Sasquatch Moon: Moon Watcher, #1

By R. Stone

 
It’s the tribal legends of the Coyotes (CYOT) Tribe that holds the key to the question that has intrigued mankind for years, “Do the Sasquatch exist?” As the history of the tribe unfolds they must ask themselves if they can stand against whatever creatures are killing the residents of Chelan Falls and the Reservation.

The gruesome deaths remain unsolved and the victim’s bodies are the only clues that Sheriff Jack Talking-Crow and Deputy Seth Cole have to go on. Who are the blood thirsty creatures responsible? Mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, zombie beasts, a cult and the Sasquatch have all made the headlines!

Solving the killings is Deputy Seth Cole’s priority, that is, if he can stay focused on the investigation. Ever since meeting Sage Running-Bear he can think of nothing else but her and between her, his job, and fighting off his old girlfriend Lauren, he has little time to spare.   

Chief Running-Bear, Sage’s father will do anything to keep her away from Seth, but why? The answers to these questions will surprise you. Be prepared to believe in things that you would normally not believe in as you experience Chelan Falls and its residents in a way you can’t imagine.    
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Mad Writer
• Release date: Dec 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9780692270455

Book preview

Sasquatch Moon

R. Stone

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book whether in hard copy or e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold, copied, or shared electronically. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

The Moon Watcher Series (c) Copyright 2014

Sasquatch Moon

R. Stone

Publisher: The Mad Writer

Editor: Shelly Stone

Cover Artist: Tatiana Vila

Formatted by: Jesse Gordon

ISBN: 13-9780692270455

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in book reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Watch for the Sequel, Half Moon of the Sasquatch coming soon.

Darkness is a blanket of purity that covers the day’s events and sins. It hides what was once visible and prepares the world for a new day, a new beginning. The moon guides us during this transition so powerful it pushes the darkness into the light cleansing all, hiding all and renewing all. This is only the beginning!

R. Stone

DEDICATION: To my children Jeremy and Nicole and my sisters Anita, Renee, Annetta, and Deanna who all brighten my life immensely.

CONTENTS

1. Deputy Seth Cole & Chelan Falls

2. Seth Meets Sage Running-Bear

3. Sheriff Jack Talking-Crow

4. The Sheriff’s Station

5. Seth and Reese

6. Old Man Tanner’s Death

7. Rally Ridge Rock Quarry

8. The Power Plant

9. The CYOT Reservation

10. The Stakeout

11. Clara’s Tribal Meeting

12. Sage’s Tribal Meeting

13. Seth and Sage

14. The Barbeque

15. The Power Plant Again

16. First Date

17. Hanging out at the River

18. Lauren and the Diner

19. Lauren and Mrs. Myers

20. Power Outage in Town

21. Emergency Town Meeting

22. The ISOB (In Search of Bigfoot Crew)

23. Sage Needs Seth’s Help

24. Sage and Her Father

25. Clara needs Seth’s Help

26. Hunting Parties Formed

1

DEPUTY SETH COLE

CHELAN FALLS, WA

I reached over and turned the volume up on my truck radio. The announcer continued - Another body has been found in the canyons, this brings the death toll to forty three. The attacks have spread throughout the State of Washington at an unbelievable rate and the police are now considering the possibility that a cult might be responsible for the killings.

The announcer hadn’t exaggerated, I thought. Four deaths had occurred in Chelan Falls in the last two months and I wondered what my new boss, Sheriff Jack Talking-Crow planned to do about it? My thoughts were interrupted when my cell phone rang. I picked it up, Hey bro.

Hey Seth, its Trent what’s up?

Not much, just driving into town, how’s college treating you down in Olympia?

It’s pretty wild, you should have come?

Nope, I am good. I just got back from Seattle, I finished police academy and I am now officially the Deputy Sheriff of Chelan Falls.

Sweet, did you see Reese while you were in Seattle?

I visited with him once. He’s loving college there.

Seth, I still can’t believe that you didn’t want to leave Chelan Falls after graduating?

I laughed. No way dude, I love it here we are so far North that you can almost see Canada.

Trent sighed. Yes and there is nothing to do there.

That’s not true we’ve got Chelan Lake, Chelan State Park, the National Recreational Area and the Ice Caverns.

Trent laughed. That’s my point man, there’s nothing to do up there. The town is surrounded by forest and canyons on three sides. Man its beyond remote! I couldn’t wait to graduate high school and leave.

I like it here it’s a quiet little town.

Trent’s voice took on a serious tone. That’s not how the media is describing it.

Yes, the attacks, we’ve had four deaths in the last couple of months. The media blamed a pack of wolves, coyotes then mountain lions, but when the attacks spread throughout the State they started blaming some unknown cult.

My parents told me about that, do you know what else they said?

What?

That a lot of people in town are blaming the Sasquatch.

Are you serious Trent? I haven’t heard that one yet.

We’ve always had a lot of Sasquatch sightings in Chelan Falls.

Yes we have. I glanced at my speedometer then slowed down. Trent, I heard you bought a new truck?

Yes I bought a Dodge. How’s your truck holding up?

My 1978 Ford is old but it will run forever. I recalled the first time I saw my truck, it was a wreck. Remember when my dad first brought it home?

Trent laughed. Yes, it wasn’t running and it took all of us the entire summer to re-build the engine, install the lift kit and paint it black. So how’s your dad doing?

I sighed. Not so good, he’s in the Meadows Nursing Home.

Trent’s voice became sympathetic. Sorry, man, you know I love him, he’s like a father to me. If there’s anything I can do to help Seth please let me know. I better get going I have to get back to class, take it easy.

Later. I tossed my cell down on the seat of my truck then reached over and changed the channel on the radio to one of my favorite stations KXGBY. I heard the voice of Melvin Rinks on the radio. Good Morning Chelan Falls, the high for today should be right around 70 degrees with a chance of rain. I saw Kevin’s gas station up ahead and pulled off the highway and up to the pumps of the small white brick building. Kevin walked out of the station and up to the gas pumps. He was a lean built, middle aged, dark haired man with round dark eyes. He stopped at my window and I rolled it down.

Hey Seth, what’ll it be?

Top it off Kevin.

Kevin walked to the rear of the truck and began pumping the gas. So how are you doing Seth? I heard you finished your police training down in Seattle.

Yep, just finished it, I am now officially the Deputy Sheriff of Chelan Falls, on Monday morning that is.

Kevin chuckled. Right on. So you think you’ll manage ok, working for Sheriff Jack?

I won’t have a problem working for him. I didn’t want to tell him my concerns about working for Sheriff Jack Talking-Crow. Most everyone considered him a good Sheriff, he got the job done one way or another but it was the one way or another that worried me.

Kevin finished pumping the gas and hung the handle up and walked back to my window. That’ll be eighteen dollars.

I handed him a twenty dollar bill. Thanks Kevin, keep the change.

Kevin pointed to the corner of the building. Hey Seth, would you mind giving me a hand moving a heavy crate? It will just take a minute.

Sure Kevin. I jumped out of my truck and followed him around the side of the building.

Kevin stopped next to a mid-sized wooden crate, he looked over at me. Dam boy, I haven’t seen you in a while, you’ve been lifting weights and what the heck have you been eating? Looks like a side of beef. How tall are you now?

Six-foot-three and I was power lifting the entire time I was in police academy.

Kevin shook his head sideways. You must be a hit with the girls, the dark hair and dark eyes and built like a pro football player.

I laughed. It’s the Native American in me. We moved the crate into the garage.

Thanks Seth, I appreciate the help.

No problem Kevin, see you later. I walked back to my truck and got in and pulled out onto the highway. I resumed my direction toward town. I reached over to change the radio station and just as I did something ran across the road, right in front of my truck. I slammed on the brakes and my truck went into a spiraling spin. I gripped the steering wheel powerless to do anything except count the number of spins and by the time I counted to three it stopped moving. I looked around and was grateful that I was still on the highway and not in the trees. What the heck was that? I thought then recalled what I had seen. It was large and covered in fur, a grizzly bear I concluded. I got out of my truck and walked to the edge of the road and looked into the trees but didn’t see or hear anything. I walked around my truck to check for damage but found none, I was glad. If I had hit it, my truck would have been totaled. I climbed back in my truck, started it up and drove into town. First, I pulled into the bank and went thru the drive-thru, then drove to the post office and put some envelopes in the outside mail box. My stomach growled and reminded me that it was time for lunch. I drove to Andy’s Diner", a small one story wooden building that sat on the East side of town. I parked, got out of my truck and walked to the door.

Andy, the owner stood outside cleaning the windows. He was in his fifties with piercing dark blue eyes and grey hair. He turned to greet me. Hello Seth, how are you doing?

Good Andy, how about you?

I am doing great. I heard about your new job, Deputy Sheriff Congratulations.

I glanced across the street at the Sheriff’s station where I would be working next week then looked back at Andy. Thanks Andy, Police Academy was a killer.

Andy smiled at me. Mindy is working today, she will be happy to see you.

I reflected privately, Prepare to be annoyed. I forced a smile at Andy, Great, I haven’t seen her in a while. I walked inside the diner and found a booth and sat down.

Mindy walked up to my booth. Hi Seth, how are you doing?

I looked up at her. She was short and stocky with broad shoulders and narrow hips and her boyish haircut did nothing for her double chinned face. I am doing alright. It isn’t as busy as I expected it to be.

Mindy sighed. You just missed the crowd. The countertop and all twelve booths were packed. Andy wants to expand in the near future.

That would be great, this place is always crowded.

So Seth, how is your dad doing?

I wished she hadn’t asked me that, everyone knew that my dad was terminally ill with cancer. Not too good Mindy, he is in the Meadows Nursing Home.

She sighed. Oh, I am sorry I didn’t know that. I thought you were still caring for him at home.

I was but he went into the nursing home when I left for Police Academy, they don’t give him much longer, his cancer is pretty bad.

She reached out and touched my shoulder with her hand. Oh I am so sorry Seth I know it’s been hard on you. She withdrew her hand.

I looked away from her briefly. I am managing ok. I hadn’t been completely honest with her it had been hard, first mom, in the car accident when I was eight and now dad. I swallowed hard and changed the subject. How have you been doing Mindy?

She smiled at me. I am good, what can I get you to eat?

Give me the number 3.

Mindy laughed. You always order the number 3, a cheeseburger and fries. I don’t know why I even bother to ask you.

I laughed. True that.

So Seth, have you heard from Lauren, since we graduated?

My smiled faded. Do we have to talk about Lauren?

Really Seth, you two dated all through high school, why shouldn’t I ask?

Because we broke up, actually we broke up before graduation, remember?

Of course I remember, but we all thought that you two would get back together and get married like you planned.

I rolled my eyes at her. That’s because Lauren told you all that, I never actually proposed to her.

Oh I didn’t know that.

I wasn’t about to tell Mindy that Lauren called me every day and wouldn’t leave me alone, if I did Mindy would translate that into, Seth and Lauren are talking about getting back together and it would be all over town by morning. I shot her a sympathetic look. I really don’t want to talk about it ok?

Ok Seth, I will get your order going. She turned and walked away.

Thanks Mindy. The TV in the dinner was on and a local news flash caught my attention. The volume was too low to hear, so I got up from my booth and walked over to the TV and turned it up. I stood there for a moment listening as the reporter spoke.

Yesterday in the Canyons, near Cross Bow Bends two local fisherman reported seeing what they believe to be a Sasquatch, and with that the camera switched to the two fisherman and the reporter on scene.

The reporter on scene spoke, I am here with Jeff Cane and Bill Stark at Cross Bow Bends. He held the microphone in position for one of the men to speak. I am Jeff Cane and this is my buddy Bill Stark, I was standing right here, where I am now on the bank of the river and had my pole in the water and Bill stood there, a few feet away. All of a sudden we heard a loud roaring noise and we both looked across the river and saw it, a Sasquatch, just as plain as day. It was huge and just stood there looking at us, Bill grabbed his cell phone and recorded it on video, but it’s not a really good recording, it was too far away from us. The reporter held the microphone so that the Bill could speak.

I got the recording on my phone, but like Jeff said, it‘s not very good, it looks like a huge dark spot, as it moves - but you can definitely see it moving.

The interview with the two men ended and the camera flashed back to the studio.

I returned to my seat. I thought about what it might have been that I almost hit earlier on the highway and wondered for just a brief moment then caught myself. I laughed. Nope just a grizzly, I thought. I didn’t believe in the Sasquatch.

Mindy returned with my food and set my plate down. So what about that broadcast? I mean do you really think those guys saw a Sasquatch?

I looked up at her and smiled and knew that as a Deputy Sheriff I would have to deal with issues like this. I don’t think so Mindy.

Mindy looked at me curiously. But you watch all those TV shows about the Sasquatch?

She had me there. Yes I do and my favorite is ISOB, In Search of Bigfoot, it’s on every Thursday night.

She laughed. Then why do you watch them if you don’t believe in them?

Just for the entertainment, I said.

Mindy put her hand on her hip. Well something is out there. Do know how many animals have gone missing around here?

Yes I’ve heard what’s going on.

Well, what’s taking them? Animals from in town and out of town have gone missing or have been killed. Bob Wilson said one of his cows is missing.

I hadn’t heard about that. The last incident I heard about was out at Minnie Hansen’s ranch, her dog disappeared.

Mindy nodded her head. Yes and Minnie said that she saw a Sasquatch just before her dog disappeared.

This conversation was going no where. I had better eat my food before it gets cold.

Alright Seth, enjoy. She walked away.

I began eating then looked up and wished I hadn’t, it was Lauren. Great, Mindy must have called her, I thought. She walked toward my booth, her bright blue eyes fixed directly on me and her long blonde hair swaying from side to side as she bounced like a little girl. I wondered what I had ever seen in her. In high school we seemed like such a natural paring, she the captain of the cheerleading team and I the captain of the football team, but we grew apart, or I should say I grew and she didn’t.

She stopped at my booth. Hi Seth mind if I sit down with you?

I didn’t look up at her and started to eat as fast as I could. I am just about done Lauren.

She sat down anyway. It doesn’t look like you are almost done. How have you been Seth?

I am Good. I didn’t ask how she was doing in the hopes of avoiding a conversation with her but my tactic hadn’t worked.

Lauren sighed. Well I am not so good, I miss you allot.

I looked across the table and the look on her face was priceless, The feel sorry for me look which laid the foundation for the guilt trip she was about to lay on me. It shouldn’t bother me but it did and I blamed myself because we had been intimate, it was definitely was a mistake. Lauren, you know I feel. We’ve talked about this a hundred times.

She half smiled at me. Yes but I still don’t understand why you broke up with me, I mean you told me you loved me.

She had a point and I wished that I had never said the words. Lauren, if I didn’t say it you got mad at me, remember?

Her smiled faded, You shouldn’t have said it if you didn’t really mean it.

You know Lauren, I am starting my new job on Monday and I really need you not to call my cell so much, as a matter of fact, why call at all?

She looked as if I had stuck a dagger through her heart, she gasped. Seth, I can’t believe you said that to me?

I had finished eating. Sorry, but that’s how I feel. I stood up to leave and threw a ten dollar bill on the table then walked out of the dinner.

As I drove home I needed to get Lauren off my brain so I forced myself to think about the news cast that I had watched at the diner. Watching the broadcasts are probably what started my bad dreams, I told myself. I recalled the dream that I had been having for the last two weeks...I am alone in the woods, it’s dark and the moon lights my surroundings. I am standing by a river and I look into it and see my reflection. I hear coyotes howling then right before my eyes in the water my image starts to change and I wake up.

My cell rang. I picked it up and recognized the number it was the nursing home where dad was, Hello.

Seth it’s Amy, it’s your dad, you better get over here quick he’s not doing so well right now and he’s asking for you.

I am on my way. I tossed my phone on the seat and turned my truck around and headed back to town. I pulled into the parking lot of the nursing home, parked, jumped out of my truck and ran inside, but before I got to dad’s room Amy, dad’s nurse, a stout woman with blonde hair stepped in my path.

Seth he’s calmed down now and is resting.

I ran into his room and to his bedside. He looked so frail and weak and his hair had turned gray the last year from being sick. Dad, I am here.

Seth, son, I need to talk to you.

I grabbed his hand and held it. It’s ok dad, just rest we can talk later.

No, it can’t wait any longer, son, listen. I know I don’t have much time left. I am sorry son, just listen, you have to hear this.

What is it dad?

It’s about your adoption papers.

Yes.

I am sorry son.

What do you mean?

You know your mom and I couldn’t have kids, we told you that right?

He wasn’t making sense, Yes dad I know.

He faded out briefly then spoke again.

Mark and I used to work up at Rally Ridge Rock Quarry.

He wasn’t making sense – he continued speaking.

We had just finished out the morning, working and were taking lunch when we heard some noise down by the river...

I watched while he paused, he was out of breath. I knew that he was talking about Mark Mitchell, his lifelong friend.

He caught his breath and continued talking. Well, we heard some noises down at the river and Mark grabbed his rifle and we walked down the trail to the river, as we neared it, we saw them. He paused again.

Saw who dad?

Them, we saw two Bigfoot, they were just standing there and before I knew what happened Mark fired his rifle a couple of times and shot them dead. We walked closer to the river and they lay dead on the ground.

He paused and faded out for a moment, then tried to speak again, Seth.

He looked so weak and his breathing was shallow, he faded out again. The TV was on in his room I looked at it, and saw an announcer from a local news channel reporting yet another Sasquatch sighting that occurred earlier today. Dad must have been watching the news, I thought. I looked down at him he had slipped back into unconsciousness. When he slept he didn’t feel pain so I didn’t wake him. Amy walked in and I looked over at her. He is sleeping now.

Amy looked down at dad then back at me, He had a bad day today.

Call me if he asks for me again. I better get going.

Amy smiled at me. I will Seth, take care.

I walked out of the nursing home, got in my truck and began driving. As I drove I thought about what it was that dad was trying to tell me, whatever it was had upset him. I knew that Mark Mitchell had never shot a Sasquatch, let alone two of them if he had it would have made the world wide news or at least the news in Chelan Falls. Why had he started talking about my adoption? I wondered. Everyone knew that I was adopted. I recalled that dad’s doctors had told me to expect odd behavior at times because of his brain cancer, so I assumed that this is what they meant. I pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the white two story garage and got out of my truck. I walked up to the two-story, three bedroom house that I called home this, was where all my memories of my mom and dad were. I walked in the back door to the kitchen and tossed my keys onto the kitchen counter then walked into the living room. I glanced at the graduation picture of Trent, Reese, and myself sitting on the fireplace mantle, my best friends since kindergarten, they both left for college and I stayed behind, I missed them. I kicked off my boots, tossed my cell phone on the coffee table then walked back to the kitchen and took a frozen pizza out of the freezer - I opened it up and put it into the oven. I went upstairs to the bathroom, jumped in and out of the shower then put on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt. I went back downstairs to the kitchen, took the pizza out of the oven, cut it into slices and carried the pizza tray into the living room and sat down to eat. When I finished eating I stretched out on the couch. I always ended my day with a meditation, I need to be strong for dad. It helped me to relax. It worked and in a matter of minuets I felt myself dozing off. I was there again in the forest, it was dark and the moon lit my surroundings. I stood by the river but something is different, I knew that I was dreaming in my dream. I looked down in the water, but the image wasn’t mine, it’s the image of an Indian woman, then the howling began.

I felt myself instantly bolt upright as if I had received an electrical shock, I was breathing hard and sweat poured off me. That stupid dream, I said out loud. I wiped the sweat from my forehead then lay back down - it took a while to fall back asleep.

* * *

I woke up and glanced at my wrist watch, it was after eleven. I lay on the couch mentally going over my plans for today, it was Saturday and I needed to pay some bills. It was on days like this that I wondered how dad had done it all, he had worked hard and took care of everything and still found time to spend with me, he never missed a football game or school event. I meditated, I have to be strong for dad. I got up from the couch and went upstairs, got dressed then went downstairs to the kitchen. I grabbed my keys from the counter, walked outside and got in my truck and drove into town. My first stop was at the bank to make a deposit. The joys of living in a small town, I reminded myself. Next I pulled into Earl’s Shop Mart or The Mart as it was called and parked, here I could pay the electric bill, another advantage of small town living. I got out of my truck and walked inside. Earl McGuinnes, the owner stood behind the counter, he was in his fifties, of average height, with dark hair, beady round eyes and a pointed nose. He was a long time friend of my dad.

Hello, Seth, how are you doing?

Ok Earl, how about you? I said and walked up to the counter.

Good. Say how’s your dad doing?

I tried not to let it bother me when everyone asked about dad, they cared about him. Well, Earl, not too good, the doctors don’t give him too much longer.

Sorry, now you let me know if you need help with anything, you hear?

I will thanks. I handed Earl the electric bill and a check.

Lots of folks have been asking about him and we are here to help you Seth.

I know Earl, tell them all thanks. Everyone has been great but I am doing ok. I lied again but couldn’t help it, I was just too proud to let them know how hard it had been.

So Seth, you will be working for Sheriff Talking-Crow that should be interesting?

I was beginning to realize that Sheriff Jack Talking-Crow had more of a reputation around town than I had realized. Yes Earl, I am actually pretty psyched about it.

Earl smiled at me. Deputies Dave Brooks and Jason Wilson have been with Sheriff Jack for a few years now and they seem to be doing ok so I am sure you will do just fine.

Earl handed me my receipt. Well, Earl nice talking to you, see you later.

Goodbye Seth.

I walked outside, it was raining. I got in my truck and drove to the post office and put some envelopes in the outside drop box then began driving home. I needed to chill out and get myself mentally ready for my first day of work on Monday. I needed a change of pace, something to take my mind off things and keep me focused and I hoped that when I started work that I would sleep better and the dreams would stop. I pulled up to the house, parked, got out of my truck, walked in the house and into the living room. I kicked off my boots and threw myself onto the couch. I thought about the story that dad had told me - the rock quarry had been closed for many years so whatever dad was trying to tell me would have happened a long time ago. His story didn’t make sense and the only thing that did make sense was that he had listened to the news about the Sasquatch sightings and sub-consciously formed the story in his head. I couldn’t shake the look on his face he looked so desperate - like he wanted me to believe him. Dad’s friend Mark Mitchell owned a ranch just outside of town so I thought maybe some time later that I would ask him about it. I felt myself dozing off.

2

SETH MEETS SAGE

I awoke to the sound of my cell phone ringing I reached for it and picked it up. Hello.

Dude, what’s up?

Hey Reese, give me a second will you? I just woke up.

Dude its noon.

I sat up. Are you serious I must have been zonked out.

What have you been up to Seth?

Not much. I talked with Trent yesterday.

Reese laughed. How’s he doing in Olympia?

He’s good, he asked about you and I told him that you are loving, college in Seattle.

You got that right it beats Chelan Falls, any day.

I laughed. Not you too, Trent said the same thing.

So what do you have planed for today?

Not much I start my new job tomorrow you’re talking to the new Deputy Sheriff of Chelan Falls.

Cool. Hey, I am coming home from school, next weekend, can I stay with you?

For sure dude.

"Hey, how’s your dad doing?

I sighed. Not good Reese, he doesn’t have much longer.

I am sorry you know I love him. Hey I will call you when I get into town next Friday. I am going to swing by my parent’s house and say hello then I’ll be over.

I swung my legs out of bed and sat up on the edge of it. Alright sounds good. Hey Reese have you been following any of our local news?

No why?

Do you know how many deaths we have had in town?

No how many? Reese asked me curiously.

The count is up to four and we’ve had a ton of Sasquatch sightings, like twelve in the last month.

Reese sounded surprised. Are you serious?

"Yes, it’s getting freaky. Two, of the four people who were killed were tourists and