Urban Bigfoot Read online

  Urban Bigfoot

  Deb Stratton

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  For When the Dream Finds you …

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  Copyright© 2017 Deb Stratton

  Urban Bigfoot

  All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in printed or electronic form without the express written permission of the Author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are a product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to any person, living or deceased is coincidental.

  First Printing: April, 2017

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Edition: April, 2017

  ISBN-10: 1544134886

  ISBN-13: 9781544134888

  Introduction

  For many years the search for Bigfoot has captured the attention of many worldwide. Bigfoot sightings have been reported in many Cities, States and Countries. The Bigfoot enthusiasm was launched many years ago. Each state or country has come up with their own nicknames to describe the hairy cryptid. What we call the beast is based on the sighting location. Will you spot any variation of the Hairy Being in your area? Oh, it is very possible. Encounters are reported across the United States and worldwide daily. The sightings have been in the wooded north and as far south as the swamplands.

  If Bigfoot is everywhere why has one not been captured or clearly photographed? It could be because they are isolated and reserved.

  “WE ARE HERE.”

  “YOU CALL US MANY NAMES AND HUNT FOR US

  TO SHOW OTHERS PROOF THAT WE EXIST.

  BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR."

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  Chapter One

  On such a beautiful morning, how can anyone expect but such a perfect day? As I woke up I began to make my rounds throughout the house, opening blinds, gathering laundry and such. I grabbed the bacon and my cast iron skillet, and I looked out to see the neighbors mowing and children playing in the streets. I love this time of day and I fill my mind with anxiety to see what the day will bring and how my life will unfold in all of its glory. If only at this moment I had realized my entire life would be different soon.

  “Good morning” I said.

  As the kids all started wandering into the kitchen to see what is cooking.

  Sundays are the best days for family time in our home. The rest of the week was filled with work and my long hours working as an office assistant at the local nursing home. My afternoons were always spent at basketball games and doing homework. And it always made for a long day. Time to relax is definitely hard to come by.

  My husband and I were divorced 4 years ago and in honor of keeping our family as dysfunctional as possible we still live together to raise our two children.

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  Marlie (age 11) and Devon (age 15). I had always felt lucky to have a home, a husband and such happy children. It is such a blessing. Stress sure takes it tolls on marriages and relationships in modern day and I was ready to give up as easily as he was but after rethinking it all we decided it was best to stay in the same house for the kids and for financial reasons.

  I married Dave, right after my 20th birthday. He was the cool guy that played guitar. Which may be why our son Devon is talented in that area? I certainly am not. I stick with crafts and sewing. It is something easy to do in between working and family activities. Marlie plays basketball which is a time consuming sport. The Daily practices and games on weekends do not leave much time for my crafts. So I try to find something quick and easy to soothe my soul.

  Having the clothes in the dryer was a chore marked off of my list for the day. I still had time to get my hair up and sneakers on. I sat down on my little wood bench and tied my laces.

  I glanced over at the edge of the floor and seen some dog hair and realized that it had been a few days since I had swept. It will wait until I get back inside later.

  I have wanted to spend more and more time outside when the weather was nice.

  I recently turned 40 and I have put myself through my own midlife crisis. I tried to quit smoking on several occasions and found walking or exploring gets me out in the fresh air. I currently keep some hidden for rough days. I envy the mothers I see jog by in their cute leggings. They always have layered hair, while my hair looks like a rock star out of the eighties. It’s all good. I may get there and I may not.

  “Dave, I will be back in an hour, I am heading down to the dead end to walk the trail.” I said in my hurried voice, so he does not think I am going to be gone too long.

  Our modern home is in a subdivision with about 70 other homes. It is built on old farmland and it is surrounded by woods and ponds. I am happy to live in the back on the last road because it is a dead end. It actually helps keep the traffic down and it is nice and quiet. We opted for the ranch with one level so all of the bedrooms would be on one floor. It had worked well for us until one of the kids stay up with their music or TV’s blaring through the walls.

  I headed out the front door, checked my flower pots and tomato plants and hit the driveway in my new shoes and baggy sweatpants.

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  It is August and fall will be coming in soon. Missouri fall is unpredictable. It can last through November on a good year without a frost. Some years, the month of September is the latest I can grow any type of plant.

  As I marched down the street, greeting others working in their yards, I regretted that I did not turn on my sprinkler. It is about 70 degrees this morning and with the heat increasing later in the day I would not be in a position to water until after 9pm. Oh well, no need to turn back. It will get done.

  I often take my dog with me when I walk and today was one of those days I had left her behind. She is a wonderful dog. A large black lab named Solstice.

  As beautiful as her name is, she can be quite a handful while waking. She is not really a family dog, she favors me and because of that I provide her with an unlimited amount of treats.

  I was watching a show about dog training that implied that I am her pack leader. I had never become aware of this until watching her actions.

  It is wonderful to me that this dog’s only job in life is to love me. How great the world would be if that was the case with all human beings as well. Never knowing any other emotion but love would be peaceful.

  I started picking up my pace with a slow run. My legs are long and I have always walked fast. I am not in the best of shape but get where I am going. I had seen the edge of the trees getting closer.

  I found myself wishing I would have brought along my insect repellent, I have a great fear of tick bites. The pavement ended and I had made it to the start of the path. The sun was shining through the trees so flawlessly. The fresh scent and breeze was clean and so clear that I literally could not wait until I got home to open my windows that evening to enjoy it more. It is always so nice after the heat dies down later in the day.

  “Good morning”, I said to a passing jogger.

  He was really rolling down the path with such experience. Almost everyone I see has headphones on so greeting them is usually just a wave.

  I tend to be overly friendly, which to me is good, to some not so good. I just want people to know that I am happy and responsive. Some would say weird.

  I love looking up in the trees. There were so many birds out. I pay attention as I have a great love for them.

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  My yard is filled with birdhouses and feeders. I am waiting to lure in a new family of finch that I can watch throughout the year.

  We have Cardinals in our neighborhood but I have not had the luck of having them nest in my area. Life goal. Should I put a hashtag with that statement? I laugh and realize I
think like I am online making a status update.

  One remembrance I had which had always stuck with me was when I was about 10. It was the best memory. I recall I had gone with all of my friends to the woods to explore and make a clubhouse. The woods were always and still were very appealing to me. I often wonder why I have not found the chance to reside in the deep forests that surround most small towns here in my state. I long for a new life in a log cabin someday. One filled with beautiful fireplaces and pine furniture. It would be designed with open rooms and lots of warm rugs and windows. I have a plan in my wish book. I keep it hidden in my craft box for dreaming on rainy days.

  Taking a look around I seen some mulched paths off of the rugged rock trail. I had not walked on most of the pathways. We have lived in this area for two years and I tried to stay on the rock paths for most walks.

  I have no compass and I have seen too many horror films to venture off too far.

  I am going to try a short footpath though because today I am feeling adventurous.

  I am the great explorer of my forest and I am still feeling bad about leaving my dog behind. The shady path is still cool to me and I wish I had something to cover my arms.

  I stumbled through the mulch path observing the crackle of broken twigs and wildlife around me.

  It is absolutely amazing. I had watched a movie about trail walkers that were attacked by a bear. Why didn’t I buy that bear repellent I had seen at the fish bait store? Are there bears in my area? Am I too old to out run one or climb a tree? I should have worn hiking boots. I am always hoping they come back in style for women. In high school we always had those light brown boots with the red laces. It was such a cool feeling to wear construction boots.

  My new shoes are proving to be comfortable and I am happy that I had chosen these. I had almost put them back after the cashier told me that my coupon had expired.

  I am standing now at the intersection of “wow you are completely lost” and “do not go this way”. Hmmm which way do I go? My brain tells me to just turn around. I have only been out here 15 minutes and if I kept walking eventually I would stumble across a farm or something. My big adventure begins.

  I look off to the west and it looks like rain may move in later. I really do not mind a little rain. The smell is soothing and calming to me. I have nothing else to really look forward to today but this great walk so

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  bring it on. I feel the sun leave the tree tops and my shoulders as the clouds move in.

  I decide to not go either way at the end of the path and jump across the little pebble creek.

  Reminds me of the old streams where a speck of gold would glitter and catch your eye. Recreating the dream of being rich and finding the great fortune.

  My collection of rocks has been growing from all of my walks. I usually bring home at least one. I often wonder why I love them so much. I spend a lot of time looking for the sparkly glimmering rocks. I also had an idea to do some rock painting for my garden and looked for some flat rocks that may serve my crafty purpose.

  I should have brought along a bag with me. I found a few stones and set them to the side. I can always pick them up next time. If they are hidden well enough behind that old log I will come back by for my treasures.

  The area seems untouched for quite some time. The trees are standing still without the breeze touching them. I noticed some areas around the trees where deer bed down and also some broken trees. The tree limbs looked like some sort of art display. They were large and heavy. Stacked and some were bowed out. There was also a line of trees that were growing horizontally. Some of the fallen trees were formed like an X.

  Evidence of an old fire pit is still there with some old rusty cans. What a strange little area. Sometimes I had

  seen teenagers head out this way when we had first moved in and it may be a place where they used to hang out on weekend nights to party.

  There was a heavy urine smell. I walked around a large oak and noticed two of the pines had been stripped of their bark. It was strange but interesting to me.

  The pines were also pushed over into the forks of the other trees. I gave my best guess at this must be a previous attempt at building a secret fort or hideout by some kids.

  I may bring my dog out next time to enjoy this walk. She loves the woods. It may be a good thing that she remained home if the clouds produce thunder she would be a bit frightened. She is the most anxious dog I had ever met. She was just a big bundle of nerves.

  Jumping, splashing and leaping. There is nobody here to witness my childish playing. I am my own person. I feel like I am the only one on earth and this is my planet. Laughing and humming a bit I continue on. I am enjoying my new found freedom. My adventure is growing by the moment. I am half tempted to come back to this area and light a fire at night.

  Too bad it is not mushroom season. I think this would be a great spot to pick up a Morel or two. Maybe I will mark it to find this area again someday. I have nothing with me but my clothes. Searching my person I notice that I have this crazy grouping of hemp bracelets on. I loved those hippie strings. I tied one to the branch.

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  Hemp lasts forever so it will blend in and also show me the way back to this area.

  I tied one on a branch and try to use a sparkly rock to carve my name. E M short for Emily. Good enough for now. I always liked Em better anyway. I had always wished for my initials on a tree. Preferably it would be through the old fashioned method of my greatest love stenciling it on. This worked for me and I loved it. Carving into the bark less tree was much easier and did not require a large knife. Just a rock.

  I was walking deeper into the path and I picked up my energy level enough to jump over some downed trees like an Olympic hurdler.

  Hopping and skipping all the way until I fell.

  I was falling through the ground rubbish, through some sticks. This is not my average being clumsy fall. It seems to me that I just fell about 20 feet into some sort of old well. My back is scratched and even though it has happened quickly, I feel like I hit my head.

  After a quick glance I noticed my knuckles were bleeding a bit. It is not too far down and still judging by some episode I seen on the Hunting channel surely this is not really a big deal. I liked the survivor challenge and am angry at myself for not checking the ground strength while jumping around. Sometimes I amaze myself at my judgment calls in life.

  Looking around it seems that it is a circle of rocks all around me. This hole that I have fallen into reminds me of an old well. It has to be.

  I could climb 20 feet to get out if I could actually find something to grab a hold of.

  At least there is no sign of water or rats. That would make my day go downhill really fast. I wish I had my phone. I felt that my photo opportunity for looking up out of this well at those trees would be an amazing profile photo. Bummer.

  I started thinking of ways that would help me to get out of this hole. It seemed to me that nothing could really happen that was too terrible. I was sure there had to be other walkers and runners nearby. They were probably even close enough to hear my screams if I tried.

  I am an anxious person that should have probably been medicated years ago and this may be the one time that makes me regret that decision. As I look up to devise some sort of plan, the light seems to be disappearing. Covered up more and all I see is more darkness. Screaming. “Help, please” I cry. “If someone is there, please come back”.

  I am sobbing and freaking out is my new middle name.

  What is happening? What did I fall into? It is getting darker. Maybe it is just the clouds moving in. Why didn’t I bring my dog or my phone?

  I answer myself, “Because I am only a mile from my house”. Panicking and breathing were in sync.

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  I am literally closer to my house than the local gas station. My thoughts are racing. Breathe. Breathe.

  After I calm myself enough to stop crying and stay hopeful, I sit thinking that I have nothing t
o eat. Why am I always worried about food? What if I am here for a while? I have my water bottle hooked on, but how long will that last? And what about my fear of bugs and spiders? Is this a test? Did I fall into my worst fears test?

  Was there a crazy person that followed me down the path? My thoughts are still running through my mind quickly and my heart is beating so fast I can barely function.

  Was someone up there? NO, the answer is no. I know that no one was following me. I know that this is not a test. It is my bad luck and I have to find a way to get out.