“I know that, but I didn’t have any evidence in your case. After all the rain that we had, it could have been that your camper had simply been washed away with half the mountain or like I said before, it could’ve been a bear. You know as well as I do that the flow of runoff from the snow melt can get bad so there weren’t any footprints, no blood samples, hair…nothing!”
Pete sat back in his seat and stared intently at the sheriff sitting across the table from him.
“Look, Pete, you know that mountain better than anyone. If there is a…’Sasquatch’ up there, I want to know where to look.”
Pete’s eyes lit up. Whether it was with fear or excitement, the sheriff couldn’t tell. The little man across from him sat up a little taller, put his hands on the table, and leaned forward.
Pete grinned. “Sheriff, you don’t need to ask me. Just go out to that cabin and wait. They’ll find you!”
+++
Gavin Denizen suddenly froze in place and grew silent, peering fixedly into the woods behind the cabin. Phil noticed his actions and stopped what he was doing. He quietly walked over to stand beside him. He and Phil had gone out to the barn to feed the livestock and take care of a few chores. Gavin carried a rifle and acted as security while Phil tended to the animals.
Phil had never seen the creatures around the Denizen’s cabin as he worked, but he would often see footprints at the corral where the goats were kept. None of the animals were ever taken, though. He didn’t have a rifle with him, but when he noticed Gavin’s actions, he nervously picked up a hand axe. He held it tightly in his right hand while he stood next to Gavin in the shadow of the barn door.
Phil whispered, “What is it?”
“Out there by that big aspen and that brush pile to the left of it. It’s just standing there watching us. There’s another one fifty yards behind that one. They’re not hiding. I think they want us to see ‘em,” Gavin whispered.
Phil looked where Gavin had indicated, but could see nothing at first. Then, a small movement caught his eye. At first he couldn’t understand what he was seeing, but then it became clear. The monster was standing behind a brush pile that must have been seven or eight feet high. The creature was watching them just as they were watching it. It gave Phil an eerie feeling and he gripped the axe tighter with both hands.
“I’ve not seen them get this close in the daylight and never more than one,” Gavin said.
“What do you think they want?” Phil asked.
“I don’t know, but we need to get back to the house and let the others know. It’ll be dark soon and I don’t want to be out here then.” Gavin replied.
The two men slowly moved away from the front door of the barn, pulling it closed behind them and carefully made their way out the back to the house. Clance was at the window with a rifle in his hand when they walked in.
“I just now looked out and saw it. How long has it been there?” the elder asked.
“It’s been watching us for about fifteen minutes. I never saw it come up on us. Snuck right up close. I smelled it before I saw it.”
“How’d you let it get that close to you without seeing it?” The grizzled mountain man asked.
“Because it didn’t want me to until it was ready to be seen!” Gavin answered.
“Mmmm,” the big man muttered thoughtfully.
Clance watched the Sasquatch through the kitchen window while the others took positions around the cabin at other windows searching for anything out of the ordinary.
“There’s another one out there by the smokehouse,” Jolene said softly.
Phil put the axe down and picked up a rifle that Clance had out on the table. He filled his pockets with extra cartridges, walked over to a window, and took up a position being careful not to stand directly in front of it. His knees trembled from fear.
The cabin was well fortified against the harsh winters and was built to sustain the family for long periods of time. Clance was good with his hands and certainly hadn’t thrown together a shack to live in. The walls were built with solid pine logs and looked to be able to withstand a major assault without as much as a board out of place. Phil felt safe as long as he was inside, but sure wished he was back at home.
The family had an old 4x4 work truck, a tractor and snowmobiles that they kept well maintained. The snowmobiles were needed in these mountains more so than any other vehicle. When the heavy snows came, the truck was simply not much good at all. When they went hunting, they used the sleds to carry the game back home. All of the vehicles were kept in the large hay barn just across from the family’s house.
“They’re leaving,” Clance said flatly.
“The one on this side is too. What do you think they want, Dad?” Mathew asked.
“Not sure, but they wanted us to know that they were leaving. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have let us see them leave at all.”
After a few minutes Clance stated, “I’m gonna follow them and see what I can find out.”
“I’ll get my coat.”
“No, Gav, I’m going alone. Less chance they spot me. Everyone stay inside until I get back. Keep the doors bolted and cover the windows. If I ain’t back by morning, get everyone off this mountain. Take nothing except the rifles and snowmobiles. And move fast!”
The eldest son knew better than to try and argue with his father. Instead, he began closing the dark curtains on the windows and checking the rifles. He silently watched the elder Denizen put his coat on and slip out the door.
+++
The night dragged on for Troy. He was unable to fall asleep after his conversation with the sheriff earlier that day. In fact, that’s all he could think about. The sheriff had told him that the judge set his arraignment for the next morning. That was good news. The bad news came when he said that the District Attorney wanted to go after him with everything they had and firmly believed she would get a conviction. After hearing that, he figured his chances of getting out on bail would be pretty slim.
His attorney had also visited with him for a few hours earlier in the day to go over the details of his story. Once again, he tried to convince Troy to plead self-defense, but Troy maintained his complete innocence. He had been locked up in the county jail for several weeks now and even though the news wasn’t good, he felt some relief that his case was finally moving forward.
Troy had no family and his two closest friends were gone. He had no one close to support him. He had always relied on himself throughout his career and never needed anyone. This time was different. He had never been in a situation as dire as he was now and longed for the days that he had his parents to count on. He felt like a small child in trouble and needed them desperately.
When eight o’clock ticked off, he was already dressed and ready. The sheriff had returned that morning and, along with Deputy Larson, they made their way through the labyrinth of hallways to the courtroom where they met his attorney. Once inside, the two officers took their seats directly behind Troy.
Judge Brown was seventy years old, but still as sharp as a tack. When he entered the courtroom he looked it over with a quick glance, took his seat at the bench, and rapped his gavel to bring the room to silence. The court clerk had a brief discussion with him and then she began with a statement of charges. Troy held his breath for what seemed like an eternity trying his best impression at innocence. He had never been in a situation such as this before, not even a speeding ticket or traffic court. He was nervous and his knees were shaking. Once read, the judge asked for a plea by the defense and both Troy and his attorney stood.
“Not guilty, your Honor,” his attorney said.
The hearing was short. The judge ordered a jury trial and set a date only three weeks out. Troy’s attorney asked for bail and was granted it, but with the condition that he would have to wear an ankle monitor. His attorney whispered to him that with any luck he would be walking out tomorrow. Troy felt this was his first victory, albeit a small one and the relief showed clearly on his face. Being in a ten
by twelve jail cell was driving him crazy. He couldn’t understand why anyone would intentionally break the law and risk going to jail for any reason.
Chapter 23
It was a little after midnight when the deadbolt on the door of the cabin jiggled. Phil was standing near enough to hear it and breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Clance’s voice from outside.
“It’s me, open up,” Clance said.
Phil moved quickly and met Mathew at the door. Jolene turned the coal oil lamp down low and motioned for the boys to go ahead. Together they pulled the large wooden crossbar beams off, set them aside, and opened the door for Clance. Gavin was standing at the front door with rifle in hand.
“What did you see?” Gavin asked his father.
“Saw that we need to get moving at daybreak. The road off the mountain is blocked by trees and they weren’t dead ones. Those trees were purposely knocked down on the road. I think that the two that were here watching us were just trying to lure us out and then ambush us on the road. They’re a lot smarter than what I thought,” Clance told cabin’s occupants.
“Oh my God.” Jolene said as she moved closer to her husband with a look of fear of her face. “Why? They’ve never tried to hurt us before.”
“Not sure, but I don’t think we’re safe here any longer. We need to pack up and be ready to move out at first light. We’ll take the snowmobiles out the back way over the mountain.”
“Doesn’t that take us back down by my buddy’s cabin near Hawthorn Lake?” Phil asked.
Clance turned to look at him and said, “Yes, but it’s the only other pass off of this mountain. I know it well, but so do those damned beasts! What I’m counting on is that they aren’t nearly as smart as they think they are. I think they’re all at the road block waiting on us so I’m hoping we can go out the back way before they realize what’s happening. We will travel light and fast. Gav, make sure everyone has a rifle and plenty of ammo then check on the snowmobiles and make sure they’re plugged in and the tanks are full. Phil, if you don’t mind helping?”
The group set about making sure they were packed and ready to go. They would be leaving out in a few hours so Clance suggested they all try to get some rest, but they were all too worried to get much sleep. He went into his bedroom and closed the door. Soon the others could hear him snoring so they remained as quiet as possible going about their business.
There had never been any issues living among the beasts for they rarely showed themselves. They normally ranged in a different area of the mountain and had never bothered anyone.
Phil sat at the kitchen table sipping a hot cup of coffee and thinking about everything that had transpired over the last several weeks. He had no idea if his friends had made it out of the woods that night and back to the cabin. He vaguely remembered being knocked out of the ATV by the Sasquatch and then was running for his life. It all seemed surreal as he sat there in the big, warm cabin. He had heard stories about the Sasquatch since he was a kid, but always thought they were simply stories designed to scare children. His grandmother called it Tsul Kalu which, as he recalled, meant ‘sloped giant’ in Cherokee.
After a few hours Clance Denizen awoke, got dressed and walked into the main room of the house joining the others. They were dressed and waiting on him. It would be daylight soon and he wanted to be well away from the cabin when the sun came up.
“Are the supplies loaded on the sleds?” Clance asked.
“Yes sir. All loaded and ready to go.” Gavin replied.
“I’ll slip out first. Give me five minutes and watch the barn door. If it opens up, everyone come out as quickly and quietly as you can. Once everyone is ready to go from the barn, I’m going to start the pickup, drive it to the top of the hill, then get out and let it roll. As soon as I start the truck, you all start the sleds so that the truck engine will help mask the sounds. Soon as you see the truck go down the hill be ready to move. If any of them are out there watching, they may think we’re in the truck and give us a little window to get away. They’re fast so we’ll have to move faster. We only have four sleds. Jo rides with me; Gavin, you and your sister on one then Phil and Mathew can each have one. When I say fast, I mean you better keep up with me, boys!” Clance said.
Clance picked up his rifle, slung it over his shoulder and slipped out the back door. After a few minutes the others saw the barn door open so they all made their way to the barn as instructed. Clance waited on them and when they were ready, he started the truck and they started the snowmobiles. He told them once again to be ready, as soon as he made it back to the barn they would slip out the back way as quietly as possible.
Phil watched the grizzled mountain man drive off in the truck. He pulled on a pair of goggles and adjusted them. He was nervous and scared. He had seen firsthand how powerful these creatures were. He mounted his snowmobile and prepared to go. It was dark inside the barn, but he could see the gray sky outside well enough to navigate by. The lights on the snowmobiles were shut off so that they couldn’t be spotted. He went over the instructions in his head. ‘Go fast and keep in a straight line.’ Clance would lead and he would bring up the rear. If he saw anything at all, he was to flash his headlight on and off. That’s all the others would need to be alerted.
He watched the pickup as Clance drove out of the barn and turn down the road. The brake lights shined brightly for a moment and then went off as it started down the hill on its own power. Clance quietly jumped out of the moving vehicle once it was headed downhill and returned to the barn a few minutes later ready to go. He wasted no time climbing on his sled in front of his wife to lead the small troop out the back way. He was followed closely by Gavin, and then Mathew and Phil last in the small convoy.
Clance didn’t exaggerate about moving fast. Phil struggled to keep up. He thought he would have no trouble since he spent most of his life riding four-wheelers, but this was different. It was much darker in the woods than he anticipated. The sky may have been gray, but the path in the woods was almost black. He could make out the others in front of him and the shapes of trees as they flew past him, but he couldn’t see any detail. Several times he was slapped in the face by tree branches which was alarming enough, but when he almost ran over the top of Mathew that was altogether another level of scary.
They rode for what seemed like a good half hour when Clance pulled up and motioned for the others to stop. The sun was up, but the visibility through the woods was still not good. Clance truly knew his way around and Phil was confident in his ability to get them over the mountain pass.
“It’s going to get tight from here on. The pass is narrow in some places, but not too bad. Just take it slow and easy and follow me. Keep a little more distance between us in case I have to pull up short.” Clance told them.
The others nodded acknowledgement at the elder’s words and moved out following him once again. Phil watched as each snowmobile pull away and when there was sufficient space, he hit the throttle on his sled and followed behind Mathew. The snowmobile caught traction and immediately lurched forward. It felt good to be moving again. He didn’t much care for sitting still; the hair on the back of his neck stood up like thousands of tiny needles.
Just as Clance had warned, the trail became very narrow in parts. Phil’s hands held firm to the handle grips of the snowmobile as he maneuvered in and out of the rocky trail. There were many hairpin turns, but it was easier to navigate than he had imagined and it helped that there were fewer trees to block the sunlight. The trail would lead down out of the mountain and very near to the cabin. With any luck, he thought, he would find his friends there and they would be able to get to town and off this blasted mountain. It had been too long and he knew they would all be worried.
Clance led the group up and over a rocky point which seemed to be the very top of the mountain. Phil couldn’t see any other higher points when he glanced back over his shoulder to survey the area. It was a beautiful scene as the snow covered much of the rocky outcroppings at the
top of the mountain and the fresh white powder hung heavily on the branches of the huge pine trees in the forest below. He hoped to get back into the comfort of that tree line soon. Being out in the open as they were, he felt particularly vulnerable.
The pass opened wide allowing the snowmobiles a short clearing where Clance gunned the throttle and picked up the pace once again opening a large gap between the riders. Gavin fell behind causing Mathew and Phil bunch up in the rear of the formation. Just as Clance reached the edge of the forest line a boulder came crashing down just in front of his sled and he veered sharply behind a fallen pine tree and shot out of sight altogether. Gavin also reacted quickly and sent his sled in a sharp skid following directly behind his father.
Mathew wasn’t as lucky. When he turned his snowmobile, the right rudder caught a snag on a rock and flipped the machine. Phil watched it happen directly in front of him and almost hit the same jagged rock, but his quick reaction saved his sled. He hit the brakes hard, turned the rudders, and hit the gas in the opposite direction coming to a sliding stop. In a flash of movement, he grabbed the rifle off his shoulder and got off a snapshot at the creature that he spotted not far away in the rocks. The beast let out a horrific scream and disappeared back into the woods giving Mathew enough time to get back to his snowmobile and get it started. Phil let his rifle fall on his back with the sling holding it in place and turned his snowmobile to catch up with Mathew.
“You okay?” Phil asked.
“Yeah, but my rudder is busted.” Mathew replied.
“Jump on!” Phil said.
Mathew climbed on the back of Phil’s machine and held on tight. Phil hit the throttle hard and the sled rocketed forward to where he could still see the trail.
“Follow that trail. In a couple hundred yards in, it will turn south and go straight down the ridge line,” he barked.
Siege at Hawthorn Lake: Murder on the Mountain Page 19