?”, asked Scott grinning slightly. “Well, just in case you don't.”, she said before pulling him in, and kissing him. “I love you Ang.”, he said with a smile. “I love you too Scotty.”, she giggle. “Are you ready to go darlin?”, ask Mrs. Aggie placing her hand on his shoulder. He nodded slowly, said his goodbyes, and closed his eyes. In a matter of minutes he was back in the hospital. His eyes once again slowly scanned the room, but this time they found something new. Beside the article on the desk was a picture of Angela. He held it close to him and began to smile bigger, and brighter than he ever had in his life. “Hey Scotty.”, whispered a voice from across the room. When he looked up, there she was standing in the doorway; smiling that same smile that captured his heart in the sixth grade.