The campfire was burning low now and only a slight glow lit the faces of the three researchers. John Lynn McBride lay prone on his bedroll outside the circle of light, allowing the other men a chance to decide what part, if any, they would play in the ambush he had planned for the sasquatch clan. The tension was thick in the chill night air.

Levi broke the silence voicing their dilemma. “We’ve strived to legitimize this animal that others believe is mythical for a long time now. We’ve all had our share of ridicule and proving the existence of this species would mean complete vindication. If you had asked any of us a week ago if we’d willingly participate in killing a sasquatch, I don’t think one of us would have answered yes.” He paused and took a deep breath. “We’ve all shared the view that it would be morally wrong to kill a sasquatch to prove its existence, but I don’t think we can ignore the fact that we face a unique situation. John has his mind set to do violence against these creatures and it could end up taking the lives of many of them. Judging by his character, I think he’ll be at least partially successful in his plan. I don’t think there is anything we can do to stop that, short of killing him.”

Rusty sat up straight at Levi’s last statement. This subtle body language did not escape Levi’s attention. He looked Rusty in the eye and shook his head no.

“We truly have two choices in this matter, as far as I can see,” Levi continued. “We can go along with John against our deep held beliefs…or we can go home.”

Brian cleared his throat. “Before we make a decision, I think we need to put into words the complexity of this situation. It’s true that none of us would want to take the life of one of these creatures in order to prove its existence.”

The others nodded their heads in agreement.

“However, like most things in life, it’s not that simple” Brian continued. “This isn’t a black and white issue. There’s a man’s life at risk. And, if we go along with this plan, we are placing our own lives at risk.”

“That’s the heart of the matter,” Levi agreed. “For me, the decision isn’t the value of a man’s life versus the value of the life of a sasquatch. In my mind, there is no decision, if it were that simple. I place the value of human life above the life of any other animal. The real quandary for me is the what-ifs. What if Grady is already dead? What if we all get killed?”

“What if they are human?” Rusty chimed in. Silence followed as they stared into the campfire, reflecting on their situation.

Rusty continued. “Well, we’ve all heard the debates…Gigantopithecus Blacki, Neanderthal, Robustus, undiscovered species. We don’t really know what we’re dealing with here.”

“But we do know that Grady is human,” Levi stated.

Brian nodded his head. “That’s a good point. He’s being held against his will.”

“He killed one of them,” Rusty said in frustration. “It’s not like he was pulled out of his home in the middle of the night. He hunted one of them down and killed it!”

“You’ve got a point,” Brian agreed reluctantly. “In many ways, he brought it upon himself. I’ve always believed, though, that even though I would never take the life of one of these creatures, I can’t be the judge of someone who would.”

“It’s not a judgment, Brian. It’s a fact,” Rusty said emphatically.

“Maybe so,” Brian replied, “but does that mean he deserves to die?”

Rusty let out a frustrated breath. “So you think we should go along with this plan. You want to follow this crazy cowboy into a gunfight?”

“You’re being dramatic,” Levi asserted.

“It’s a dramatic situation, Levi! Don’t forget that these creatures already bested two armed cowboys!”

No one responded and the soft sounds of the wind through the cedars and the crackling of the fire filled the night air. Off in the distance another screech owl moaned its eerie tune. It brought to Rusty’s mind the theories of sasquatch imitating various animals to communicate. A shiver ran down his spine. “What if they’re watching us right now? What if they understand more than we give them credit for? What if we are successful in getting Grady back, but then get killed before we can get out of the woods?”

“No one is denying the what-ifs, Brian,” Levi grumbled. “Hell, I’m not trying to talk you into going. If you want to turn back, I don’t blame you. But I just realized something for myself.”

Brian turned to him. “Well, are you going to share?”