as cole inches toward Spirit Bear, he stops, looks around, and he becomes aware that nobody is watching he could easily back away. what compels him to keep approaching Spirit Bear?

Cole's challenge of the spirit bear is part of his long journey to healing. Cole feels compelled to the Spirit Bear because his destiny includes the bear kicking his butt. The aggression of the Spirit Bear is also Cole's aggression; the bear is ultimately both his destruction and his resurrection.