Track of the Beast: A Brock Stone Adventure

Stone could see well in the dark, but he’d overlook it. As predicted, he had a difficult time forcing his muscular body through the opening, but he managed to squeeze through until the going became a bit easier. He was still forced to turn sideways, but at least he could breathe. The passage made a sharp bend, and up ahead he could see a sliver of light.

“Another squeeze, I’m afraid.” Marian slipped through, blotting out the light for a moment, and then Stone followed.

He found himself standing on a ledge overlooking a tiny box canyon. Trees ringed the rim, obscuring the view from above and casting long shadows on the forest below. One could fly right over it and probably not take notice. A few feet below where they stood, a natural spring poured a gentle stream of clear water down to the canyon below.

“Is this Ape Canyon?” he asked.

Marian made a noncommittal gesture. “It connects to the canyon where my father was attacked by a narrow passageway. It’s one of the few ways in and out.”

“So, what is special about this place?”

“They live down there.”

Stone did a double-take. “The Bigfoot?”

“A small troop of them. They’re only around in warm weather. We think they migrate south in the winter, probably all the way down to California.”

Stone blinked a few times, taking in what Marian was saying. “Do they interact with you?”

“Not directly, but every once in a while one will let itself be seen. They also vocalize when we leave food for them. Saying thank you, I guess.”

“What do they eat?”

“Judging by their scats, they’re omnivores just like us. We give them vitamin-rich fruits, leafy greens, things that will help balance their diet.”

Stone blinked a few times, taking in what Marian was saying. Bigfoot was real!

Stone nodded. In the early days of seafaring, sailors had suffered from scurvy and other health problems due to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals their limited diet did not provide. Even soldiers in the field had similar complaints. Ship captains and military officers had taken to providing citrus fruits and cider to balance out the diets of those in their charge.

Stone scanned the valley below, his sharp eyes picking out minute details within the mass of green. A bird perched on a limb, a squirrel scrambled up a tree trunk. But no sign of a giant furry beast.

“Why is your father doing this? He was nearly killed by these things.”

“He believes the Bigfoot could have killed the miners if they wanted to, but instead they gave the men one last chance to escape.”

“Even though a miner shot one of their own,” Stone added.

“Exactly. He thinks they are worth caring for.”

“So, your father is their… protector?”

“I think that’s what he considers himself, although they probably don’t need his help. They can look out for themselves just fine.” Marian’s flinty gaze softened as she stared down into the valley. “He’s worried that the logging industry will grow to the point that the creatures are driven away as their habitat shrinks.”

Stone considered this. It probably would happen, eventually, considering how many Americans were moving west in search of new opportunities, but this land was so vast and untouched that it would take centuries for that to happen. And then he remembered something that Davis, the logging foreman, had said.

“Has your father been messing with things at the logging site?”

Marian hesitated, then nodded. “I’m certain he has, though he’s never admitted it. He once told me that someone ought to spike every tree in the Pacific Northwest just to make it more difficult for the loggers.” She sighed. “I know that makes him sound like a bad man, but his intentions are good. He only wants to look out for the creatures.”

“Was it he who left fake Bigfoot tracks near the mining camp?”

“Not a chance. He wouldn’t want to leave any evidence that these creatures are real, much less that they live around here.”

“Are they down there right now?” Stone asked, his eyes still searching, probing.

“You never know. They range widely and can move like shadows in the forest.”

“And you don’t believe the stories of these creatures kidnapping women?” Stone asked sharply, trying to catch her off guard.

“No. All they want is to be left alone. They always keep their distance from humans unless they feel they are in danger. I’ve been close to them a few times and none of them have ever made a move toward me.”

Stone nodded. He hadn’t considered it likely that these Bigfoot creatures had taken Trinity. But why was she looking for them at all?

“And you aren’t pulling my leg?” he asked.

“Of course I’m not lying. What did you think you would find out here if not Bigfoot?”

“I was looking for Trinity, not Bigfoot. If you have any idea what happened to her, please tell me.”

Marian lowered her head. “I don’t know what happened to her, and that’s the God’s honest truth.”