Berillas and Einblesleys

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 larger 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.