Fear
Peter stared at Jacob dead in the eyes. He truly seemed afraid. The fear on his friend’s face was uncharacteristic. Jacob really didn’t want to approach the bear.
And he strongly suggested that Peter call for back up. Peter thought for a moment and said no. Nobody was going to come to help them. He had already been mocked and dismissed by his coworkers. Everyone had failed him before, so he had no reason to put his faith in them again.