Free The New World: A Step Backward by Andy Skrzynski

from me.  Let's walk in parallel until we reach the end, then shift over and head back again.  Keep scanning side to side and up and down."
    "I understand.  Let's go.  We have a large area to scout before nightfall, and I don't intend to be trouncing out here after dark.  Let's get back to the campsite by dusk."
    After five hours of trudging across logs and thorny thickets, but not discovering anything other than a hornet's nest the size of a watermelon, distant movement and noises triggered Bartuk's senses.  He stopped in his tracks.
    Not wanting to yell for fear of spooking the unsuspecting being, he withdrew an arrow from his quiver, raised his bow, and let go of the shaft in Tradulka's direction, striking a tree 10 feet from his buddy.  Tradulka jumped back and yelled.  "Shivers, what are you doing?"
    Bartuk waved both arms and motioned him to be silent and join him.  He spun toward the previous action.  Dirt, stones, and sticks flew six feet in the air.  Grabbing another arrow, he placed it against Dream and slowly approached the source of the disruption.  Drops of sweat trickled down his curly, thin sideburns while his breath quickened.
    His friend caught up and whispered.  "What did you find?"
    Bartuk pointed towards the projectiles soaring from behind an elm.  Muffled groans and groveling noises emanated from the area as they neared the commotion.  "Be careful.  Get Red ready.  Look, there's more activity."
    Acute curiosity consumed him, and he cautiously inched closer.  His stomach muscles contorted as he leaned and craned his neck to take a peek over a small hill of clay.
    Searing pain spiked his forehead as a hard, flying object struck him.  He stumbled backward, disoriented as his eyes blurred and legs wobbled.  "What is it?  What just hit me?"  His heart raced as if trying to escape.  "Get the beast!  Kill it!"  He glared at Tradulka, not believing what unfolded before him.
    His partner laughed so hard tears ran down his cheeks.  "Stop it, you're making my stomach hurt."  Tradulka continued, laughing uncontrollably and snorting while he pointed and shook his finger.  "Look!"
    A furry black and tan creature emerged from behind the mound, lifting his snout and sniffing around as the common burrower picked up their scent.  "It's just a wolverine digging out a den."
    Bartuk lowered Dream to his side as air rushed from his lungs.  "Whew, I thought for sure it might have been one of them — you know."  Gathering himself, he took a wide path around the busy critter, watching to make sure there was nothing unusual as they passed.
    As they continued their search, he heard Tradulka snickering behind him but chose to ignore it.  "Everything appears to be okay.  Maybe — if you would control your laughing — we could get back to our pattern.  We only have an hour left.  Be careful, there may still be predators looming out there — something much more frightening than that wolverine.  Keep your eyes and ears open."
     
    Nighttime ~ 8:30 pm
    Bartuk sat across from his pal, enjoying the campfire.  He laid a small, willow branch next to his side. "I hate to say this because I love adventure as much as anybody, but I'm just happy that wolverine wasn't a mutant."
    As the evening's light withered to darkness, bullfrogs hoping to discover a mate started croaking.  Savoring the peaceful sounds, Bartuk looked out over the lake.  Oh, my feet are killing me.
    He tried ignoring the pain as he tossed another log on the fire, enough to keep a low flame on a warm evening but still ward off threatening animals.  "That was a lot of hiking today.  I'm glad to be off my feet."
    "I'm with you on that."  Tradulka took a sip of moonshine he kept in a flask by his side.  "Want a touch?"  He extended the brew toward his companion.
    "Sounds like a great idea."
    Tradulka scooted over to get a view of the lake as well.
    While his friend was preoccupied, Bartuk snuck behind him, taking the branch and slowly