In the Woods Read Online Free PDF Page B

said they could talk on the way to the body and asked Hank and Harper to lead the way. His arrival had drawn the attention of some campers, though. About a half dozen clustered across the road, eyeing them.
    â€˜What happened, Joe?’ A leathery woman holding a coffee mug ambled over, joining them.
    â€˜Nothing you need to worry about, Sylvie,’ the captain said.
    â€˜Don’t condescend to me. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t something to worry about.’ Her voice was raspy. She walked beside the captain, craning her neck to look up at him. ‘Somebody die?’
    â€˜Sylvie, this is none of your concern.’
    â€˜Hell if it isn’t. If it’s out there hunting people, we have a right to know. We don’t want to be next.’
    The captain stopped; so did Ranger Daniels, Harper and Hank.
    â€˜I’ve told them it’s just made-up rumors,’ Daniels said.
    â€˜We know better,’ Sylvie insisted. ‘It’s back. That hiker saw it. And the footprints – you saw them yourself …’
    â€˜Sylvie, stop.’ The captain spoke gently. ‘You’re getting yourself all riled up. If something’s out there – and I’m not saying there is or there isn’t – it’s best you tell people to stay away from the area near the bog. Stay where you know it’s safe—’
    â€˜Oh, come on, Joe,’ Ranger Daniels broke in. ‘You’ll start a panic. Sylvie, I told you there’s nothing to worry about, and there isn’t.’
    â€˜And I showed you the articles. Did you read The Sasquatch Genome Project? They’ve found evidence, scientists have. From fourteen states and Canada. Not just footprints, either.’
    â€˜Sylvie. This isn’t the time.’ The ranger tried to brush her off.
    â€˜Then when is the time, Ranger? When the creature kills again? The articles prove it’s real. They found samples of hair, skin, blood and bones—’
    â€˜Not now.’ Daniels tried to move away, but Sylvie moved along with him.
    â€˜â€”one hundred and eleven different specimens with DNA that’s almost human but doesn’t match any known animals. It’s proof, whether you want to believe it or not.’
    â€˜If you’re worried, Sylvie, do like I said. Stay away from the bog area. I think that’s easy enough to do.’ The captain turned away, motioned for Daniels to accompany him into the woods.
    Sylvie trailed after them. ‘They found DNA in Denmark, too. It’s all in those articles. Just read them.’
    Daniels stopped and put his hand up, spoke in a gentle tone. ‘Slader and I’ve got business to take care of, Sylvie. Tell your friends to calm down. This isn’t about your Bog Man.’ He nodded to the group across the street and took off after the captain.
    Hank took Harper’s hand, gave it a squeeze. She squeezed back, a silent confirmation that she’d been listening to this strange exchange, and they walked along, following the ranger and the captain. As they entered the woods, Harper looked back over her shoulder. Sylvie was standing alone in the road, holding her coffee, watching them leave.
    â€˜What was that?’ Hank asked.
    â€˜Nothing,’ Daniels said. ‘Just people getting spooked.’
    â€˜It’s not nothing.’ Captain Slader scowled. ‘I saw the tracks.’
    â€˜Tracks?’ Hank asked.
    â€˜Some folks have it in their heads that there’s a big scary ape creature prowling out near the bogs.’
    â€˜And there might be something to it.’
    The captain’s stride was long. Harper struggled to keep up. Her left leg ached, and they’d just started the hike.
    â€˜A couple of local hunters say they saw it,’ Slader went on. ‘And last week, a hiker got lost out near the bog and said it came after him.’
    â€˜The guy was half-drunk, half-delusional from being alone in