Page 48 of Big Daddy Sheriff

“Sorry, man,” Quinn said. “I thought I could spend the night apart from her. But after talking to the guys at the firehouse…”

“Hey, it’s no big deal, brother,” Theo said. “And you’re always welcome here. You know that. I’m just glad you called instead of staying up stewing over this all night. Come on. They’re watching scary movies back in the den. I bet Little Alyssa will be glad to see you.”

They went down the hall to the den, where they could hear the TV on even before walking in. The Littles stepped around the corner to see images of a woman being chased by a werewolf flickering on the screen.

“They’re already asleep,” Theo said, looking from the covered lumps on the floor to his friend.

But Quinn stepped deeper into the room, shaking his head.

“They’re not asleep,” he said, not bothering to keep his voice low. He bent down and pulled a blanket back, revealing three pillows that had been arranged in a line. “They snuck out!”

“Ah, shit!” Theo grumbled. “I’ll get dressed.”

Quinn nodded.

The hunt was on.

“Uh, guys, what was that?” Alyssa asked.

She was trying to stay brave for Belinda, fully engaged in her role of big sis to the younger Little, but it was awfully dark in those woods. And there were noises. Lots and lots of noises.

The flashlights were bright, but the darkness was so strong that the LED beams couldn’t really compete with it.

“It sounded like a growl,” Mindy whispered.

“That brings up a good question,” Janie stated with a frown.

The women walked a few more paces, their feet crunching on the leaves and twigs that littered the forest floor.

“What do we do if we actually find Bigfoot?” she continued.

“We take his picture,” Grace declared.

“Then what?” Janie asked.

“Run!” Grace cried.

“We just take his picture and run?” Janie asked.

“No. Run! Now! It’s… him!” Grace yelled.

The women froze in terror as their flashlight beams landed on a hulking, hairy form that was stalking toward them.

Belinda screamed first, her pacifier falling into the dirt as she opened her mouth wide. The other women followed, and soon the quiet night was split by blood-curdling cries of terror.

The beast reared up on two legs, threw its head back, and let out a ferocious roar. Through it all, Alyssa had the wherewithal to hold up her phone and snap a few pics, though she wondered if it was the last thing she’d ever do.

Just when the women thought they were goners, two strong voices called out. “Get out of here! Go on. Get!”

Quinn and Theo appeared through the trees, waving their arms and making as much noise as possible.

The creature hurriedly got on all fours and scurried the opposite direction, disappearing into the darkness.

“Oh my gosh! Bigfoot almost killed us!” Alyssa cried.

“No. You came upon a black bear,” Quinn said. “He was more afraid of you then you were of him.”

“That, uh, wasn’t Bigfoot?” Alyssa asked meekly.

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