Page 3 of Squatch Out!
More giddy anxiousness hits me as I get closer and closer to my destination, and I dance a little in my seat. I chose the Olympics rather than the more popular forests to the south, where my own sighting took place, because of a run of recent sightings in the area. For months, I researched maps and trails before finally deciding which camp will give us the best chance of seeing an elusive bigfoot.
Being a bigfoot enthusiast can be lonely. Most people don’t want to know that you believe in a magical, make-believe creature. Just like on the plane with Weed Girl, when the subject comes up, my story is nearly always met with skepticism at best and outright disgust at worst.
Smart career women arenotsupposed to believe in fairytales. Or bigfoot.
Which is fine. I’m not out to change anyone’s mind. I know what I saw. Although, it would be nice to end up with some irrefutable proof that what I experienced as a child was real. To be able to prove there really is an entire species of ape-like cryptids wandering the forests and mountains all around the world.
The voice of C-3PO suddenly comes to life through my GPS,“Did you hear that? Your destination is coming up on the right.”
I hit my blinker, preparing to turn off the highway when I notice a sign for Forks. You know, the home of a certain series based on sparkling vampires. Biting down on my bottom lip, I debate keeping straight so I can visit the town that’s been made famous by my favorite books. Because, big surprise, the nerdy bigfoot girl is also Team Edward.
Knowing how close I’d be, one of the first things I did when I booked this trip was check the availability of Bella Swan’s house that’s been made into an Airbnb. Sadly, it was booked out for the entire month, but I’m definitely planning to make a trip to visit it before I have to fly back to Virginia.
With a heavy sigh, I take my exit.
A few minutes later, I’m passing a rustic wooden sign welcoming me to Seli Lake. There isn’t much to the small town other than a general store, a couple bars, gas station, and some fast-food places. C-3PO leads me down the two-lane main street and then around a corner where the main attraction comes into view. The Seli Lake Lodge is the largest building in the whole town and sits on the shore of the lake that gives the town its name.
The missed opportunity to visit Forks is completely forgotten as I pull into the parking lot. Lush green landscaping curls around to the back where the lake softly laps at the shore. The three-story lodge is shingled with cedar siding and trimmed with a coat of unblemished white paint. Behind me, the sinkingsun reflects the red and orange sunset across all the west-facing windows.
“You have arrived!”I cut C-3PO off as I turn off the engine. Then I just sit for a minute, taking in the rustic, yet posh view.
Damn, this place is even nicer than the website claimed.Pushing open my door,I step out into the humid evening. As lovely as this is,I can’t wait to get up into the mountains.
CHAPTER TWO
OLIVIA
TONY: Hey, Liv, we’re HERE!
I’m sitting cross-legged on my plush bed, freshly showered, with my hair wrapped up in a towel that smells strongly of bleach. A huge grin stretches my cheeks as I type back.
ME: Sweet! I’ll be right down.
Nervous energy courses through my body as I give my hair a good scrub with the towel and then do a quick run-through with my fingers before jumping off the bed and heading out into the hall. When I get to the elevator, I remember I’m wearing plaid sleep pants and a t-shirt that announces,I like boys who sparkle.
Shit. My poor taste in pop culture t-shirts is not the first impression I planned to make, but I can’t exactly stop the elevator and go back now. As soon as the doors open to the lobby, I spot Tony. His back is to me, but I’d know him anywhere. He’s standing by a fireplace that’s big enough I could probably stand inside it, if it wasn’t lit and crackling cheerfully.
As if he can feel my eyes on him, he turns around, and a guilty look flickers across his face. It’s there one moment and gone the next, replaced with his familiar wide grin.
He looks just like he always does, wearing his signature black track pants and a matching red and black pullover. He opens his arms wide, his teeth flashing white against the dark scruff that covers his jaw and cheeks, and darts across the lobby toward me.
I meet him halfway with a squeal when he lifts me off my feet to spin me around.
I’m still laughing when he finally sets me back on the ground. “What’s this?” I ask, reaching up to pat the side of his cheek.
“My girlfriend says I look hot with a beard.” Tony rubs at his cheek. I’m pretty sure he’s blushing behind his neatly trimmed whiskers.
“I dunno.” Stepping back, I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at him. He’s not much taller than me, so I can mostly look him in the eye as I examine him. “I think you still look like a punk. How is Carmen? I was really hoping she would come with you so I could finally meet her.”
His smile turns goofy, and my heart floats a little when I realize he is so in love with her. They’ve been dating for almost four years now, and I make a mental note to pester him about why he hasn’t asked her to marry him yet.
Sometimes I wish I could find my person. Someone to share my life with. Who accepts and maybe even embraces my quirks. Someone I can feel the same toward.
“She was out the minute she learned there weren’t five-star amenities.” Tony laughs. “She sends her love though. I know she really wants to finally meet you too.” His dark eyes dart to the side, and his smile falters. “Uh, Liv, there’s something–”
Before he has a chance to finish, Brian strides up to us. My grin is still in place as I turn to him and freeze.
Brian looks exactly the way I’m expecting, having seen him online and talked to him through video chat. He’s tall and dark-skinned with warm brown eyes and long, lean arms and legs. It’s the person behind him who has me stumped because, instead of seeing Ashley coming to stand beside him, there is a strange man.
