The next day, the Romeros woke up fresh and early (even Debby, after some serious protesting) and they all met in the dining room for breakfast. The room was filled with the delicious, mouth-watering aroma of maple syrup as Clarissa was flipping pancakes on the stove. Tony was glad to wash them down with a strong and dark mug of steaming coffee.

After they ate, Tony and Juan prepared for their first hunting expedition together. Tony led his son downstairs into the basement and went to the far corner of the dimly-lighted room. There, he opened up the huge wooden doors of a dusty cabinet, sending up a cloud of dirt and cobwebs.

After he finished coughing, Juan opened his eyes to the greatest, most humongous array of weapons he had ever seen! There were some rows of handguns, rifles, and shotguns, all on their individual hooks, as well as other weapons. Some of the others included bows & arrows, crossbows, daggers, and even spears. Tony took down a basic rifle for himself and recommended a smaller gun for Juan since he had never fired anything before.

Juan, however, actually seemed a little afraid of the cold metal weapon his father placed in his hands. “Uh, Dad? Can you teach me how to use this…safely?”

Tony understood and smiled. “Of course, son! I was just as worried as you are now when I got my first weapon. It’s difficult to know what to do. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you!”

Juan was relieved. He watched attentively as Tony taught him how to hold and fire the gun, among other things he needed to know, and soon he was ready.

“Okay, Dad! Let’s go!”

🗡🗡🗡

“Alright, let’s try going this way now. I think I see something rustling around in those bushes over there,” Tony suggested as they prowled in the forest.

“Yeah, I see it too. What is it?”

“I don’t know, son. It looks like a moose, but we’ll see.”

Juan held his gun like his father had showed him, and together they crept through the dense undergrowth.

“Hey, Dad,” Juan whispered.

“Yes?”

“That doesn’t look like a moose to me.”

 “Are you sure, son?”

“Yeah.”

“Then what do you think it is?”

Juan squinted to see the creature better, and answered, “It looks like…a tiger. After all, it’s got all that dirty, matted fur and it walks on all fours. It has a kind of cat-like build, too.”

“A tiger?”

The creature’s response was a low growl and a look in their direction. Although Juan and his father couldn’t see much through the thick vegetation, they did realize that it was definitely not a moose. Or even a tiger.

“Juan, run!” exclaimed Tony suddenly, and they took off towards the clearing.

“What is that thing, Dad!?” Juan panted. He could hear its heavy footsteps closing in.

“I don’t know, but it’s clearly something a lot worse than a moose!” Tony exclaimed back, quickening his pace.

Soon, both of the exhausted hunters reached the clearing, but kept running even though the animal’s steps had ceased behind them. Juan dared to look back and then let Tony know that they could stop.

Tony burst through the door of the log cabin with Juan to break the news to his wife and daughter.

🗡🗡🗡

“So, let me get this straight… A creature in the woods chased you guys all the way here… And you think it was a tiger? In northern Iowa?” Debby questioned doubtfully.

           “It was bigger, stronger, and faster than a tiger. It had sharper teeth, too,” Juan confirmed.

           “Still, though, highly unlikely,” Debbie argued. Clarissa nodded her head in agreement.

           “But sis,” Juan interrupted. “We really were ambushed by this - this horrific beast. It spotted us through the bushes and then it came right after us! We were lucky to make it here alive!”

           “Yeah, sure you did. Stop trying to scare us. The jig is up, Juan,” Debbie replied, her voice steadily rising with her annoyance.

           “But we’re not-“

           “Juan Miguel Romero!” Clarissa exclaimed, surprising everyone. “You will stop this nonsense right now!”

           Juan stopped arguing and instead said, “Dad saw it.” Everyone’s eyes turned to Tony.

           “Is that true?” Clarissa challenged.

           Tony avoided the question. “I mean, I didn’t get a very good look at it, it might not have been a tiger-”

           “Is it true?” Clarissa stopped him again.

           “Yes. I saw it. Whatever it is, it might be coming back. So we all need to be more careful around that forest. I’m going to go out and investigate while you all stay here.”