21. i couldn’t tell what it was at first

I couldn’t tell what it was at first. One of those things your mind does to you. You know when you first look at something and your mind makes the wrong connection. Like that classic drawing of an old lady with a big nose but you really see an elegant lady with her face turned away. It was like that. Though I had no idea what my mind processed it to be. Just something moving at first. Camouflaged by distance and confusion among the backdrop of trees. A tall brown mass slowly moving towards us. Soon as I noticed the arms, my mind clicked. It went down a checklist. Tall human figure. About seven feet tall. Long brown hair hanging all over it’s body. Walking in kind of a slouched position. I’ve seen this on TV. Everyone’s heard of him at one point or another. My mouth was paralyzed. But when it spoke, it spoke what other people wouldn’t normally think it was.

“Chewbacca?”

Don’t think Joanne heard me, or if she did, she didn’t care about my idiotic response.

In any case, we were both frozen. Not by fear. Just in awe. Good thing Bigfoot was friendly. He would have problem getting a hold of us two. Even when he stopped within ten feet of us, we just sat there. Mouth gaping. Wondering what the hell we were suppose to do.

He faced me. Trying hard not to frighten me. He raised his hand. Slowly. Palm out. The hairless skin of the underside showed he was human underneath that carpet. Yet his hairy face still looked ape or caveman like. Still. Nothing about him but his shear size portrayed anything menacing. Still, when he spoke I couldn’t help but jump.

“Hi.”

I blinked. He’s speaking. English.

He looked over at Joanne.

“Hello.”

From what I could tell, Joanne was trying to respond. Her head was swaying back and forth. Kinda like a shake, definitely not a nod. Words look liked they were coming out of her mouth the way her lips kept moving. But no sound. And her eyes, wide-opened, kept blinking in rapid random successions.

“You’re friend is hurt.”

Thomas barely paid attention to anything.

“He needs food and rest.”

Realizing Joanne was no help, he turned to me.

“Everyone must come to my dwelling. It may not be safe out here. The smell of blood travels endlessly.”

I simply nod and go over to Thomas. Best I carried him. If Thomas came to and saw who was carrying him. His wound would probably burst right open. Even I’m still in shock. And my version of shock really sucks. I’d rather be like Joanne, a paralyzed being, unable to move or speak, than a easily suggestible soul obeying everything he hears. If this giant told me to dance I would. Where the hell is my fight or flee response. Totally out the door. But this situation isn’t a fearful one. Guess it’s more of an astonishing situation.

With one arm over my shoulder, I look at Joanne. Her mind is stalled like Microsoft Windows, not able to do one simple task, because its whole mind is trying to make sense of things. Hopeless. I shift most of Thomas’ weight onto myself. I had hope she’d take the other side.

He turned and walked down the path.

Thank God. If he walked up I would of died. Who knows. Maybe that option still exists. I’m putting my trust into this big hairy monster. He’s probably part of the wolf pack or the wild bears. Gets a cut of the killings by retrieving us. Alive and fresh. That’s usually the best tasting meats when we used to eat. USDA Prime. Freshly cut and prepared to a savory medium rare. Enough to taste the juices as you bite in. Oh man, I was making myself hungry. The image of that blood soaked rabbit flashed through my mind. Normally that would gross me out, but being as hungry as I was, I actually imagined the taste. This was horrible. Only been several hours since my meal. Not quite dinner time either and I feel this way.

“You are hungry.”

He had walked several yards down the path already. Was my stomach growling?

“Stay away from the meat. Meats are tainted.”

I knew that. We all knew that. Maybe not him. Living in the woods like this. Cut off from civilization. No television or newspapers telling him about the strange things happening. He had to have tasted it. Knew something was wrong. Kinda like how I tasted it. That taste. It was different. But I never thought it was bad. Just knew it was different.

“Bigfoot.”

The words broke through. Joanne was using her outdoor voice.

Bigfoot gave a slight salute. His back was still turned, walking down the path.

“Yes. I have been referred to by that name.”