Vision Quest; A Time To Live

All Mike could see were the two figures standing beside a dark clump on the ground just a few feet in front of them. He decided to move to his left to another boulder that would give him a much better view of the two people. He didn’t want to show himself until he was sure it was safe. Adjusting his knapsack on his back, and checking to make sure the hunting knife was secure in his belt, he crouched low, creeping to the second boulder. His left foot hit a dead twig on the ground and it snapped. “Wot was thet? Did ya ‘ear thet, boy? I’s ‘ear somptin. Thet ya makin thet noise, boy?” “ I’s did’dent do nothin, Pap. Ya jest a mite jumpity ever since ya sees’em.” “Weel, lets git these done an git out of’ ‘ear.” Mike peeked out from behind the boulder; suddenly he realized what the two were doing. It’s a bear! They shot a bear! They can’t do that. Ruff said the bears here were protected. This is a national park. No hunting of any kind is allowed here. Mike slipped behind the boulder and leaned his back against it. They’re skinning out a bear that they shot illegally! Hey, they’re poachers. Mike peered around the boulder for the second time and watched the two at work. That’s what they are, all right. They shot a bear and--wait a minute, what’s that kid doing? There’s another. Another bear. They shot two of them. They shot two bears. Wait, I can see them now, it’s the cubs, the ones from last night, and they shot the cubs!