Title: Away From the Ring
Featuring: Big Bear
Date: October 21, 2007
Location: Alaskan Badlands

The following takes place between the time you last saw Big Bear in PRIME (Sept. 27, 2007) and his resurrection at ReVolution 232 in October, 2010.

October 21st, 2007

Sheriff Barnes nods politely, “We just ask everyone to pray for little Katie Sullinger.”

Jacob Barnes finds the pressures of his job to be tolerable �" most of the time �" but when a little girl’s life hangs in the balance, it kind of hits home. Especially when three of the four Barnes children are girls that look a lot like the missing teenage girl; blond hair, blue eyes, full cheeks, and priceless smile.

As he steps away from the podium just outside the Alaska State Police barracks in Fairbanks, the gathering mass swarms him with questions and comments aimed to get a reaction. Jacob strolls into the lobby where FBI Agents Jack Redwater and Lois Price wait for him. He offers them a handshake before they get down to business.

“Agents,” Barnes gestures down the hallway. “Please, let’s go to my office. Georgie, bring us some coffee and some food. The Agents have had a long trip.”

The deputy heads off as ordered and Sheriff Barnes leads the two finest missing persons agent in the FBI to his office. Once inside the office, Barnes drops the shades and gives them the utmost privacy. Deputy George Riggans brings them their coffee.

“Thank you Deputy,” Barnes closes the door as the youngster heads out.

The graying lawman of Fairbanks strolls behind his desk and takes a seat, rubbing his fingers deep into his facial muscles and eye sockets after tossing his hat down. Days without sleep can be Hell on the mind and eyes.

“What’re we looking at here Sheriff?” Agent Price sets her coffee down as her partner reclines to study the facts.

Barnes opens his eyes, “Two days ago Mr. Sullinger calls in says Katie is missing, never came home after school. We go back to the surveillance cameras from the high school and notice two suspects in all black, take Katie in a black Land Rover.” Barnes takes a sip from his coffee, “We’ve run the plates, run the descriptions, but no matches yet. Right now… we’ve got no leads, no suspects, and no motives. We’re fucked square in the ass and that little girl’s countin’ on us to find her.”

Price leans back to soak it in as he partner runs a hand through his hair. Redwater sits upright and locks eyes with Barnes.

“Last seen?” he asks.

Barnes knows the routine, “Fairbanks Academy.”

“Address?” Redwater pulls out his notepad.

“Twelve twenty-one Pine Street,” Barnes recalls. “Seedy little neighborhood, wouldn’t be surprised if this ain;t some sort of ransom trick.”

Price shakes her head, “We would have gotten the demands by now. At this point, two days after the abduction, we’ve got twenty-four hours to find Katie Sullinger before her father never sees her again.”

Redwater stands up immediately and shoves his notepad into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “Let’s get to work then.”

Price joins her partner as they stands before Sheriff Barnes. The old defeated-looking Sheriff of thirty-some years nods hopefully and watches them as they go. He remembers ones thing.

“Before you go,” Barnes scribbles down something on a post it and hands a few small things over. “We got a tip that this fella might have some info. He’s usually around Wade’s Pub. Here’s a picture. He ain’t no teddy bear, neither. Damn near took one of my deputies’ heads clean off last month.”

Price shares a concerned look with Redwater as they shuffle out the door. Barnes spins around and lets his mind search for Katie through the wintry wilderness from his office as he closes his eyes.

II.

“Don’t touch me again,” Mike says loud and clear. “Did you hear me that time?”

Walton Reed looks back at his posse of four and then begins to cackle like a witch. “Did y’hear that boys!? We got us another one’a them cowboys! A hero! Somebody who gonna find out that ol’ Walton Reed and ‘is Posse ain’t never gon’ be told what t’do!”

Reed throws his fist out and smashes the register off the counter and into the wall. He snarls through a crazy glare at Mike once again. The burly man remains on his barstool with the cooler head.

“I don’t aim to cause trouble mister,” Mike says before taking a strong gulp from his beer. “I’m just here to enjoy a bee-“

“MISTER REED!” Walton smacks the back of Big Bear’s head. “you call me MISTER REED, you got that caveman?”

Mike’s eyes lift off his beer for the first time and the first pair he meets are the cute little bartender’s green eyes. Sad and full of worry, she watches on as Walton and his gang get rough with yet another stranger. If anybody still believes in the Wild West its Walton Reed… and Mike Munson.

“Don’t touch me,” Mike stands off his stool and leans into Walton’s face. “If ya do it again… I’ll make sure you do anymore touchin’ for your remainder, comprende muchacho?”

Reed leans back, “Is that a threat?”

“I don’t make threats,” Mike reassures Reed with a sarcastic smile.

Mike turns to sit back down and nestles up next to his beer yet again. Reed sneers back to his group and slaps Mike yet again. This time, he winds back up and repeats it two more times before letting up. Mike looks at the bartender again before emptying the mug down his throat.

“Sorry Sue,” Mike shrugs before turning around and clobbering two of Reed’s men with a double clothesline. “I just can’t resist a good CHUMP BUSTIN’!”

Mike kicks one man twice in the gut and the other catches two right-handed haymakers before Mike slams his forearm directly into each man’s forehead and knocks them into the wall. He storms at Reed in rage and grabs him by the waist and throws him over the bar and into the kitchen. Mike dives over right after and as both roll through the double doors, the crashing of metal pots and pans come from the back.

The pub door swings open and two people wearing formal attire step up to the bar and lock eyes with Sue.

“You the bartender?” Agent Redwater flashes his badge.

“Yep,” the young redhead chomps on her gum with might and nods. She takes a few investigative looks at the agents before throwing her towel on her shoulder. “What can I do for ya?”

Agent Price leans in and holds up a picture, “We’re looking for this man, Michael Munson. He might go by-“

As if on cue, the double doors burst open and Mike comes barging out with Reed over his head. He releases the smaller body into the air and it flies over the bar, over the stools, and flat against the wall. Walton’s body drops to the ground as the FBI agents take a step back.

“Big Bear,” Sue looks up. “That’s him.”

III.

“So let me get this straight,” Mike licks the chicken wing sauce from his fingers. “There’s a missing girl out there somewhere… and we’re sittin’ here eatin’ chicken wings?”

Agent Price’s frustration shows with a huff of hot air, “We were told you might have some information on the suspect.”

“Who the Hell told ya that?” Mike shrugs.

Redwater doesn’t laugh, “Sheriff Barnes.”

Mike’s eye lower and he shake his head in understanding, “The Sheriff sent you? Then this must be serious. We don’t have much time. That little lady needs our help… and she needs it now! Saddle up, Sallies.”

“Where is it that we’re going?” Redwater asks as Mike jumps out of the booth. “You aren’t-“

“Cut the chit chat, chump,” Mike returns to his initial thought a few moments ago. “We’re wasting time here, time you don't have if you want to beat nightfall. I’ve got some ideas where to look... we'll need a bird though.”

Price looks to Redwater, "Bird?"

"A helicopter," Redwater turns back toward Munson.

In that moment, both realize that Munson is gone. The door slams, evidence that he's already on the job and heading for the tundra. Price flips open her phone and dials before holding it to her ear.

“Agent Price, FBI,” she looks ahead, scanning over the vast frontier. “Get me a chopper.”
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