A New Chapter

Authors Note: This is a predicting piece about Touching Spirit Bear explaining what I predict will happen and explains a new chapter that I think would happen in this book.

           

How would you feel if you were a criminal for half your life? In the book, Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen, Cole is a mean bully who beats a kid up named Peter Driscal. Cole was later arrested and sentenced to a choice between being banished to a deserted Alaskan island or going to jail. He chose the island because he thought it was the easiest. On the island he tried to kill a Spirit Bear, but got mauled. About 1 day later he was taken to the hospital. Once he recovered, he had to go back to the island to finish his year on the island. When he returned to the island, he was a changed person. Three weeks later, Cole got word that Peter had tried to commit suicide two times and was coming to the island to see if Cole could do something to help him.

I predict that they would be awkward together, but in the end they will become best friends. I believe this because Cole seemed scared that he caused a kid to be so scared of him that he would attempt suicide two times. Also I think that Cole will teach Peter to be “invisible” by learning to forgive and clear their minds to be able to see the Spirit Bear. I believe this because Peter states, “Spirit Bears don’t exist.” This makes Cole sad that he has messed up his life so much that no one believes him and also that he can show how this island can change a person’s life around.

“I don’t want to be here with this criminal, why are my parents so stupid?!” thought Peter as he arrived to the island. When he got off the boat and saw Cole, Peter immediately, ran for the cabin, stumbling every few steps.

“I’ll go check on him,” said Garvey.

Cole mesmerized by the image of Peter being so scared of him thought to himself, “Have I really hurt this kid that bad that he is afraid to look at me?”

Three days later

“Hey, do you guys want to go swimming in the pond with me?” Cole asked hesitantly.

“Sure” replied Peter and Garvey simultaneously.

After a long hike to the pond, Cole explained to Peter how to become invisible. He only explained this to Peter because Garvey was the one who helped Cole become invisible. After they soaked in the pond for a while, a faint rustling in the distance occurred.

“What was that?” Peter said partially frightened.

“I don’t know, just relax Peter.” Cole said in a very relaxed manner.

After about 20 seconds they heard another rustling this time closer to them. When they turned their heads, there it was, a Spirit Bear about 20 feet away from them standing at a staggering 8 feet tall.

Peter started to scream, but Cole placed his hand over his mouth and calmed him down.

“It won’t hurt you Peter, if you don’t threaten it,” whispered Cole.

Peter convinced Cole to take his hand off his mouth and Peter stared at the Spirit Bear with amazement.

“We became invisible,” said Cole with a big smile on his face.

“Cool!” exclaimed Peter.

Later that day, Peter’s parents came on a boat to pick Peter up. Peter and Cole exchanged goodbyes and Cole watched Peters distant outline disappear into the sunset.

With the biggest smile Cole has ever had, he said, “I finally have a friend.”