“THE DEN”

Tarkio hollered from outside. “I think I see something out there – in the meadow.”

Secora and Gideon hustled over. The boy, one of Secora’s grad students, was shading his eyes with his hand. Following his gaze, they noticed a sow bear with cubs was gnawing on a cow carcass.

Tarkio asked, “Maybe that’s what has been bothering Bill’s family’s livestock?” Secora was hesitant. “Could be, I suppose. But we have to remember Bill is one of my paleontology students. Hopefully, he would know if they were seeing a bear with cubs.” 

Suddenly, a large dark blur raced from the woods into the field and swatted the sow’s head, flipping her entire body and efficiently breaking her neck. She lay still where she fell. Gideon drew up the rifle and prepared to shoot.

Secora grabbed his arm, distracting him. “What if there are two of those things? We need to get away from here right now. My path has crossed with dangerous beasts before. The outcome of such interactions is murky. Not everyone who meets these creatures makes it out alive.
Survival – that’s a bonus.”

Secora woke early the next morning at the farm where her student Bill and his family had been harassed by a deadly beast. She heard her grad student and office mate, Tarkio, creep over awake, and excited. She rose and they exited the house to sit on the patio quietly listening to a late cricket and a few frogs while Secora combed her hair.

“In a parental sense, I’m very much against you staying here without us while we look for that carcass over at Sam’s place today. “Secora, I am old enough to make my own decisions, and besides, I will be with two well-armed game wardens.”

Gideon joined his wife and Tarkio, rubbing both eyes with his knuckles. “Secora, you should give him your sat phone. Tarkio, my number is programmed into it. Call me if there’s the slightest problem.” He sat on the step and stretched. “We’ll be looking for the carcass of the beast that was shot on the neighbor’s property.” He yawned and blinked, waiting for Tarkio to nod.

Soon they noticed Bill’s mother, Elena, at the door, inviting them in for scrambled eggs and sausage, home fries, and biscuits. They followed her in as the delightful aromas lured them to the dining room. They dug into a wonderful breakfast that, for a moment, allayed Secora’s concerns that this was likely to be an ominous day.

When the dishes were dried and put away, Secora wandered through the dining and living rooms, fascinated by lovely photos that had been blown up and hung as wall art. There was a series of deciduous tree panels showing close-ups of leaves in the full range of fall colors, which any child would wish to capture in her hand as she walked down an autumn street. The collage of purple, maroon, several shades of reds and orange, green, gold, and yellow hues made her smile.

Next, she noticed some evening horizon shots of black rocks against a layered blue-purple sky, featuring stars and a meteor. In the hall, on the way to the restroom, she stopped at a black and white photo that captured a team of Belgian horses plowing a field, and inside the bathroom, she found a dramatic photo of white bear grass plumes shooting up from a super-steep green slope, surrounded by clouded mountains that took her breath away. She asked Bill, “Are these your handiwork?” “Yes,” he answered shyly.

They heard a knock at the door, and Elena ushered the game wardens inside. Introductions were brief, as the wardens shook hands with the family. Gideon and Secora hugged Tarkio, who by then felt like he was part of their family. The senior warden, James, smirked, and said, “Don’t worry ma’am, we handle wolves and bears for breakfast.” “I’m not worried about them. I’m afraid this is something far more dangerous.”
“Like Bigfoot.” They both laughed. “More like a tiger.
It may hunt you. Just be careful.”

Both James and Frank, the other warden, chuckled again. Perhaps there was a slight edge to the laughter this time. Tarkio said goodbye and followed them out the door, promising he’d give them a blow-by-blow account of the excursion. Secora sighed from her heart but smiled weakly. It was time to let the crew move out. When they left, Secora hollered after Bill, “You have bear spray on you, right?” “Yes, mom. Two cans.”

Gideon added, “Okay, use the Satfon to keep in touch, Tarkio. Secora and I will be only a few miles away.” A few yards down the lane, Gideon turned their vehicle around and then stopped. “Was there something, just there… at the edge of the woods?” Secora rolled her eyes. “Oh, I imagine there was.” He sighed. “I hate to leave. Didn’t you say that thing probably wouldn’t be back? I don’t feel so sure about it now.”

While the Fish and Game vehicle was heading across the meadow toward the forest fence line Secora said, “I understand. But being with them probably won’t change the outcome. This way, we can be available to help if we’re needed.” As they left, they noticed that Bill and his family were already in their pickup, crawling down the two-track road toward town.

* * * * *

When Tarkio and the wardens climbed over the old wooden fence everything seemed normal enough. Birds were singing and Tarkio noticed a purple butterfly flapping erratically past their faces. The wardens walked ahead at a good pace, occasionally bending over to look at imprints in the pine needles. Frank commented, “Looks like a grizzly paw print.” If it weren’t for the remnants of the cow carcass that had been dragged out of the meadow and over or through the rail fence, they would have found very little else.

At one point, Tarkio collected a sample of two-inch dark fur caught in tree bark. He wondered about where this thing had been taking the carcass. Did it have a den? Could it be a female with cubs? What kind of den would such a creature have? Den choices in the open pine forest were, of course, limited. He thought about coyotes, then bears. They go underground, but that doesn’t mean this girl would. Pumas and other big cats might den up in the rocks.

The men he was with had almost twenty years on him. They were puffing and took a break in a thick patch of conifers. The surrounding air turned chilly. Tarkio thought it strange that he could see his breath as he sat on a rock. He pushed his hands into his pockets and pressed his elbows toward his ribs to conserve heat. That wasn’t enough, so he pulled his coat tightly around him.

The part of the forest they were passing through had become so thick and dark, that the penetration of sunlight was limited.  Finally, he said, “Guys, I’m feeling eerie, and cold all of a sudden.” James agreed, “Yeah, me too. Frank, maybe we should call it a day.” Frank smiled. “I have a 30.06 that says you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.”

Tarkio continued, “Listen, this beast could easily be a female with cubs. Why else would she be dragging that cow around?” “We don’t want to be around a hungry sow with cubs, do we Frank?” “Okay, James. What say we take the rest of the day to explore closer to the ranch area?” James slowly rose up, unholstering his pistol. Relieved, he whispered, “Yeah that sounds sensible.”

At that moment Tarkio felt an utter dread. Had he seen eyes flashing between twigs? James whispered in a harsh whisper, “Frank, get up and walk behind us with your rifle ready. We are going to need eyes in the backs of our heads.” “What are you talking about?” James whispered, “We’re being hunted.”

“Why are you whispering – talking is better with bears.” They moved out towards what they felt would be the direction of the vehicle and the ranch. An unfamiliar snarl snagged their immediate attention. Tarkio popped the cap on the bear spray. Then he remembered the GPS on Secora’s Satfon.

As a precaution he dialed Gideon. “We’re in a pickle here and heading back toward the vehicle at the ranch.” “Keep sharp.” “I have the bear mace.”“Maybe you should spray a little of it around you and on your pant legs and boots. Hold your breath.” “Good idea. If it doesn’t like the smell, maybe it will back off long enough for us to make it.” “Hope so.”

Tarkio could hear Gideon tell Secora to grab her coat and head for the car. He heard her answer that she was dialing 911 on her cell. The young man sprayed the pant legs and boots of his companions. When he finished and could speak, he said, “Okay, I think we are safe to breathe.” Frank’s bravado had fled and he was noticeably shaken as they went forward. “I’ve listened to YouTube Bigfoot stories for years. This feeling of being watched, and everything going too quiet could apply to this thing as well.

Even the air is still – breathless.”

Another snarl came from their right. It was all Tarkio could do, to keep from running full out like a crazy man. Frank asked, “Don’t they have stories of wolf men or some other large wolf creature that can stand on its hind legs and be seven to twelve feet tall?” James said, “You don’t think this thing can be that big.” “I don’t want to, but the lady was right.

How many animals can drag off a cow carcass rather than eat it where it falls?” “Frank, get a grip. This is the last time we’ll take a civilian into the field.” “Okay James, maybe so. But would you still be out here if you were alone?”
James’s breathing became a little ragged as he began to jog. “Hell no!”
Tarkio was nervous. “Now, there’s something off to our left, too!”
“Whoa, what is that stink?” “James, I think I shit my pants.”
“Me too.”

The snarl changed to a guttural growl down to their right. Then a deep roar with a subsonic tone erupted from the hillside to their left. Tarkio’s head whiplashed from one side to the other. Gideon said to Tarkio, “I’ve noted your location. You are only two and a half miles in a direct line from the ranch. We’ll be there soon.” “That’s good.” He relayed the information to the others. Then suddenly Tarkio was hit from behind. As he fell, he heard both the pistol and the rifle fire.

****

Tarkio felt groggy. His sleep had been disturbed. Now he felt like he was being dragged off his bed, and there were the muffled noises. No, they must be voices around him. He didn’t want to open his eyes. He was afraid to open them. Instead, he called, “Frank?” Then after a pause, “James?” There might have been a groan.

Tarkio was still lying on his back, and couldn’t open his eyes. Without warning he was picked up and carried off – not by puncturing jaws he was relieved to discover, but like a potato sack. The air reeked. He was uncomfortable bouncing along. Darkness overtook his agitation.

****

“Hurry, they’re under attack,” Gideon yelled as he joined Secora in the vehicle. Secora hit the gas. Sam’s ranch was ten minutes from the meadow. “I hope the sheriff is closer and arrives before we get there.” As if by magic they heard a siren crescendo. Secora saw the lights and pulled over for the cruiser to pass. Gideon told her that he’d heard a roar on the phone and a scream for “Help.”

Then three shots were fired before the Satfon went quiet.

Moments later, the university van pulled up to the forest fence but Secora and Gideon couldn’t see any people – just the vehicles, the cruiser with its lights still on and doors left wide open. Secora sniffed the air. “I smell a faint pungent odor.”
“Me too.” Gideon passed through the gate, his rifle at the ready. There were no other sounds. “Everything is too quiet.” They followed the path of bent grasses when they could. Occasionally, there was a partial heel indent.

Gideon stopped to look at the sat phone’s GPS. “We seem to be heading in the right direction. We’re about a mile out from where the phone landed, and I last heard Tarkio with the game wardens.” There was no mistaking the warning they heard off to their left. “Almost sounds like a bear,” noted Secora, as she whirled to face that direction. Gideon stopped with her. Then they crept toward the noise, all their senses alert.

“Honey, I’m seeing drops of wet blood on the grass. I’m going to collect a sample for DNA testing.” She took off her backpack and put on a pair of gloves to swab a sample, while Gideon hollered, “Tarkio. Tarkio, where are you.” There was no response for a second, and then they heard a call from the direction of the game wardens’ path. Gideon jogged toward the noise while Secora noted where and when she had collected the sample and followed after him.

Suddenly, someone was shouting from behind her. She turned again and squinted back toward the fence. It was Bill, running full out toward her and yelling, “I heard the sirens and knew there was trouble. I took the pickup and came back as quickly as I could.” Puffing anxiously, he demanded, “What… what happened?” He puffed again. “Is anyone hurt?” “Gideon is up ahead. Let’s catch up and see. Be aware, Bill, I think there’s a large animal off to our left. It growled a warning for us to stay away.”

“G-r-e-a-t, no problem. I don’t have a weapon.” “Me neither.” Secora smelled the dry pine needles as they crunched their way through the brush. It was about three minutes before they could see Gideon through the shrubs. He was standing near a clump of trees with the deputies. Secora couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she took a careful 360-degree look around before approaching them. Bill looked terrified. “What’s that horrible smell?”

Secora shook her head but said nothing. The deputies looked them over and asked them to identify themselves. They showed their IDs and Gideon vouched for both of them while handing Secora her Satfon. Secora bent down to examine the evidence. Bill pinched his nose and said, “That’s a crazy amount of excrement.”

One deputy asked, “How many men did you say were here?” Gideon replied, “Three. Two game wardens and a paleontologist from the university.” “And at least one Bigfoot.” Secora looked up when no one made a comment. “I think the excrement was a weapon to deter the animal which originally attacked the men.” “Okay, ma’am, do you understand how ridiculous that sounds?” “I do. You got something better?” Bill said, “That would explain some of this… but where are the guys?”

“We’ve called dispatch for a search team and dogs. Until then, they are officially missing. There have already been several disappearances in this county and across into Canada this spring.” The other deputy said, “That’s none of their business.” Secora took a step toward him. “Well, it kinda is. The university expects Tarkio to teach classes on Monday, and I’ll need to call his wife and son. Surely the game wardens also have families.”

Bill advised, “I think Secora and Gideon should go on ahead while we wait for the search team.” Gideon sensed a hesitation with the deputies, so he pushed a bit further. “It would be like having a tracker go in before the search teams.” “We can’t let you do that. You could ruin the trace evidence.” Three knocks rang out as if someone was sending a signal by whacking a tree with a chunk of wood.

Secora said, “One or more of them might be alive. In that direction. We could check it out without messing up the evidence. You can direct the search from here.” Bill said, “By the way, your dogs might want to check out the blood drops on the grass about a mile back and to the south.” A deputy said, “That’s probably from the cow carcass.” Secora asked, “Do dead cows snarl? I heard a warning growl off to my left at that position, and the blood was wet.”

The deputies made faces registering disgust and possibly a little fear. One said to Gideon, “Hey, use your Satfon and keep us updated.” Then the two of them headed back toward the farm. Secora asked Bill to photograph the attack site, while she and Gideon took samples of excrement and blood, marking their positions at the scene. She pointed out deep claw marks on a nearby tree to Bill, who photographed them, while Secora took a swab from the fresh scratches.       

They headed uphill toward the west-northwest, toward the knocks. The trail was fairly easy to follow as there were occasional deep impressions of a large human foot, along with bent-down grass and other signs. It became clear there was more than one creature passing through. Gideon sniffed the lingering pungent odors in the air. Secora wasn’t the only one who noticed. They stopped to listen. Things were perfectly silent until Bill snapped a photo of a rare Indian Pipe orchid. She smiled and said, “Send me a copy of that, will you?”

Another set of three knocks came from several miles away. However, they continued to follow the tracks and the scent. When they arrived at the base of a hill to the north, Secora thought she could smell blood. “Wait. Just a moment.” She closed her eyes and tried to use telepathy to let everyone know these three humans meant no harm. Please let us help our friends and any who live. There was a single knock above their position.

They arrived at the biggest tree in the area and found two bodies surrounded by a circle of urine and feces. Gideon explained,” To ward off dangerous intruders,” He bent down and checked for signs of life. One warden and Tarkio were alive but unconscious. “No sign of the third man. I should call the deputies to bring medics.

Secora, why don’t you two leave offerings and a prayer up a hundred yards or so.” She took a PB&J and a baggie of dried apricots out of her backpack and gave them to Bill. Gideon handed over a sandwich and raisins from his lunch, and they left. The Lakota dialed the number they had been given, then spoke with the deputies, He heard Secora and Tarkio climbing over rocks and fallen trees above, with their gifts and their gratitude.

It took the rescue crew a half-hour to arrive. By then the warden, James, had regained consciousness on site. He had nothing to say about what happened. Gideon and Secora found out later that Tarkio roused on the way to the hospital. The search dog found the third man partially devoured.
Frank lay with his head knocked away from his body in the area where Secora had heard the growl.

Nothing further was noted about the attack or any of the unseen creatures in the official record. . .

*******

If you enjoyed reading this short story from my novel “Like Feathers of a Wing”
in the ‘Rising Wind’ series, all my novels are available now from
Amazon in Kindles and Paperback formats to read the full stories…

Like Feathers of a Wing: Fourth Book in the Rising Wind Series: Deep Informative and Pertinent
by Diane Olsen (Author)