Ethan pressed himself against the train car's cold steel, the shovel's handle digging into his palm as the bear's shadow loomed closer. Mia crouched beside him, axe gripped tight, her breath fogging in the chilly air. Cal and Tara huddled behind a rusted wheel axle, javelin and bat poised, their silhouettes tense against the gravel. The bear lumbered into view, its massive frame filling the yard—ten feet tall at the shoulder, fur matted with dirt and blood, short snout snuffling the ground. [Predator Sense] tracked its bulk—slow but deliberate, claws scraping the rails with each step.
The train yard stretched around them, a maze of tipped cars and twisted tracks, the air sharp with rust and oil. [Perception] caught the glint of a broken rail spike half-buried nearby, its point dulled but solid. Ethan grabbed it, tucking it into his belt—no time to test it now. The bear snorted, head swinging toward their hiding spot, its breath a low growl that rattled the gravel.
"We can't fight that," Cal hissed, javelin trembling slightly. "It'll crush us."
"Back to the fence," Ethan said, voice low. "Move quiet, use the cars."
Mia nodded, shifting to her feet, axe held close. Tara tapped her bat against the axle, a faint clink, and the bear's ears twitched. It lumbered forward, closing the gap, its claws gouging the earth. Ethan waved the group back, leading them along the train car's length, sticking to its shadow.
They darted between cars, gravel crunching underfoot, the bear's growls echoing behind. [Predator Sense] mapped its path—it was tracking their scent, weaving through the yard, too big to squeeze into the narrower gaps. Ethan stopped at a flatbed car, its platform tilted but intact, a coil of rusted chain piled on one end. He grabbed the chain, handing it to Cal. "Loop it—trip it up."
Cal slung the javelin over his shoulder and took the chain, wrapping it around a coupling hook on the flatbed. Tara stepped up, bat ready, while Mia held the other end, tugging it taut across the gap between cars. The bear rounded the corner, snout low, eyes glinting in the dim light. Ethan hefted the shovel, stepping into the open.
"Hey!" he shouted, banging the shovel against the car's side. The clang rang out, sharp and loud, drawing the bear's charge. It barreled forward, claws tearing the gravel, and hit the chain. The links snapped tight, catching its front legs, and it stumbled, roaring as it crashed into the flatbed. Metal groaned, the car tipping further, but the bear thrashed free, shaking off the chain.
"Move!" Ethan yelled, shoving Mia toward the fence. Cal and Tara bolted after her, dodging a swipe of the bear's paw that crumpled a car door. Ethan lagged, shovel raised, luring it away from the group. The bear lunged, jaws snapping, and he swung, the blade cracking against its snout. It recoiled, snarling, giving him a heartbeat to run.
He sprinted for the fence, [Agility] carrying him over a fallen rail. Mia held the chain-link gap open, Cal and Tara already through, waving him on. The bear's roar shook the yard, its bulk crashing through debris, but the fence was too narrow—it slammed against the posts, bending them but not breaking through.
Ethan dove through the gap, landing hard on the athletic field's turf. Mia let the fence snap shut, the bear's claws raking the links as it bellowed. The group backed off, weapons up, watching it pace the barrier, its growls fading into the night.
"Tracks aren't clear," Cal said, catching his breath, javelin back in hand.
"No kidding," Tara muttered, resting her bat on the ground.
Ethan wiped sweat from his brow, shovel still gripped tight. [Predator Sense] settled—the bear wasn't following, stuck on the yard's side. He pulled the whistle from his pocket and blew once, a sharp blast cutting through the air—trouble, per Riley's code.
Mia adjusted her axe, glancing at the gym's faint outline. "Back?"
"Yeah," Ethan said, nodding west. "They need to know."
They retraced their steps across the fields, the turf soft and uneven underfoot, the sinkhole's glow a distant smear to the south. The gym's barricade came into view, Pete's spear poking through the gap as they approached. He dragged a mat aside, letting them in.
Riley stood by the fire pit, machete in hand, as they filed inside. "One blast," she said, voice clipped. "What'd you find?"
"Bear," Ethan said, setting the shovel down. "Big one. Blocks the yard. Tracks are a no-go."
Cal tossed the broken chain onto a bleacher. "Nearly got us. West's dead."
Riley cursed, kicking a can into the fire. "Figures. Rest up—we'll sort it tomorrow."
[Objective completed: Scout the train yard]
[Attributes Gained: +1 Agility]
[Rewards Gained: None]
Ethan flexed his legs, the boost subtle but there, and joined Mia by the bleachers. Tara slumped onto a blanket, bat at her side, while Cal sharpened his javelin.