I decided to go for a walk alone rather than taking the dogs. My neighbor has three rottweilers and I have a good-natured mutt, Kama. I generally take mine for a walk every day and often his too, thus used to this they all behave well. The problem is, when you take that many dogs for a walk you rarely get to see wildlife - save snakes, toads, and a few chipmunks that squeak and run -- which merely teases the dogs. I also have to be alert making sure they behave. When I take mine alone I don't have to watch her as she will stay close and not wander; but I really just wanted the freedom of no responsibility in which I could sit for hours if I chose -- merely to think and not feel guilty as doleful eyes watched hoping I'd throw a ball. Tomorrow, I thought, tomorrow I would take the dogs.

And that was my mistake.

I'd walked for hours then walked by a group of people close to a lean-to that were setting up for a cookout. Some of them smiled, the smallest of the children waved. I reflected on the amiable innocence of youth in which fear had yet to be instilled. I had no doubt in my mind that if I were to walk over to one of these children I'd be invited to partake of their barbecue; and most likely the adults would feel an obligation thereafter to agree with the child. I smiled and passed on.

At this point I was on my way home. I had come up with ideas on my eyre thus could not wait to get once more behind a computer. Down a trail I discovered a new path I'd not seen before. I had frequently walked in this area so was aware of changes. Someone must have brought a bush-cutter up here to cut down the long grasses and saplings. From the looks of it I guessed they would have done that a couple days previous. Judging by its proximity to my residence I thought I could traverse the field up farther and save time on this new course.

It must have been about 30 minutes since I saw the people and it did not look as though anyone lived around here, although this path opened up new aspects of the countryside to me so who knows what the next turn should display. There were no warning signs informing an intruder to stay off the property so I continued.

Then I saw some fencing and a big old barn suffering greatly from the elements of time. It seemed strangely out of place. Yet there was old rusty barbed wire everywhere throughout the woods in New England. I knew barbed wire had not been invented until 1874 thus someone had attempted to harness the countryside at one time in the not too distance past. I also knew we had quite a bit of sheep yesteryear, so it was safe to assume the fencing was once for them. Possibly this barn was too. I peeked in one of the few window frames on the bottom floor – if you could call it a floor for it had muchly decayed back into earth at this point. There were no windowpanes but shards remained. Most likely vandals had long ago destroyed much of this property. Generally where there was a barn there would also be a house, most likely in the same run down condition, but intriguing nonetheless. I was anxious in anticipation of what lie ahead. The barn seemed languished and somewhat dangerous in its state. I wondered if a strong breeze or snowstorm would blow it over. Some of the floorboards from above were caving in. I decided not to explore further for the time being, since it seemed there was nothing of value or even interest within. Instead I continued to search for a house or foundation at least. Often one could find once cultivated flowers growing where someone lived long ago -- and sometimes an old variety rarely seen hereabouts. Many times I dug such up to take back to my house; a house my parents had left to me when they died last year.

I saw strange footprints in the mud but could not ascertain how old they were. They sunk in much more than my own so I guessed it was a creature heavier than myself. This land was full of creatures larger than myself and I saw moose prints all the time that left as deep an impression – this however was no moose. It was not hoofed but not padded that divided like a dog or bear print either. It appeared elongated almost human but clawed -- like a giant raccoon or snapping turtle. Meandering, my mind conjured pictures of an old movie of giant ants, then I thought of the tales of Big Foot but this was not a huge foot merely a weird foot. I had no idea what grizzly prints looked like but grizzly did not live in this part of the country. I thought I'd come back with plaster-of-Paris to create a mold tomorrow and with that in hand I could ask someone what the creature was.

At the next ell I walked around to see not a house but a large animal, sleeping. I quietly backed up. Too late, he smelled me! His nose was still in the air. I continued backing up pondering how to escape should it become a necessity. Most animals when they confront humans will run.

Damn! He came at me. He was running fast. I knew I was dead; it would be like being rammed by a car. I dodged too soon and it gave him time to adjust his trajectory. He continued, merely brushing me as he passed. Perhaps he was sizing me up by banging me. He could have killed me if he wanted. It did not take much force to move me, as I was still reeling from the blow to my arm. He was powerful.

He got about fifty feet away and turned to come at me again, like a bull. There were few window frames on this side of the building. I ran to the only protection I could reach quickly; it was a door on the second floor. Up the rickety wall and what was left of stairs I scrambled, holding onto the loose boards and holes in the wall. I opened the door and flung myself in. There was a small board I could turn to lock the door but I figured this creature could climb so if he wanted me it was only a matter of time.

He looked like a cross between a bear and a gorilla yet he ran like a gazelle. I had no idea if his walk was the same but his run was with two feet together and it was fast. I had to get out of here! Whatever it was it was not something I had ever heard or read about. I knew I could not tell just anyone, for hunters would surely shoot it. Perhaps it was a missing link or a new species. I was not equipped to deal with it, that much was certain. I would have to call an anthropologist - or better yet a cryptozoologist, but let’s face it there couldn’t be more than 3 of those in the United States.

Quickly I looked around and tried to find a way to the other side of the building without killing myself; maybe I could drop down the other side and escape. Then I heard him pulling on the door. Shit! If I led it over decrepit boards I might escape due to the fact that I weighed less, while it might fall under its own mass. However, I did not want to kill it so it would be best I just find a way to extricate myself from my predicament.

Now I was in peril from both the creature and the barn. The word dilapidated was a gross understatement but my mind could search for no better description of it at that moment. I was hugging the floor and creeping across. My mind was concentrating on eluding the creature before he broke down the door. I knew I could not outrun it and also knew it was not friendly. I saw claws through the door and knew it was but a matter of seconds before I was pursued.

There, before me, a polylemma – three choices: I saw a closet of sorts as rickety as the door I had entered; the window was within reach but I was on the second floor and it was a bit of a drop, I could break a leg; and there was an old rope hanging from the rafters above down to the first floor through a large hole in this section of the barn, most likely it was how they dropped hay many years ago. Possibly the rope was not even capable of sustaining my weight for long, for it was frayed in parts. I chose the rope. Leaning, I almost reached it but not quite. I grabbed a board and pulled the rope to me just as he came in the door. I put the board in the back of my pants because I thought I might have to use it as a weapon and at the moment needed both my hands. Quickly, figuring he could outrun me if I went down I climbed up as we were taught in gym class -- with my leg wrapped around the rope then onto my other leg. Hand over hand I pulled up and then holding the rafter itself I pulled the rope up behind me. All the time I was thinking of my gym instructor that used to insist, laughingly, that one day I would need to use the information she'd taught me. I did not think I was dexterous enough nor strong enough to pull myself onto the rafter but thought at this point it was my safest option since it sustained my weight thus far. I put my board up on the rafter for safekeeping. Then I thought of childhood monkey-bars and flipped my leg up on the rafter laboriously while holding the rope. I held my leg in place with the other leg wrapped under the beam so I connected ankles, but I could not hold in this position long and was unable to get up. It was a lot easier in youth. Next, hanging by my feet, I made a loop in the rope and then put my legs back down. This would act as a stair and I could lift myself onto the rafter. The beam itself was thick, maybe six or eight inches. Finally up, I let out a sigh of relief.

While I rested I had the chance to watch him more closely. The only way he could reach me was to climb the wall and get on the rafter. I doubted he could jump high for he was too heavy, I thought at least 300 lbs. but I knew I was a terrible guesser of weight, he could have been 1,000 lbs for all I knew. I remember my grandmother beaming when I commented that though she thought she was fat I thought she couldn’t weigh more than 130 pounds; it seemed she weighed 160 at the time.

The creature was dark but not black, sort of dark brown with silver streaks, and he gleamed some in the sunlight. His nose was sort of pushed in close to his face and when on level ground I could see his nostrils; his face looked more gorilla than bear.

Now he was sniffing the air once more, watching me. Judging by his actions I'd say he could reason. And regardless what 'experts' said I knew dogs that could reason; I knew stupid dogs too, those were the ones people most liked, the myrmidon ones. This animal seemed quite deadly. His hind quarters was smaller than his front which is why I thought he looked like a gorilla but he definitely did not have an opposing thumb and he had webbing in between fingers – well, they were not really fingers. His eyes were in front not sides leading me to believe he was primarily a carnivore not herbivore. I wondered if he could swim. If so this was a formidable creature. How could one escape something that could reason and was more adept than you?

Then I thought of my backpack still on my back. I had matches. I wondered if I carried a torch how far this thing was willing to follow me in the case he was burned some and learned what fire was? And if I made it home would he break in the door? Would I shoot something I thought should be studied if I felt self-preservation was a stronger force? And could I even bring something this big down? I wished I had a gun with me so I could have the chance to find out the answers to those questions.

I pondered while watching him. Suddenly he fell through the floorboards with a crash. There, on the ground of the first floor he lay. Should I run? Was this a ruse to get me to run so he could eat me? As he lay there I took off my shirt then ripped the bottom off. Wrapping part of it tightly around the board I made a torch then I put the rest of my shirt in my pack for later. Taking my small first-aid kit I took the little bottle of alcohol and squirt it on the material. I thought I could torch the barn and help would arrive but where could I hide? With those claws I am sure he could climb a tree, and if I went on a tree that would only sustain my weight he'd most likely bend it or break it then I'd be on the ground.

I watched for fifteen minutes. He lay still but I could see him breathing. Then I thought I heard a moan, a low rhythmic sound deep within. Yes, he was definitely moaning, but was he hurt and if he was hurt should I take this opportunity to escape?

I untied my foothold knot in the rope and lowered it to touch him. I knew I could not let him get hold of it because with no opposing thumb I thought he could not climb the rope but most likely he could destroy it thereby making me a real captive – and further there was the possibly that one tug would bring down the whole barn.

Slowly I swiped the rope back and forth in a tickling motion. He did not grab for it or move. I lowered it more so the rope itself, not merely the frayed ends, would touch him. No movement -- just that continuous low moan. Pulling the rope back up I slipped cautiously along the beam to the window. I could see pretty well so looked for a house anywhere – or any sort of protection for that matter. No, there was nothing as far as I could see merely forest-clothed earth and a bit of pastureland.

I inched backwards, slowly, once more to the middle section. Ouch! I got a splinter. Damn. Wood splinters hurt. I pulled it out. Back again to the middle I thought: If he were hurt I could not leave him unless I could assess the damage. I envisioned a huge chunk of wood sticking out of him. I slipped the board/torch in my backpack and not wanting to lose it since it was about three feet long, I tied it with twine that I carried when I went into the woods.

Making a knot in the end of the rope – or as close to the end as I dared get being its condition - I slipped it around the beam. Then I put the other end through it. Next I made another loop on the loose end and put my foot through. Easing myself down by putting my foot in the loop I was once more on the rope. I again put my feet around the beam to hold on while I untied the foot-loop. Then back on the rope I slowly eased down pulling both sides with me; holding the end up with my foot on the knot it acted like a pulley. It was the only way I knew to enable me to let the rope free should I make it down and choose escape and go back up rapidly if I chose to stay here. I could leave both sides dangling but if I mistakenly failed to grab one or my hand slipped in haste I'd be dead. So my process was tedious but safer. Finally I was low enough to touch him. My muscles ached terribly.

I touched him and pulled back climbing up some in case I needed to go back on the rafter. He did not move but his moaning was louder than I thought when I was on the rafter (three stories up). I no longer thought he was feigning injury. I stroked him. He did not move. His fur was soft. I could imagine some damned hunter making a fur coat of him or maybe a rug. I lowered myself again and looked closely. I wished I dared hang upside down but with those claws it wouldn't take much for me to panic. Ever so gently I started to swing so I could get a look at him. The rope creaked. Oh God! Imagine falling on him.

Then I saw it. There was blood. He was injured! Now what do I do? A test of my rectitude was not what I had in mind when I started out this morning. No wonder I usually travel with rottweilers. All right, I decided, so I would let myself down behind him and still hold the rope hoping for the best.

In doing so I had to swing a bit and time my dismount just right. I did, but my feet touched his back as I did it. He did not move. Now, do I run, hit him over the head, or ascertain the damage? Still holding the rope I went slowly to his head. I could see his teeth; about an inch was showing of his incisors but I did not know what was behind the lips. He did not move. I was able to see more blood from this angle.

I walked back behind him and took off my backpack. Quivering, I took out my nylon twine and knife; then I put the pack back on lest I have to make a quick escape. I touched his foot. He did not move. Slowly I gently wrapped the twine back and forth on his ankles tying them together; as I did it I thought back to the game I played in youth of pick-up sticks – that barely perceptible touching. I knew this would not secure him since he used both feet at once and could most likely break the twine anyway, but it was all I had at the moment and a start in the right direction.

Now I pulled on his arm that was on top and tied it, too, to his legs. Then he was hobbled. I released my hold on my rope over the rafter, said a prayer, and pulled it forfeiting any chance I had of getting back on the beam. I now had the rope free in my hands. Quickly I wrapped it in the same manner over the twined appendages hobbling him more securely. Now unless he ripped it with his other claws I felt I had the luxury of time on my side. And I had a weapon in hand albeit a small one merely as big as one of his claws. I thought I was definitely going to put a bigger knife in my pack for future adventures – and maybe a gun and cell phone too.

Going around his back I felt his spine. It seemed okay. Back at his head I tried ever so gently to roll him over. There I saw his upper arm and shoulder bleeding. But I knew with an arm wound he could still get up so there must be more damage than that, and I doubted it was just getting the wind knocked out of him since he'd have gotten up by now. He must have broken his ribs and they must have punctured his lung. He'd need a vet.

I would have to get home call the anthropologist, vet, and Wildlife officials. They would have a dart gun and could coordinate rescue. If I tried to fashion a sled of sorts I doubted I could pull it given his weight, and he'd be dead by the time I got home anyway even if I was able to move him. And further if his ribs were moved they could do more damage. Well one thing was certain – I had to try to stymie the bleeding in his upper arm. I could not make a tourniquet and leave because it would cut off circulation.

'Okay,' I soliloquized, 'what next?' I took my shirt out of my pack once more and cut it up to my breast region. Then I ripped off the sleeves making strips with the part I cut off. After, I stripped off my tank top, which was fashioned of a stretchy nylon and lycra. Putting the shirt back on I was clothed, although scantly. Then I ripped off my pant legs till I was wearing shorts and ripped these too into strips; I thought from now on I was going to wear flowing skirts on forest treks – I'd have had more material. If he were smaller I would try to put the tank top on him to make the ribs more stationary but he was huge-chested. I squashed out the whole tube of antibacterial I had in my first-aid kit onto his wound. Then putting the stretchy fiber on his arm first I secured the shoulder/arm wound; later I wrapped it with the strips.

I noted while I did this that he was a she; at least I saw no visible genitalia that would lead me to believe otherwise. It also had breasts but male gorillas had such so that didn't mean much. This led me to wonder whether this creature was protecting a brood and if so it had to have a mate. Great! I might have to fight my way home. While I worked I wondered if it would be better to go the long way back near the picnickers. Hell, I might be able to get them to drive me home. No, I'd have to explain, and even if I said I was attacked by a human they might start their own posse.

I finished and gave the creature one last look touching different parts to ascertain if anything else was injured. Finally satisfied, I covered her with the grasses that had been cut by the mower days ago to keep her warm and hidden, and then I went outside again.

I took out my fancy new-aged compass - my GPS (Global Positioning System) to determine the shortest route home. It had to orient itself by being in a clearing to find the satellites and when there were clouds it took a bit of time, not long, but it seemed such to me in my terrified state. I wasn't sure if I was more frightened of the creature dying or of my run home at this point, but it was certain I feared another encounter. I was thankful it was not raining because the GPS was useless with thick cloud cover - although the advertisement said otherwise. Finally it homed in on my whereabouts and destination.

I ran. I ran so fast I think I flew part of the way.

*****

At home, not waiting to catch my breath I picked up the phone. As luck would have it the college anthropologist had just left school. I explained it was an emergency and lied telling the person who answered the phone that I was a relative of Dr. Camerade's – his niece. He put my call through to his cell phone. By now I was able to breathe enough so he could understand me. Rapidly explaining my lie and dilemma I told him briefly everything. He promised to reach the necessary persons via his cell phone and meet me at my house. He asked what I hoped to gain from this. I made him promise that no one would kill it and further if it died he would send out a party to look for young even if I was wrong about its being a rare creature, because I was concerned the young might starve. He agreed.

I filled my backpack with supplies and changed into different clothes.

They came out to the house. He had assembled more persons than I had dared hope for. I was a bit overwhelmed but assured this was necessary in case it, or they, was/were a new species or old missing species, for in the past such a creature would end up dead from mishandling or machismo behavior of humans.

We drove out the long way. The vehicles were quiet and only one came the whole way to the barn - an ATV with a cage behind it. We left the other vehicles by the lean-to at the end of the road. They did not wish to make undo noise but judging by my description they thought one for transport would be necessary. I walked with the rest of the people. The doctor and I did not speak; indeed, no one spoke. I could hear the quiet lull of the cage vehicle following us slowly and branches squeak and grasses flap as it brushed up against them but that was it. When we got close enough to see the barn the doctor signaled that everyone was to remain behind. The doctor, a woman with a tranquilizer gun, and myself were the only ones to edge forward at this point.

I climbed in the frame by which I'd escaped and saw the beast still there softly moaning. The doctors whispered to each other and watched me. Walking up to it I uncovered it and stroked its good arm. It sniffed the air and as though sensing I meant it no harm it allowed me this contact. I wondered if it was merely anthropomorphism for me to think it was reasoning because I had not hurt it before; perhaps she had grown accustom to my odor because of the bandages I'd made with my clothing and it was instinct not reason.

Doctor Sere, the veterinarian, went back to the window summoning others to come close she told them it was about 600 - 700 lbs. Four brawny men came in through the window then they passed a stretcher in, after which four more men came in. I showed them the door. They all stood off way to the side and said nothing. I thought this silence was a bit strange; I could understand if we were hunting for the baby should there be any, or a mate, but silence now seemed overkill. I started soliloquizing under my breath but the ejaculations were an unconscious effort to assure the beast I meant it no harm. Slowly my voice elevated so Dr. Camerade could hear. He said nothing but walked closer. I moved to the creature's back so the doctors could look her over. Gently I continued my massage.

The two Doctors came right in front of her and spoke to each other declaring that indeed this was an uncatalogued species. When one doctor bent close the beast lashed out to grab. They jumped back. It was certain the rope would not hold, and the creature required medical care. Doctor Sere decided she needed to be tranquilized quickly. She took out her gun. The beast thrashed. It was as if she was familiar with a tranquilizer gun. I warned her back then still at the beast's back I stroked again. It let me. I wondered if some sort of nexus had been set up between us. She calmed down.

"Sere, why don't you give me the needle and I will inject it – it is something I can put in the muscle, is it not? I think it would be best she not be upset." She walked around towards her back to hand it to me and the beast thrashed again. I stood up and walked to the front and took the needle. Then walking in front of the beast I touched her bad arm and tried to convey psychically that I was going to help. I spoke to it and gently eased the needle in while checking the bandages. It never moved. In a few minutes as it started to get mellow I stroked its face trying to convey that I would help find and care for its young for it was certainly clear she had young, her breasts were full of milk. I thought, however, at this point I was nuts to think I could communicate on an unconscious level with this creature. I guessed it had one or two babies since large creatures rarely gave birth to a large brood. I spoke all I learned aloud as I was talking to her because I wanted the doctors to know. Finally it closed its eyes and let out deep rhythmic sighs.

The men moved to the door and braced it with boards that had caved in and were just lying there. Then they tried to break it open without bringing the building down on us. The doctors stepped over to examine the creature. I asked if I could have those that would help me search for her young touch her so they would smell like her; then perhaps the other creature or creatures would not fear so much our approach. I was told they wanted to get her operated on as soon as possible so they would not have to give her another sedative. I understood. Doctor Sere said she would not operate here but in more sterile conditions. I got out of the way and let them do what they had to do.

Doctor Camerade introduced me to the person heading the search team. I told the doctor I would stay but wondered if we had a tranquillizer gun in case the male was found. Marion, the head of the search team, pointed to all their gear; they loaded up and Marion told me the plan. It appeared they did this systematically on a grid, and no one was alone but within sight of others at all times.

"Marion, I know your scientific methods are thorough and most likely best for most things. I am not needed here is that correct?"

"You may leave if you like."

"And may I have someone to protect me out of this place?"

"Yes, if you like."

"Fine, then I will search with this one other person not scientifically but psychically, I pray you humor me." Her smile, or was it a smirk, said it would be fruitless and as silly as a dowser looking for water in a section of desert but she thought this would make for good jokes so she acquiesced. She said she was concerned about me getting lost. I explained I had a GPS. She paired me with a large man called Bo -- probably because he was the only one who did not think I was off my rocker. I knew it was silly to think I could just 'feel' this thing but I had hopes it might at least smell the female on me. And I knew a line of her search-and-rescue team members would definitely be smelled by an adult creature, thus one or two persons alone had a better chance of finding them.

We set off ignoring the others. Walking about a mile we found a hole in the earth and heard a gentle whimper as though begging for food. I told Bo it was too small for her so it could not be her babies. He had not seen her so I explained that they guessed her to be 600-700 lbs. On his knee he listened near the hole but heard nothing. I continued to search for the whimper. The glen we were in had a tendency to deceive, for sounds seemed to come from everywhere at once. He signaled that he'd found the sound. I started to go towards him. Then, I heard the soft patter I knew well.

I screamed, "RUN!"

He did. The smell of skunk permeated the air! Thankfully it did not get him in a direct hit but he still smelled. The odor of skunk is strange; some people like it, others gag. Spending much time with dogs I was as used to it as one could get, I suppose, but hated the smell myself. I laughed and explained that skunks usually warned with a patter of their front feet that they are about to strike. Undoubtedly it was protecting its brood otherwise it would have walked off. He was not happy but took it well all things considered.

"Think we will find anything like this?"

"I think it is a good disguise." I smiled. "Come on, we better get you back so you can take a bath."

We walked a bit to a clearing knowing I needed a clear sky for the GPS. As it was getting its coordinates he asked, "Doesn't it feel funny here?"

"It does. I thought it was my imagination. Look." I showed him my arm -- the hair was standing on end and I had goose bumps.

Then he saw it and walked towards it telling me which way to look. He aimed his dart gun. It came at us as the other one had only faster! Bo shot and I could see the dart in the creature but he still came at us. I knew it took a while to work but saw no way to avoid the creature other than dodging or running to a tree. When it reached Bo he jumped at the last second and avoided getting hit. My timing was off again only this time I was too late and it rammed into my side sending me spinning and falling down. Great, I thought, now I had been bumped on both sides by these things and would be black and blue tomorrow. Standing up I knew I had broken my humerus. Bo released his other gun, the one with real bullets. The creature turned to come at us again. Then he stopped and smelled the air. I thought he smelled his mate on me through the terrible skunk odor. Bo and I were about 20 feet apart. It came back slowly. This time its walk was more ursine. Bo held off shooting. It made a big circle around me standing always about 8 or 9 feet away then got drowsy and fell. I took my pack off to get a rope. Bo shot off a flare to signal for help. Then he walked over and helped me tie the creature.

He looked at the way I held my arm and knew it was broken. He told me I would have to go with the party that came to get the creature. I told him I needed to find the baby. While waiting for the others he fashioned a sling and then tied my arm to my body so it would be immobile.

Like an idiot I was thinking how handsome he was. I chided myself for my romantic meanderings. Then we searched. It was getting dark and I knew we did not have much time left to search, yet the offspring had not eaten in hours.

Marion, with two others, came through the thicket to the clearing first. She gave me a speech about the need for medical care while Bo and I continued to search. Within one or two minutes most of her crew save those on transport detail, were with us searching. Then someone found the den. A large tree had fallen over taking the roots with it, not unusual around here since the roots were often shallow; they had used this as shelter. Inside and to one side were two creatures emitting this sort of mew-whine. He tried to pick one up and it snarled lashing out. He could see the sharp claws and was not about to push it. He asked for a restraining device and cage. I ran over. They must have smelled their mother because they crawled towards me. I sat on the earth and cuddled them in my lap as best I could.

Marion took charge of everyone and I ignored, fascinated with my subjects, till she issued a command to me. I looked up and they were all set to go. I knew it would be an arduous journey for them because there was no road nor means to get through with a vehicle so the creature would have to be carried. Taking things out of my backpack I was going to put the creatures in but had a hard time with one hand. Marion stooped to help and they hissed and bared their teeth. Finally I bent the backpack and ushered them in then tipped it upward. It was a tight fit but they did not seem to mind. Marion helped me get it on my chest and took all the things I had taken out of the backpack placing them in hers.

I explained that my house was closer if she could radio ahead and tell them to meet us she'd save time. Giving her the GPS to follow she took care of everything.

I walked over to Bo, whom everyone else was avoiding for obvious reasons. We spoke about what might happen to the creatures and the possibility of there being more. I felt a simpatico with this man; he seemed in-tune with much society dismissed as insane. Halfway there we stopped walking at the same time and looked over. There was a stationary light in the distance to our side. He called Marion and said possibly there was a quicker way out of here.

Marion looked at the GPS. It was getting too dark to see well. I told her how to make the light come on it, and it told her how much further we'd have to go to reach our destination. After talking we figured it would be safer to continue to my house, which was right over the hill. Going through the field was easier than going back in the woods to some unknown destination. She said she would send a team to talk with the owners of the house tomorrow.

Time seemed to fly but I am sure those carrying the creature didn’t think the trek was simple or short.

When we got to my house I invited everyone who wished in and made up some sandwiches and coffee. Marion took care of everything once again. I told Bo he was welcome to shower. I had baking soda peroxide and dish detergent the only things required once mixed to neutralize the chemicals. He didn't have clothes so decided to leave as is for the moment.

When Marion got off the phone she said that the mother was coming out from the influence of anesthesia and it could nurse her babies soon. I was amazed so much time had expired; it felt like the shortest day of my life.

Feeding my dog I left with them. I didn't tell them how badly I was hurting but I was sure Bo knew. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses while being driven over.

Finally near their mother I relinquished control of the creatures. Then I went off to the hospital to have my arm set. Later, Bo drove me home. He'd gone home to shower and change while I was in the hospital and smelled a bit better.

******
In the coming days I visited and found the containment center they had placed these creatures in more than adequate – actually, I thought I would not mind living in such a place myself. It was not a cage but a containment center to resemble their own environment, sort of like a polar bear confinement in a major zoo. I was told they would readjust plant-life to mimic their environment as time went on but being unexpected this was the best they could do for now.

Doctor Camerade had by now named them a scientific name and asked if I wished to name them something for common usage. I offered, 'berillas' due to the fact that they looked like bears crossed with gorillas. He spoke with me about possible release and the problems such presented and also spoke of the search for more creatures. He said at the same time they were looking for the house or light that we had seen in the forest. I told him I still felt there was something there. He said Bo felt the same thing and had spent days searching. I told him I wanted to go back but was a bit leery due to the fact that I had no tranquilizer gun and did not wish to shoot at anything I found unless I had to. Doctor Camerade insisted if I went back I should not do such alone, nor with just dogs, he said to call Bo.

Normally I worked every other weekend but I switched with a co-worker and got the following weekend off. Bo and I went searching on Saturday and found nothing. He insisted he still felt weird in the woods. On Sunday, as agreed, I brought the dogs with us. Again our search turned up nothing.

We met thereafter whenever we both had the time off. I went sometimes without him but did not tell him for I knew he'd yell at me. It was on one of these excursions alone that I went back to the barn to search for an old foundation of a house. I had not brought the dogs for I was trying to work out a problem at work in my head; walking often helped me come up with solutions.

There was a misty rain and I walked contentedly actually forgetting creatures. As I searched the rains got heavier. I went in the barn to outwait it and sat on the window ledge upstairs so I could see if something approached and watch the rains at the same time. Taking out a snack I was eating an apple and enjoying my evening.

Then I felt a prick and sting in my back as though a hornet stung me but more intense. I figured a yellow jackets' nest must be nearby and I knew they stung repeatedly and often in unison. I got up and grabbed my bag starting to run, but I did not see bees or hornets. Looking at the back of my shoulder I saw a dart. I pulled it out. I thought: Shit! Someone must have accidentally shot at me thinking I was a creature. Then I laughed to myself because I was a creature. I wondered how long I would have before this would wear off and how dazed I would get. Not seeing the person who shot me I wonder if I should be concerned. Should I climb down now so I would not fall while groggy – or should I climb up on the rafter again and tie myself to it hiding from whoever did this? I looked over but saw no rope. I wondered if I had time to get mine from my pack and secure it, totally forgetting I had only one arm since the other was still in a cast. While getting the rope I felt so groggy.

Then I saw a man. I called out. He apologized for shooting me. I flung my backpack on my back and climbed down the rickety stair-ladder. Walking up to him I fell on my knees. My speech was slurred. He stroked my hair back from my face. I put my hand up hoping he'd help me. He placed his hand under mine and took the dart then moving my fingers to his lips he kissed them tenderly. I fell down. He spoke in soothing tones telling me I would be all right then he eased off my backpack and turned me over so I could see upward. I trusted him.

*****
I kept seeing this creature I named a berillas holding on to the rafter and I was down below trying to get to it. I jumped and fell through some boards landing on my arm. It hurt. I moaned.

Then I woke. I was in the barn. I must have fallen asleep and saw the creature and myself in reverse positions.

Dully I remembered through the fog having a dart in my back by my shoulder blade – the side with the cast on it. I felt and there appeared to be a mark. Strange. I did not know what was real and what fantasy anymore. I was disoriented and felt unsteady on my feet. Looking for a dart I saw none. I started walking toward the roadway knowing though this was longer it was most likely safer at this point. It was getting real dark and I required my flashlight to see; though a full moon I did not want to be in these particular woods late at night.

Eventually the feeling wore off and I was able to walk normally. When I got home I called Doctor Camerade. I did not say much yet, merely that I wished to meet him. He said he was in a meeting but would be done in a half-hour. I drove out.

Once there, I told him I knew he would yell at me for not bringing Bo with me but Bo was working and I went for a walk every evening before this all came about. I told him the weird experience. I wondered if it was true why the person would not stay with me while I was unconscious and I explained that I was not in the same place when I awoke in which I thought I had fallen -- also I could not find my grandmother's necklace which I rarely took off -- further, I'd lost four hours. He checked my back and said it sure looked as though I had had a dart in it. Calling Doctor Sere she examined it and agreed. Taking blood for a test they said they'd have the results tomorrow.

Officer Boton Trumble showed up; it seemed Dr. Camerade had called him too. They made me go to the campus clinic. If I could have crawled under a chair I would have. I felt like a dog that knew he did something wrong and was in big trouble. I started, "Bo, don't yell at me."

"I won't tell you how stupid what you did was because I think by now you know that. Let me ask you something: Did you ever think possibly someone was tampering with genetics and perhaps that light we saw that night was that someone? We don't even know if you have been subjected to anything -- and a simple exam won't be able to tell that. I did not take you for a stupid person, Eliza, now I will have to reassess."

Ablush, I did not know what to say. Truthfully I never even thought of that, maybe I was caught up in the romance of finding a missing link, or maybe as he said, I was stupid. He demanded they do a rape test at the very least.

He decreed I was being admitted to the hospital. I countered, "LIKE HELL!"

Later he drove me home in my car telling me he'd have someone pick him up later. I still didn't know what to say so I just stared out the window.

When we got to the house he pulled the car into the garage and closed the doors. Inside he dropped his backpack at the door like he always did. I let my dog out. It was clear he was still angry. I made tea. He sat in the chair he had gotten used to in the past weeks. When I handed him his tea I said, "I can't rationalize or excuse my behavior. I am sorry."

His decorum was remote and professional. He asked questions taking down my answers then said he was sending a police sketch artist over in the morning. I nodded. I wanted to tell him I wanted to go back to find my necklace, but I was afraid to risk his ire. "We are sending a crew to look for evidence in the morning. You are to stay out of the woods."

"Don't you think you are going overboard? Someone may have just shot me by accident."

"If that is the case then why do your vaginal secretions show semen? Did you have sex before you went in the woods?"

"No. I'm a virgin. What else did the tests show? Was there a rape?"

"As opposed to what? Artificial insemination? I guess that depends on your definition, doesn't it? Unconsented sex is rape! There appears to be no force but you were drugged so force wouldn't be necessary. You also have a spot that could be an injection sight or blood draw – not the one Sere did but another in your broken arm." He showed me on my arm by the bend under the bottom edge of the cast. "You told the doctor you have not had either recently to your knowledge and don't remember bumping into devil's walking cane, witch hazel, or thorn apple. Further, you are missing a necklace. These things could be coincidences, of course, but statistically it seems improbable. Perhaps it was just someone looking for creatures but why rape a sleeping person? Further, we have not found the house we thought we saw, so undoubtedly there is no house but someone was out there with a light. Doctor Camerade still has more questions than answers. As do I."

Sotto voce I softly said, “I wasn’t raped, I’d hurt. Rape is violent a crime of hate and anger.” Bo raised an eyebrow as though voicing his objection.

In disquietude I got up to let Kama in. He got up to call for a ride. Gently he put his finger on my cheek and wiped a tear away. "Do you want me to stay?"

"What I want is for you not to be mad at me."

"Maybe tomorrow, right now I am angry. I am posting two officers outside. If you need anything or don't feel well, tell them."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Well, those are your choices: I stay or they do."

"What is it you are afraid of?"

"That this person knows where you live."

"So? I have a dog and a gun."

"Eliza, your dog loves people, and you are not likely to shoot anyone because you do too. You see an injured animal that moments before attacked you and you don't even flee your concern is for the animal. Now I ask again -- do you want me to stay?"

"Fine, stay and be angry if it makes you happy."

"I don't want you to break your normal routine. What would you do tonight if I were not here? What lights would you have on?"

"Well, it is a full moon and as reincarnated oracles of Delphi, six virgins and I would dance naked under the oak tree yonder then have a wild orgy with captives we'd chosen for their endowments." He smiled. "I'd read. Are you going to stay awake all night, are you coming in my bed to fulfill my dreams, or do you want bedding for the couch bed."

"Which would you prefer?"

"My answer may incriminate me so I'll take the fifth. If you want sheets and blankets they are in that cabinet." I pointed. "Books, as you know, are everywhere. Food is in the kitchen and you are familiar with the layout of the house so you know where the bathroom is. And normally only my bedroom light would be on."

I went to shower. Later, in a nightgown, opening the bedroom window to smell the fresh air that followed a rainstorm, I flopped on the bed on my stomach and for the first time thought rationally about the whole day. First, I probably destroyed any chance of a relationship with this man I really liked. I could be pregnant. I might even be carrying some weird creature, and if so would I raise it; would it need to be put in a zoo? Was it human? An ultrasound couldn't be done till 17 weeks, could one even abort at that point? No, these thoughts were stupid; a human would reject something non-human and abort spontaneously.

I must have been crying because Bo came in and sat on the bed, touching my back before I noticed him.

"Tell me what you are thinking."

I turned over and laid my head on the bed. "I'm thinking you hate me."

He kissed me. "I don't hate you. I am worried about you. Tell me what you are thinking." I told him all I felt.

Within minutes we were making love. Later I thought how this helped nothing; in fact it just complicated things immensely. Not that I regretted having him but now if I was pregnant I would not know if it was his or someone/something else's – at least not for a while. Now there was no way I would consider abortion. I was wishing I'd had some form of birth control on hand, yet this was not planned. I figured I'd have plenty of time before a relationship got to this point.

I awoke in the middle of the night to a dream of being in a polar bear-like pen with berillas watching me – it was a very old Twilight Zone – of course then it was aliens that had a human family in a house-like cage. I looked and Bo was still in my bed. That much of this nightmare was not fantasy at least; it seemed the only good thing to happen to me in the past 24 hours. I knew for certain only one thing: I was not going to let anyone know. I did not want him fired because of my impulsive weakness. To relieve my angst I started running my good hand on his body all the while wishing the cast was off. Awakened, he watched me. We made love again.

*****
They found my locket and Bo gave it back to me. It had been in the barn.

As time went on it was clear I was pregnant. I did not tell my obstetrician my fears. Bo had moved in and we got married, I had no doubt he'd see me through whatever came. At 17 weeks we went for an ultrasound. The picture showed well-formed twins. Of course that did not mean they were healthy. And it did not tell us who the father was. Bo was black, the man with the dart was white; I figured we'd know soon enough.

Bo refused to let me go back in the woods regardless of the supplication I put forth. I told him I wanted to search for flowers by the foundation that must be there; he bought me plants and said, "No!" We went walking on town streets; Kama dog liked this a lot better loving people so much.

One night towards the end of my pregnancy Bo sat up almost in a jump and it woke me. "Shhh," he commanded. We listened. Our neighbor's rottweilers were barking. This was rare as they were trained and only barked for good reason.

Kama wagged her tail. She did that only if she knew someone was outside, expecting the mailwoman or meter-reader, both of which carried treats. "Get in the closet," Bo commanded. "I want you in a ball way over to the side under that sleeping bag. And don't come out unless I come to get you."

I obeyed, but I didn't like it. I waited, breathing gingerly shallow breaths, not merely to escape detection but as far along as I was at this point it was hard to breath in the cramped position I was in.

I heard Bo yelling. Finally he called in and said everything was okay. He was still in the other room, I could hear. As I got out of the closet he told me to just stay in the bedroom. I heard him on the phone when I came out of the closet. Kama lied down by my feet. I wanted to see if it was the man, but feared upsetting Bo so did as he bade and lied on the bed watching the ceiling and thinking.

I heard the police car arrive to pick him up then Bo came to the bedroom. "I am going down to the station, do you want to come or shall I have guards posted?"

"Bo, is it him?"

"I don't know yet but he looks like the sketch."

"Why wouldn't you let me see him?"

"These things must be done in a certain way so as not to prejudice you."

"I'd like to come." I stood to get dressed.

"Take a book."

When we got there Bo directed me to his seat and left me. Later he came to have me look at men in a line-up. Three of the five men looked similar but there was no doubt in my mind which man shot me with a dart. Later Bo walked back with me to his seat and left again.

He came back some time later. I was asleep on a bench. He explained what they knew after he woke me. "Einstein's brain was kept for years in a bottle in a cardboard box behind a beer cooler in a small-town doctor's office -- a Dr. Thomas S. Harvey of Kansas; he was a pathologist at Princeton hospital when they did the autopsy in 1955. Anyway, it appears when the brain was finally divided many doctors got a piece. Dr. Beardsley, the man that shot you, as a promising lab assistant, stole some. He has been working in genetics for years and indeed created the berillas. It appears in this case he was trying to create another Einstein.

"While this is illegal and many will denounce it as nefarious, there is no doubt in my mind that others will secretly applaud his actions -- although not the manner in which he brought it to culmination. But they will be particularly supportive if what he did accomplishes his goal – in fact I have no doubt the government will want him and soon he'll be taken from us."

He continued, "Of course most of us would ask why? Creating another Einstein not brought up in the same manner will not produce another Einstein and you'd have only half of the genetic material in the sperm. Would half the genetic material produce another Hitler or Jesus?

"It has been hypothesized that he chose you merely because you were there. Others feel it was because he was angry with you for finding the berillas. I don't know. I saw him look over to the bedroom I think he was hoping to see you – I wonder if he did not follow you in the woods at times and fall in love. I think he was trying to kidnap you tonight so you would give birth while in his custody. He had a sedative on him. He refuses to say anything further to us he wants to see you, Eliza. I don't want you to see him but I know others will pressure you. I also know when the media gets wind of this you will be hounded till you give birth and if such is not a mixed race child maybe for the rest of your lives."

"Bo, I want to see him."

"You understand that your conversation will be taped and others will watch?"

"Bo, please. I need to know why."

"I will agree only if Marion and I are in the room."

"You think he will agree to that?"

"He has no choice."

"Fine."

Bo led me in the room. I sat down. There was a narrow table between us. Bo stood behind me. Marion stood to one side behind the doctor who was cuffed.

"Dr. Beardsley, why? Why didn't you just ask? Do you hate me? Was this punishment or salary?"

He put his hand on mine and I knew it wasn't punishment. "You wouldn't have agreed."

"Why me?"

"You were the first that was a virgin. I wanted to be sure. And…" his voice trailed off.

"You mean you sedated other women?"

"I work with infertile couples."

"I still don't understand why you didn't just put an ad in the paper. Surely thousands of virgins would have offered themselves in sacrifice." I pondered for a second. "Never mind I know why. Your secret would be out. Dr. Beardsley, did the financial burden you would be placing on a single mother even enter into your mind? I would not have chosen to have a child at my age – not for at least five years. I am in college part time and struggling to stay there, I had planned to continue my education."

"The offspring is to be cared for, it is all set up; the papers are in my house."

"And where might that be?"

"I've already told them."

"I know many will condone what you have done. You may be heralded as a hero in some scientific communities. I, however, am not sure how I feel. You put me through hell and I am still living in it for we don't know your grand experiment worked, do we? Let me see if I have this right: You did not create sperm. You cloned! You took the nucleus out of an egg, replaced it selectively, stimulated it to start growth then implanted it. The egg was not mine unless you took me before I knew about it – did you take me days before?" I tried to count back in my head to figure out when I was ovulating but couldn't, it was too long ago to remember.

"It wasn't yours."

"I am just an incubator." I said with finality. "The sperm was yours to throw us off, so we would think it was merely a rape, or possibly because you saw me lying there and thought, 'What the hell!' What if my body rejected this clone? "What if this baby is just yours? Or is that what you are hoping as a second place winner? Obviously you are brilliant to accomplish where others have failed merely in the creation of a new species of animal. Could your actions be ad hominem in this? What if this child is malevolent, because that is how I view you at this moment? I think you should have a psychological evaluation. I wonder if it is love or hate - this fixation of yours. You could have wooed me; instead you chose to capture me. Were the berillas mistakes? I know the babies are similar to the parents so I am guessing the parents are not first generation, or are they clones of your combined species? My God, I am going to have to read a book you are going to write merely to untangle your labyrinth! Did the fact that these creatures are lethal bother you at all? Did you think about the children they might have killed? You must have created others and most likely small ones first. Are we going to find weird mice running around? Or bats that act like mountain lions?"

He had not interjected an answer to any of these questions thus far. Then he said, "They were not a mistake but I did not know how it would manifest itself. I never saw them aggressive before. But she wasn't out to eat you. They only eat small prey and prefer fruits, small shoots, and leaves. I gave the police all this information."

"Bull! Primates have been known to display cannibal tendencies after a battle for territory, and bear have been shown to kill humans at times. Herbivores generally have eyes on the sides not front. And she could have killed me regardless. And he caused me harm. Actually, they both caused me harm – both psychological and physical. Do you have any idea how many nightmares I have had?"

"I'm sorry."

"For the record, you should know I am carrying twins and they may be Bo's." He smiled. As I spoke with him more was reveled merely by talking it out, as though I was so anxious before I had not thought of it and now it was so clear. "But you knew that didn't you? You implanted twins. Were they both the same clone, or is one you and one him?"

He didn't answer.

I slammed my fist on the table. "Answer me!"

"Both of us."

Lightly I said, as though to convince myself, "My mother was a twin, they could still be Bo's. Maybe it was my egg." I put my hand on my forehead thinking about all this. "Regardless what happens you are about to become famous -- you assured that -- and most likely with intent too!"

"It wasn't the aim."

"No, of course not – you were obsessed with the science. You missed philosophy classes." I put my head on the table then lifted it. "Not being brought up as Einstein I don't believe would create another exceptional being. Truth be told I believe it is soul, not body, which determines. The neurotransmitter pathways must be forged by the age of eleven because after that they start breaking off, the brain decides they will not use them and discards the usage. Regardless of the parentage I will do what I can to help all my children but even still I doubt it will produce your desired results. And I will tell you right now, THESE ARE MY CHILDREN! You may have implanted them but you will never get custody. If I have to I will leave the country. There is no way for me to put words to my feelings right now, for the wound is too deep and raw. Surely you didn't think I would share them with you."

"No."

"I still don't have an answer that satisfies the question: Why me?"

"Because of your last statements --- because you know. And because you will try. And I knew you wouldn't give them up or abort – you are empathetic."

"So that was why you raped me as second choice in case the first failed – you thought I had all you lacked!" I accused. He didn't say anything but I knew my words hurt him.

Softly he said, “There was no rape.”

"Tell me something, Dr. Beardsley, were you planning on stealing my children or putting me in a cage – or were you hoping to talk me into reason? Why did you come to my home tonight?"

Under his breath with his head down he said, "I'd do whatever I had to but no more."

"So, you came to tell me – you brought a sedative to give me if I freaked on learning this, didn't you? But you were hoping I'd be thrilled. You must have known I married a police officer -- my name is Trumble now. You seem meticulous so I doubt you let that slip by. Did you think he was working tonight?"

"His car was not out front."

"It is in the shop for repairs."

His demeanor said he was not apologizing for his actions, nor was he embarrassed, but proud. I felt like telling him I had sex with Bo the same night merely to make him doubt because he seemed so sure. "Dr. Beardsley, you seem so positive this worked, how do you even know I was ovulating at the time? Or doesn't that matter with clones -- can you implant them any time? It is obvious I will have to do a bit of research. But I think now you planned this so your sperm was second choice so you most likely timed, didn't you?" Wispily I added not at all sure of anything anymore, “No you smeared sperm to throw us off, you wouldn’t jeopardize the implant.  That’s why you insist there was no rape. The sperm wasn’t yours, was it?”

"I went through your trash."

"You had this planned before you shot me?! Oh, of course you did, how stupid of me." I was befuddled and longed for a stiff drink, which I hadn’t touched in nine months.

"I have followed you at times."

"How did you follow me without my knowing? This is unsettling! I think I will get a rottweiler myself." I looked in his eyes. "You have tagged me, haven't you? What is it, my backpack?"

"Your locket."

"That was my grandmother's necklace."

"I put a transmitter in it, and Kama's collar."

I don't know what my countenance said but I felt nauseous. I shivered. "You know my dog's name? Of course, you must have heard me call her. You broke in my house while I was at work? Or was I asleep?"

"You were in the shower."

Bo put his hand on my shoulder. "You took it out when you impregnated me, didn't you? That's why I lost my necklace; you didn't want them to know."

"No, I changed the battery." I slipped my necklace off my neck and handed it to Bo, quivering.

"Why did you leave me alone drugged in the woods?"

"I didn't. I followed you."

"You followed me stumbling, dazed, for over an hour in the dark? Why didn't you just drive me home? My God, didn't it hurt you to see me in such a state? I am just a lab rat to you – you knew by then I would know. Do you think your experiment in eugenics is somehow less malevolent than Hitler's?" My eyes suffused with tears. "I know you want me to forgive you but I can't. You invaded me. If you had asked me whose baby I wanted of all the people that have ever lived, I'd say Bo's. Did you set up a video in my house too?"

He shook his head.

"Did you do this to anyone else? Are we to find humrillas in a couple years?" He shook his head. "Were you watching while I was attacked?"

"No. I was looking for her. I knew she must have given birth."

"So it was your light we saw when we carried the male out?"

He put my hand to his lips and gently kissed it. "I'm sorry."

Disturbed by the feeling that I could have liked this man if he had not used me like a lab rat, I stood up and hugged my husband. Bo kissed my forehead. "I wish I could believe that. It seems to me you told me that before in the same manner. Did you consider the damage that could accrue due to my psychological state, both to the fetuses and myself? I am paranoid! I am afraid to make a move without Bo's permission. Does it bother you that you took a confident self-sufficient human being and made her into the mess you see before you?" I looked in Bo's eyes and kissed him, trembling. He led me to the door.

I turned back as we got to the door. "So now we wait? I in angst, you in hope, Bo in sorrow, the world – who knows what the world will feel, my guess is they will be terrified of the prospects of what this could mean for the future of mankind."