Free Hominid by R.D. Brady Page B

range. Lions, elephants, even giraffes have this ability. For some, such as lions—and, I suspect, bigfoot—the infrasound is contained within their roar. But this infrasound allows a predator to stun their prey. Tell me, did you feel nauseated afterwards, disoriented?”
    Bernie looked surprised. “Both.”
    “That’s not unusual. It’s the result of increased pressure on the middle ear. Your paralysis was actually a biological response to a vocal weapon. One you couldn’t even hear.”
    Bernie stared her for a moment before speaking. “Is it crazy that that makes me feel better?”
    “No. I think it’s pretty normal,” Tess said.
    Bernie let out a breath. “I can tell you though, it will be a long time before Leanne and I go back in the woods. In fact, right now I can’t imagine ever doing it again. And I grew up out there.”
    Eric leaned forward. “I know you feel that way now. But this is only one experience in thousands of experiences you’ve had. Don’t let it ruin the outdoors for you.”
    “I know you’re right. But right now…” Bernie stood up. “I think we’ll be staying around people. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get Leanne and get home.”
    Tess handed him one of her business cards. “If I can help, or if you think of anything else, please let me know.”
    He took the card. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to try to forget this whole thing happened.”
    “I understand,” Tess said, looking at the exhausted and terrified man in front of her. And I hope you can. But she knew from personal experience that it would be a long while before Bernie Hudson felt safe again.
    Watching Bernie make his way to the door, his shoulders slumped, she thought about her father’s death and the tree structure pointing to her camp. Bigfoot was a powerful animal, and he was interested in Tess.
    But bigfoot wasn’t violent to humans. So she had nothing to fear.
    A chill crawled over her. Right?

CHAPTER 18
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    T ess stayed and had breakfast with Eric after Bernie left. Before she hit the road, she promised she’d come for a longer visit soon and would bring Dev. She headed back to her place and made it to her camp by noon.
    Her camp wasn’t much. It was only about twenty yards by ten yards. She had a lean-to, a table and chair, and a giant log that she, Pax, and Shawn had pulled into use as seating by the fire pit back when she’d first begun her research. She settled into her chair, intending to work on her paper, but Bernie’s story was still on her mind.
    It was not an uncommon tale. People had often reported that bigfoot had chased them away from a site or thrown rocks at them. But no one had ever actually been harmed by a bigfoot.
    Sightings often reported how incredibly fast they were, how long their stride was. If they wanted to catch someone, they could easily. And due to their musculature, no one would have a chance to fight them off. And yet, that didn’t happen. Bigfoot just weren’t violent creatures.
    At least, not toward humans. Toward dogs… that was a different story. There had been dozens of reports of dogs being killed by them. Even Madge had lost two dogs to the creatures.
    Tess leaned her hands on the tabletop, picturing Shelby. Those incidents were the reason Tess never brought Shelby out here. The dogs that were killed were typically the more aggressive dogs—the ones who gave chase. The more timid dogs would just curl up, whimpering and terrified. Shelby definitely fell into the latter category, but still, Tess didn’t want to put her through that.
    Tess thought about an article she’d read about dogs’ senses. It suggested that dogs might actually be able to see deeper than humans into both the ultraviolet and infrared ends of the light spectrum. This light is invisible to humans, but not so to many animals. If dogs had this ability, it would allow them to see urine trails, or to spot a hiding animal who might otherwise blend in