THE PENN CENTRE

It always enjoyed going to the local mall with my family. I didn't like trying on clothes but in the end I'd get an ice cream cone for putting up with a few minutes of discomfort. The mall had gotten bigger over the years as more and more stores were opening. And oh yeah, they also had a bear.

Maybe the bear had always been there and I hadn't noticed. But why was there a bear in a shopping mall? He looked so sad as people teased him and threw garbage into his cage. Looking at the bear all alone in that cold, damp cage started to upset me so I asked my parents if we could leave.

How had I not seen that bear before? It was really starting to bother me. His cage was dirty and stinky and except for some rude people, he had no company. His only companion was a toy fish he had been given. The fish was ripped up and dirty as it looked as though he had it for a long time.

My Dad and I went to back to the mall one evening after my soccer practice. I had to get a new pair of shoes and Buster Brown's was having a sale. I really didn't want to go but it was on the way home. I passed the bear's cage and tried not to look but ended up staring into his big sorrowful eyes. "C'mon Keith! Let's go!" my Dad shouted.

I sat silent during the ride home. I just wanted to take a shower and go to bed. "What's wrong Keith? You've been so quiet tonight." "I feel so bad for that poor bear at the mall." "Well I'm sure they take good care of him." "No they don't!" I snapped. "Watch your tone son." I stormed upstairs and slammed my bedroom door where I stayed until the next morning.

THE PENN CENTRE

FREE THE BEAR!

SAVE JEREMY!

When I get stressed out I like to go for long bike rides. As I rode down my usual route, I could see a big crowd, including a sweaty guy wearing a bear suit, in the parking lot of the mall. They were holding up signs and chanting "Free the Bear!" A security guard stood off in the distance glaring at them. I should've been a part of this. I felt so guilty.

"Gentlemen, thank you for volunteering for Operation Bear Rescue." "Volunteer? We were all sound asleep when you began banging on our bedroom windows. Why is she here?" Dean asked pointing at my little sister. "She was going to rat me out if she couldn't join. I have marked our point of entry and escape on the map." (Which was actually a map of Tanzania, Africa.)

It was 5 a.m. and the mall didn't open for another few hours. Dean, Seth, and Roman joined me on the roof of the building while my sister kept an eye out in case anyone showed up. I fastened a pair of ropes around my waist and chest and had the boys slowly lower me into the bear's cage. "Lower, lower" I whispered. "Not so fast!" I blurted out as I fell to the ground.