BLOOD TIES (Decklan Jennings Thriller Book 1) by Philip Duncan (book recommendations for young adults txt) 📕

“It was around the same time that we started to drift apart. You were getting older and more into your wrestling, and never had time for your little brother. And then once Mom and Dad died, it all went to shit,” Parker said, looking genuinely hurt. “It was never going to be the same and I was the only one who cared.”

Decklan stood his ground but wasn’t angry. Instead, he felt guilty. He felt like he had abandoned his little brother. Could everything that Parker had been through in his life that had led him to his choices be because of Decklan?

No way. Everyone is responsible for their choices, Decklan thought to himself.

“I’m sorry, Parker. I honestly didn’t know you cared that much. I figured it was just a normal thing brothers did as they got older. You know, go their separate ways,” Decklan said, trying to justify his own actions.

Parker rolled his eyes. “Okay Deck, whatever you say.”

They were both irritated, which was interesting considering what brought them here in the first place. It was almost as if Parker was trying to guilt-trip his older brother into feeling sorry for him. Perhaps if he felt sorry enough, he would let his brother go and not turn him in. After all, Decklan was the only person still alive who knew of his involvement. Well, Decklan and the big guy.

“Let’s keep moving,” Decklan said, pulling his brother's arm forward, indicating it was time to start walking again.

This time, Decklan didn’t walk behind Parker. Instead, he walked side by side with his brother. They made it back to the mountain stream that they had both passed through the first time.

“Not this shit again,” Parker said, not wanting to go back into the freezing cold water. “There has to be another way around.”

“There’s not,” Decklan said directly. “And even if there was, we are running out of daylight. We need to get back before it gets dark.”

“Fine. You first,” Parker replied.

“No way! I don’t trust you to follow suit,” Decklan said. Which was smart considering Parker’s time as a free man was limited and running out by the second. “You’re going to go first, and then you will wait for me on the other side. If I think for one second you’re up to something, I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”

“Jesus, Deck! Relax. I’ll go,” Parker replied.

Out of nowhere they both heard a loud grunt.

“Holy shit! What the hell was that?” Parker said, as they both looked around.

“Sounded like a…” but before Decklan could finish, they both laid eyes on a four-hundred-pound black bear.

They both froze, knowing good and well they had no chance at outrunning a black bear. They could both make for the water and swim to the other side, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t follow. Decklan could tell it was a male bear by its sheer size. He slowly moved his hand down to his pistol, grabbing the handle slowly, trying not to make any sudden movements. Black bears were typically non-aggressive toward humans unless they were hungry or protecting their cubs. They didn’t see any bear cubs walking around but this big guy looked like he had all intentions of making a move. The bear inched his way closer, letting out another warning grunt as his giant body rocked back and forth with every step.

“What the hell are we going to do, Deck?” Parker asked. “Shoot him before we become his dinner.”

“Not yet. Just stay calm and don’t move until I tell you,” Decklan said.

This was the first bear encounter for him, but he had his fair share of wild animal encounters when he was overseas. He knew the best course of action was to remain calm and not make any sudden movements that could come off as threatening. Most animals won’t attack humans unless they feel threatened.

“Screw that!” Parker said, as he turned and jumped in the water.

“Parker! What the hell are you doing? You’re going to get us both killed.”

But it was too late. Parker was already halfway across the stream with no intentions of turning back. Decklan remained calm and didn’t dare turn his back to the irritated bear. He held up one hand, indicating he wasn’t a threat, and inched his way back toward the water. He turned his head enough to see Parker on the other side and realized shit just got a whole lot more complicated.

Parker had taken off running back into the woods as soon as his feet hit dry land. It appeared he wasn’t ready to turn himself in and wasn’t going down without a fight.

Son of a bitch! You little snake!

Decklan turned back toward the bear, and slowly pulled out his pistol with his other hand. He didn’t see a need to kill the bear, so instead he fired two warning shots into the air. He figured by doing this it would serve two purposes: scare the bear away so he could go after his brother, and let his brother know he was done playing games. The massive male quickly backed down and turned away in defeat. Decklan wasted no time getting back across the water and making his way back to camp. He knew his brother would either get back to his car and take off somewhere else or hole up in one of the cabins and they would have to fight to the death.

It didn’t take Decklan long to get back near the entrance into the woods. As soon as he could see the path that would lead him back down into camp, he felt a bullet whiz right past his head and strike a tree to his right.

Holy shit!

He quickly hit the ground and found cover behind some trees. It appeared that Parker had picked up Decklan’s rifle when he crossed the river.

“I’m not going back!” Parker yelled, hidden somewhere in the woods. “I can’t spend the rest of my life in