The Earthling: The Apeling Series Book 5

By Tony Deen Yetter

The Earthling continues the extraordinary tale of Randy, a boy raised by a mysterious North American primate clan after a tragic plane crash. Now adapting to two worlds the wild and the human Randy must navigate identity, loyalty, and survival. As the truth about

• Language: English
• Publisher: Audiobook Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 13, 2025
• ISBN: 9798868942877

Tony Deen Yetter

I am a hemorrhagic stroke survivor\who has typed all forty-plus books one-handed. I have mastered three instruments: guitar, six-string banjo and five-string banjo. though I am capable of playing bluegrass. my love is playing improvisational jazz I am a poly-phasic sleeper who writes ten plus hours per day. I am single and a proud grandfather of one. These were written for my mother(97) who passed away but not before being read all five Apeling titles. I am a veteran and an Eagle scout.

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Book 5 of The Apeling Series

The Earthling

By

Tony Deen Yetter

Copyright © 2025 Tony Deen Yetter

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations of the authors or editor.

Although the authors and editor have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the authors and editor do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Chapter Twenty Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

The late September snow turned into an October slush, and then the weather turned to rain. Though not every day, the weather did turn milder, and the clan was happily back living in the hill house, the secluded shelter made by William Ruggles, owner of the land, and built specifically for these special neighbors. This was Randy’s surrogate family or clan. Raised by them, he was now a clan member, but he had Irene Ruggles, too. Granddaughter of Will and Jane Ruggles, she was now teaching him complex English and was now his mate, in the clan’s eyes anyway.

Randall Scott Walker, the sole survivor of a fatal plane crash that killed his folks a dozen years earlier, high in the Colorado wilderness, was found then raised by a clan of the North American primate or sasquatch. It was this clan who moved into the hill house. Randy still stayed with them, though he had a treehouse next to the Ruggles’ house, which was built to house him a little more organically.

His family, or clan, was led by Randy’s younger brother and best friend. Now, he is the alpha of the group, all eight feet and 800 lbs. There, too, was his elder brother, who had just recently returned to the clan. The alpha mate with a brand new apeling daughter and Randy’s beloved parents.

But tonight, he was not with Irene back at the Ruggles’ home, but rather out chasing down dinner. The females were out trying to find anything still edible while the father stayed at the hill house. While the females gleaned within the fenced acreage, Randy and his older brother went over the fence and then north 10-12 miles to harvest farther from home. They did not want to deplete the local prey.

As usual, Randy ran behind his brother through the slushy forest. He was a bit slower in Steve’s boots. He fell several times when the unfamiliar footwear tripped over something or other.  Hearing him fall, his brother would chortle, making him get back up and laugh.

The dozen or so miles went quickly, and soon, his brother was set up for an ambush while Randy waited long enough that the sun now lit the game trail. He started all-out running, sheathed knife thumping on his chest, and heard the game crashing ahead of him, each running toward the hidden brother. A bound and a bleat, then one would make the sacrifice to feed the clan.

Only one was harvested, and they headed back with the older brother carrying the deer. Suddenly, his brother took several huffs of air and then hurried off the trail. Randy was at a loss, then heard:

Would you just look at that? It's huge. Said an excited voice from the trail in front of him.

Yeah, Darrell, it looks perfect! Said another Second Person, just up ahead.

Randy knelt down, hidden for a moment, and then got curious as he listened, though he made no sense of what was being said. So he stood up and walked forward until he was approaching the two apparent hikers, kneeling down and looking at something. They looked up as Randy approached.

Careful! Don't step on it! said one.

Yeah, it’s a really good track, admired Darrell.

Randy stopped and looked at the ground. It was his brother's large footprint. It was white, though.

Pardon his manners, smiled Darrell.Hank, be nice. I’m Darrell, and there’s Hank.

Randy smiled.

What’s your name? Asked Darrell.

Randy, he answered.

Hello, Randy, smiled Hank, looking up at him. Ever see a squatch?

Randy shrugged.

Have you seen one? Hank asked again.

Randy only knew the word one, so he said two.

Two! Exclaimed Darrell

Three! said Randy, thinking they were playing a counting game.Four! He said again,

For the study, Randy. It looks like this is almost ready. He picked up the cast and broke the slag off the sides. See Randy, a squatch print, smiled Hank.

Randy touched the cold plaster and smiled. He could smell his brother close by, so he said, "Randy. Go’ and gestured at the forest.

Okay, smiled Darrell, nice meeting you.

Randy smiled, went around them, and disappeared into the forest.

Wow, three! We’ve never even seen one! exclaimed Hank

He doesn’t know how lucky he is! Darrel said, Let’s go the way he came.

Randy went towards his brother and met up with him.

I, me, Second People! said Randy.

His brother nodded, hoisted the dead doe onto his shoulders, and then they resumed their trek home.

They went a little more carefully and were soon at the service road surrounding the Ruggles’ compound.

It was quiet, and they crossed the fence there, then went on back to the hill house. Everyone was there, and it wasn't long before the deer was dinner. The females had gathered what they could, and soon, they were all satiated.

The alpha's gunshot wound was healing, but it was still extremely sore. They kept it wrapped. Randy had brought all the now clean, green wool blankets back to them.

It was now midmorning, and they all went into the dark hill house to sleep, except for the alpha, who stood watch over them.

CHAPTER TWO

There was excitement in the Ruggles’ house. They were going to have guests today. They had not had visitors for a long time. Ever since Randy came. Only Steven had been allowed access. But today, security had been notified, and their guests were due in a couple of hours. Kids had been fed and were now outside in the snow-melting sun of October.

Yesterday, Randy spent it with his clan and went hunting for them. Today, he was expected to be at his place with the Ruggles. Today was school, and Randy loved it. Today, they would also do some still camera shots for release to the local magazine. These were for a follow-up story on Randy’s progress. But today was special. He was to have a special visitor. He was aware something was going on, but didn’t quite understand what. He came early and sat at the old, green, snow-covered picnic table and waited. The kids soon ran out the back door, and Russell saw them sitting there.

Randy! He said excitedly, Come on…

Randy, smiling, stood up and waved at Ronald and Margaret. Irene and Russell’s younger brother and sister. The kids were going to the log playhouse, but Russell took Randy to the filming tent, the top of which had been swept of snow. Irene was walking out of the back door with her grandfather, Will. She smiled at Randy, and the two of them came over to the tent as well. Steven and Jane waited for the security's phone call announcing their guests' arrival.

They went on in the tent, then went to the conference table and chairs, where they sat down. Irene turned the computer and satellite monitor on.

Randy, please help me, smiled Will. They went over to the locked utility shed and pulled out the camera and chassis. They carried both to the tent, where Will set it all up. Irene and Russell helped. The heater was on, and it soon would be warm.

Randy was dirty from the hunt with his brother, and Irene wanted him to wash up and then change into camo pants. He removed the ranger's coat, shivered lightly, and smiled.

Renie, said Will, let’s shoot this raw. We have a lot of clean shots.

Well…, okay, smiled Irene.

Will had him stand next to the green tent wall and got ready while Irene fixed Randy’s hair. Russell stood back to watch his grandpa.

William snapped a dozen shots, and then, as they finished up, they heard Jane from the back stoop, Will, they're coming up the driveway.

Thank you, Janie, he yelled back, then glanced at Irene. He went to meet the guests at the front of the house.

Irene and the other two stayed there, waiting. Meanwhile, Jane came out to join them, leaving Steve to listen for the phone.

Randy was beyond curious, and Irene, giggling now, wouldn’t let him leave. Wait! Randy!

Several more minutes went by, and then they heard the tinkling of bells approach. Will opened the tent flap, and behind him was a Second People unlike any Randy had ever seen. The man ducked and entered, and he was breathtaking.

Randy gasped, for standing in front of him, in full regalia, stood retired Head Ranger Vernon Gray Eagle, from the magnificent black and white eagle feather war bonnet with its ermine skins and ribbons down each side and with a beaded browband. He wore his full buckskin war shirt with beads down each sleeve and his leggings with beaded side flaps. There were bells around his ankles, over the beaded pair of moccasins. He was holding a black and white eagle feather. He also held a braided cord of some kind in his other hand. From his beaded belt hung his knife and pipe pouch, with another, smaller pouch as well. Behind him came Amy, and she was holding something.

Randy, this is Vernon Gray Eagle, introduced Will.

Ahem, said Amy.

Oh yes, our friend Amy, smiled