I woke early the next morning realizing that I was alone in the tent, save for Daisy who slept soundly. Wolfie had gotten up already, and Lendal shared a tent with Bubba Jr. I slid into shoes, unzipping the flap, and stepped out into the stark light of morning. The smell of smoke filled the air, the lingering effects of the campfire, and a cacophony of birds chirped in the trees overhead.
My feet carried me to the fire, where Bubba’s body had been laid out, surrounded by round, white rocks. He had been decorated with dozens of flowers: wild flowers, tall-bluebells, fuchsias, and geraniums. Leslie sat off at a distance, staring unseeing at the ground before her. The Sasquatches were nearby, because I could hear grunting and twigs snapping. I followed the sound, coming upon them a moment later. They were having some sort of meeting. Lendal and Bubba Jr. sat on the ground; their shoulders were slumped, and their eyes were shiny with tears. Wolfie was in Pooky’s arms; the little ape wasn’t able to comprehend that his father had died. Kat sat with Dale.
I stood watching them, wondering what was being discussed. Leonard knew I had arrived, but he remained seated, ignoring me. The sound of Daisy crying turned my attention from them, and I headed back to camp. The tribe had important things to consider, and, although I was a member, this was Sasquatch business.
I sat with Zelda, who had begun the fire. “What’s happening?”
“They have to choose a new leader.”
“I thought that was obvious. Isn’t Leonard next in line?”
“That’s what I was thinking too.” She used a stick to better position a few logs. “Who knows what these apes are up to?” Leaning back on the balls of her feet, she stared at me. “We’ve had a lot of unrest lately. Things never used to be this crazy.”
“What does that mean?”
“Probably nothing.”
“Is this my fault?”
“No, honey. It’s not your fault. It’s just been one thing after another.”
“We have scientists following our every move. Then George sold us out to the Bigfoot hunters.
Maybe if I went back home, you guys could live in peace?”
“Don’t do this, Porsche. There’ve been hunters out here for years. The fact that nobody knows about the Sasquatches is more luck than anything. They’ve killed everyone who could talk. Things are changing. The tribe’s evolving. It’s nobody’s fault.”
“I feel lousy.”
“We’ve had an unexpected death. That ape was far too large anyhow. He was old, Porsche. They don’t live forever. None of us do.”
“I guess.”
Lendal approached with Bubba Jr. who held Wolfie. I’d set Daisy on the ground, and she had gotten up and toddled towards them. Lendal took her hand, and the youngsters headed into the woods.
“Don’t go too far.”
“We won’t, mamma,” said Lendal.
Daisy wore sturdy shoes, but she was quickly growing out of them. I needed to call Dr. Haynes to have him drop more supplies soon. Mike would be here in weeks, but I doubted I could wait that long.
I watched Zelda place a heavy metal pan on the fire. “Do you need help?”
“Gotta clean some fish.”
“When are they burying Bubba?”
“I have no idea.”
“This sucks.”
“It’s life. Shit happens.”
“Poor Leslie.”
“Yeah, she’s in shock right now. My partner died years ago. I never did find another ape I liked as much.” She stared into the forest. “I thought about leaving, but…I never got along with my family all that much. They were the reason I ran away. I got kidnapped when I was hitchhiking. That ape snatched me right off the road. I’ve nothing to go back to.”
“Leslie has her family. I wonder if she’ll go home now?”
“Things will be clearer tomorrow.”
“Do you miss your boys?” She’d had several children, but they were no longer with her.
“It’s how it goes. They gotta leave the tribe to mate. Inbreeding’s not a good idea. Your boy will leave some day too, Porsche. They find other tribes and have babies.”
“Maybe when that happens I’ll go home. I can’t see being an old lady out here.”
“Leonard’s mom and sister were here for a long time. They’re both gone now. I know you had a beef with Maggy, but she was a good woman. I’m not gonna say she was perfect, but she loved Leonard. She protected him. He was a lot hornier in his younger days. He’s mellowed with age.”
There was movement in the trees. “Looks like the meeting’s over.”
We watched as Leonard, Pooky, and Dale began to dig a large hole some distance away. They used shovels, throwing out an enormous pile of earth. Kat gathered flowers, which would be placed in the grave over Bubba. Leslie sat on a rock, staring blankly at nothing in particular. Luckily, the boys took care of their siblings, playing with Daisy and Wolfie, keeping them busy. They sensed something major was about to occur, especially Lendal and Bubba Jr., who glanced at the adults often.
Once Bubba had been lowered into his final resting place, Kat tossed the flowers over his body.
Leslie, and Zelda and I went over to pay our final respects. He looked peaceful with his eyes closed.
His hands had been crossed over his chest. The apes began to beat rocks together, creating a strange, primitive sound. This was some sort of ceremony, and rocks and sticks were used as musical instruments. I settled on a pelt with Daisy in my arms and listened. The boys loitered, sometimes smashing their own rocks, but mostly they sat with sad expressions. Zelda puffed from a pipe, preferring to get stoned. I contemplated doing the same thing, if only to feel better for a short while.
Kat and Dale held hands, while watching Leonard and Pooky, who continued with their music, as if in some strange trance-like state.
When the sounds ceased, the apes got up and to stomp their feet, Dale joining them. They circled Bubba’s grave, chanting gutturally and stomping. This went on for more than an hour, and, when I had put Daisy down for bed, things began to amplify. Leonard and Pooky were nearly foaming at the mouth and behaving so strangely, I began to worry over their welfare.
“What’s going on?”
“Damned if I know.” Zelda held the pipe to her mouth; her eyes were glazed over. “They might be at it for hours.”
Leslie came over, sitting with us. Wolfie was in her arms. “I’m so tired. How the hell am I gonna sleep with all this noise?”
“Go to bed. I’ll put Wolfie down with Daisy.” I reached for the little ape. She handed him over, and he yawned, flashing sharp-looking teeth.
“Thanks. I’m waiting for them to quiet down before I even try to sleep.”
“Hopefully, that happens soon.” I left them, heading to the tent. After settling the babies, I returned, but the Sasquatches had disappeared, save for Kat, who sat staring into the woods.
“What happened now?” I heard growling in the distance, followed by several primal roars. “What are they doing?”
The aroma of cannabis lingered in the air. “They’re freaking out, honey. I’d let ‘em.”
I sat next to Zelda. “Gimme that thing. Fuck this.” I sucked on the end, as smoke entered my lungs.
“You should have some, Leslie.”
“Kat, what are they doing?” she asked.
“They mourn the leader,” she said in a high-pitched, raspy voice. “They choose a new leader soon.”
“Oh.”
I handed the pipe to Leslie. “Here. It’s gonna be a long night.”
She took it from me. “Poor Bubba. This one’s for you. I’ll miss you.”
I eyed her, seeing a woman with long, thick brown hair and a flawless complexion. Being out in the wilderness agreed with Leslie, and all the hiking had kept her fit and lean. She was my age, and now a widow, which was bizarre to think about. “Will you leave?” She knew what I was asking.
“I don’t know. I…there’s Wolfie and Bubba Jr. I can’t abandon them. Maybe when they’re older or something and they don’t need me anymore.” She shrugged. “It sucks. I’ll be alone now.”
“Oh no you won’t,” said Zelda. “Some horny ape will be all over you in no time.”
Leslie looked less than thrilled. “That’s okay. I’m so not into it right now.” She picked up a small rock and flung it into the trees. “Just think, I killed my lover during sex. Wonderful.”
“That’s not true.” I rubbed her back. “He was too damn fat. Let’s blame Dr. Haynes for sending all that chocolate. He wouldn’t stop eating that stuff.”
“He was an old ape, honey.” Zelda looked stern, her forehead wrinkling. “He was gettin’ up there in years. They typically don’t live all that long. I’ve never met a Sasquatch older than fifty. It’s a short, crazy life.”
The noise in the forest had our attention. Several loud roars echoed. “Holy shit,” I said. “Every Bigfoot in a fifty mile radius just heard that.”
“They call them,” said Kat.
This was news. “Who are they calling?” I glanced at the female ape, seeing a heavily pregnant creature.
“It’s a custom. They gather, and the new leader will be chosen soon.”
“Isn’t that Leonard? He’s the oldest now.”
Zelda nodded. “I’m assuming he’ll be next.”
“Then why do they need to gather?”
“It’s just the way they do it.”
The cannabis had begun to affect me, leaving me slightly fuzzyheaded and utterly relaxed. I leaned into Leslie, who put her arm around my shoulders. “Let’s smoke this stuff and fuck it all,” she said. “If they want to rampage, let them. Stupid apes.”
I giggled in response.
An hour later, as the fire had begun to die down, there was movement in the trees, and the shadows of creatures emerged. There were multiple shapes, dark and tall, the fluorescence of their eyes gleaming.
I sat up, slightly alarmed. “Oh, hell. Look at that.”
Leslie was on her back on a blanket. “What?”
“A shitload of apes are coming.”
She rolled to a sitting position. “Where?”
“The tree line.”
Kat had perked up, her nose sniffing the air. “They come.”
“Who are they?” asked Leslie.
“Other tribes.”
“Are we safe?” The thought that a dozen or more Sasquatches would be upon us in a matter of minutes had me mildly concerned. “I’m not fucking all those apes.” I didn’t mean to, but I began to laugh.
Leslie giggled; the cannabis had made us both loopy. “Oh, hell no!” She stumbled to her feet. “I ain’t no Sasquatch whore!”
“All right,” said Zelda. “Not so loud. Calm down now. I’d sit and be quiet, if I were you. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”
Zelda’s warning worried me. “Great,” I muttered. “Sit, Leslie.” I grabbed her ankle. “Get down here now!”
“Fine.”
The creatures approached, led by Leonard and Pooky, who were followed by Dale. There were others behind them who eyed us with interest, their nostrils flaring, our human scent filling their lungs.
The newcomers looked far too hearty, as the outlines of muscles moved beneath their pelts. Their grizzled faces were eager…lustful.
Oh, crap.