The Creature with No Neck

This story is based on a report submitted to from a hunter in Longview, Alberta: The town of Longview, Alberta had a long and storied history. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it had always been a place of mystery and legend. For centuries, the indigenous people of the area had told tales of strange creatures that lived in the woods and mountains, creatures that were half-human, half-animal. But as the years passed and civilization spread, these stories began to fade. The people of Longview became more focused on the practicalities of life, and the creatures of legend seemed like nothing more than childish fantasies. Then, one November day, John and his hunting partner had a chance encounter that would change their lives forever. As they drove through the mountains south of town, they saw something that they couldn't explain, something that seemed to defy all logic and reason. And in that moment, they knew that the old stories were true. The creatures of legend did exist, and they were watching from the shadows, waiting to be seen. John and his hunting partner had been planning this trip for months. They were determined to bag the biggest buck of the season, and they knew just where to find it: in the foothills south of Longview, Alberta. Before setting out, they had taken care to study the local deer population and their movements. They knew that the deer would be seeking out south-facing slopes during the cold winter months, as the sun would help to keep them warm and dry. The weather had been cold and cloudy, but John and his partner were prepared for the elements. They set out early on a November morning, their rifles and gear packed into the bed of their pickup truck. As they drove down the winding mountain roads, John couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. He kept glancing into the trees, half-expecting to see a pair of glowing eyes staring back at him. But the only creatures he saw were the occasional squirrel or bird flitting through the branches. As the morning turned to afternoon, John and his partner still hadn't spotted any deer. They decided to try their luck on a road called the Indian Graves, but it was a bust. They were about to turn back when John's partner suddenly shouted, "What's that thing up there?" John turned his head just in time to see a large, black shape standing between two pine trees at the top of a hill. He slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road. The creature moved with startling speed, disappearing into the tree line in just a few seconds. John and his partner watched in amazement as the creature vanished into the brush. John's heart was pounding in his chest as he climbed out of the truck. He grabbed his binoculars and steadied himself on the hood, trying to get a better look at the creature. Through the lenses, he could see that it was covered in black hair of varying lengths, and it seemed to have no neck. Its arms were longer than any human's, and its body was muscular and well-proportioned. John watched the creature for a minute, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. It couldn't be a bear; it was standing upright and walking on two feet. And it couldn't be a hunter, either; there was no sign of any blaze orange clothing or weapons. John couldn't even hear any vocalizations or detect any odors coming from the creature. He was about to turn away when the creature suddenly moved, disappearing into the thicket. John couldn't see it anymore, but he had a feeling that it was still there, hidden among the trees. He climbed back into the truck and told his partner what he had seen. John and his partner drove back to town in silence, trying to process what had just happened. They both knew that they had seen something extraordinary, something that couldn't be explained by any known animal or human. They debated going back to try and get a better look, but they were both too shaken up to try it. Instead, they went to the local bar and told their story to anyone who would listen. Some people laughed and called them liars, but others nodded gravely, as if they had heard similar tales before. John couldn't shake the image of the creature from his mind, and he found himself staring out the window at the trees, wondering if it was still out there, watching him. As the days went by, John couldn't help but wonder if he would ever see the creature again. He knew that it was out there somewhere, lurking in the shadows, waiting to reveal itself to him once more. And he knew that he would be ready when it did.