CHURCHILL KILLERS

By Scott E. Power

Believe it or not, there is a town in Canada where the law protects one of the most treacherous, fierce, blood-thirsty killers known to man. Not only does the law in this town protect the killer, but allows it the freedom to walk the streets, mingling with the citizens. Of course, the citizens hate this and do everything in their power not to associate with the killer and even carry guns to protect themselves.

But this killer is protected by law, and if anyone was to kill it there would be a full investigation as to the nature of the killing, to find out if it was done in self-defense. That would be the only justifiable way to kill the killer.

It was late on a Thursday night and the sky was speckled with stars. The air was cool, but not cold. Perfect walking weather, which is exactly why Ross refused a ride home from one of his friends and insisted on walking home.

For Ross it was in most ways a typical Thursday night. He had just gotten off work and met a few close friends at a town bar for a drink and a game of pool. But on this night Ross became abnormally tired and decided to leave early and go home to sleep. One of his buddies immediately offered him a ride home, but Ross refused, saying the cool night air would do him good. Besides, he only lived a few blocks away. Ross would never again refuse a ride home.

The walk home was as splendid as Ross had hoped. Instead of taking the shortcut through the park, he walked a longer route so he could enjoy the brilliance of the stars and the crisp air.

As he approaches his house he could feel the breeze blowing off Hudson's Bay. It was getting chilly and he thought to himself that he was glad to be almost home and close to his warm bed. Turning the corner, he could see the eight steps leading from the sidewalk to his porch. By now he was very fatigued and joked with himself about not being able to climb the steps. But he did, and as he climbed each one, he looked down so as not to stumble. At the same time he fumbled for his house key, which had settled deep down in his pocket.

Finally, at the top of the stairs and on his porch, he walked toward the door which was inside a foyer. He noticed the porch light had burned out and grumbled about how difficult it was to see. Then, he realized the door was gone. In the darkness he stepped on broken glass and splinters of wood, and knew the door had been destroyed.

Then, all at once, it happened. The reality of his worst nightmare was upon him in the darkness. He could sense it. Feel it. But there was nothing for him to do except look up and face it. For in the darkness of his porch he could see the outline of the thing he had feared all his life. The thing that had made his town of Churchill, Manitoba so popular, yet so deadly. For in the blackness where he stood was the killer, a polar bear.

To understand the horror Ross was facing, you must realize that polar bears, an endangered species protected by law, are the only mammals with no natural predators. They are the King of Beasts and fear nothing. They stalk and kill humans. Without the power of a shotgun, you are helpless. You die by the ripping teeth and crushing jaws of the white bear beast. It will kill you and eat you.

Ross knew this. Ross didn't have a shotgun. Although bears can out-run humans, Ross had no other choice but to run. And he did. Ross ran and ran and ran. He did not look back. But he could hear his predator growling and grunting as it chased its prey.

Ross saw in the distance his only hope, the church. Often in the small community of Churchill, the church doors were left opened for its members and, if that held true this night, he had a chance to live. Panting and sweating, with his heart hammering inside his chest cavity, he reached the church doors, clutched the door handle with a white-knuckled grip and pulled. It was locked.

At this moment, he looked to his right and saw his killer running straight for him. The bear was so close he could hear the gravel crunching underneath its huge paws.

Ross took off running again- this time for the bar where he knew the door would be open and his friends would be inside. It was his last hope.

As he ran he was able to make quick turns between buildings and through an alley that gave him a few seconds more of a lead on the bear. Finally, the tavern was in sight and the lights were on the inside. His friends were still there!

He got to the door and could hear laughter inside. There was no time to think, his killer was closing in. Ross put his right hand on the door handle and put his left hand on the oblong window parallel to the door. He pulled the handle with so much force his left hand went through the window shattering it and cutting his hand to shreds. The door was locked! He couldn't reach far enough through the window to open it from the inside. He knew it was over. He turned around see the bear closing in. He stood there awaiting in his death.

But as Ross stood there in shock, a taxi cab turned the corner onto the street. The driver saw the bear closing in on the motionless man in the tavern doorway. The animal had crossed the road and was just feet away from Ross. Knowing he had no time and no alternatives, the driver slammed the accelerator to the floor. The taxi flew over the curb toward man and bear at more than fifty miles per hour.

The car hit the bear, destroying both the auto and the beast-all not more than ten feet from where Ross stood!


STORY OUTLINE

I. Ross walks home late one night from a bar where he had been drinking with some friends.

II. When he arrives at his porch he sees a huge polar bear asleep on his step.

III. All he can do is turn and run. The bear chases him.

IV. Ross runs through the little town of Churchill and tries to find shelter inside buildings, but all the doors are locked. The bear is closing in.

V. He arrives back at a bar and tries to door, but it is also locked. There is no other place to run. He turns around and watches the bear running toward him, ready to eat him alive.

VI. As Ross stands preparing to die, a taxi cab turns that corner and the driver see what's happening. The driver speeds up and deliberately hits the bear, killing, totaling the car and saving Ross's life.