WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.520 --> 00:00:05.759 For decades, people have disappeared in the woods without a trace. 2 00:00:06.519 --> 00:00:10.279 Some blame wild animals, others whisper of creatures the world 3 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:14.160 refuses to believe in. But those who have survived they 4 00:00:14.199 --> 00:00:18.679 know the truth. Welcome to Backwoods Bigfoot Stories, where we 5 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.839 share real encounters with the things lurking in the darkness bigfoot, 6 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:28.239 dog man, UFOs, and creatures that defy explanation. Some make 7 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:32.280 it out, others aren't so lucky. Are you ready, because 8 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:34.640 once you hear these stories, you'll never walk in the 9 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:38.920 woods alone again. So grab your flashlight, stay close, and 10 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:41.840 remember some things in the woods don't want to be found. 11 00:00:42.520 --> 00:00:46.240 Hit that follow or subscribe button, turn on auto downloads, 12 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:47.600 and let's head off into. 13 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:48.399 The woods if you dare. 14 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.000 Every story about two worlds eventually arrives at the same 15 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:09.959 dangerous question. What happens when someone decides to cross the 16 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:13.280 line between them. That's the ground we're standing on as 17 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:16.719 Part three begins, Because for all the talk of borders 18 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:19.760 and territory and enemies at the tree line, the thing 19 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:22.680 that's about to change everything isn't a war party or 20 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:25.719 a hunting pack. It's a piece of paper left under 21 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:28.640 a stone, and a boy who trusts the wrong things 22 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:31.879 for all the right reasons. I've always believed the most 23 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.519 interesting moment in any tale isn't the fight. It's the 24 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:39.319 choice that comes before it, the one made quietly by 25 00:01:39.319 --> 00:01:41.519 someone young enough to still believe the world can be 26 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:44.719 different than the people around him swear it is. That's 27 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:47.280 the kind of choice waiting in these chapters, and it 28 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:50.200 carries a weight that every roar and every raised fist 29 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:54.000 in the earlier parts never could Trust. Is a strange 30 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:56.680 thing out in that forest. It gets you killed as 31 00:01:56.680 --> 00:01:59.359 often as it saves you, and nobody can ever tell 32 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:02.400 you in advance which one it'll be. Code is about 33 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:03.120 to gamble on it. 34 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:03.640 Anyway. 35 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:07.079 What he risks and who he drags to the edge 36 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:09.960 of that risk alongside him is where this next stretch 37 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:13.719 of the road takes us. So settle in, Get comfortable. 38 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:18.240 Some doors, once you open them, don't close again. This 39 00:02:18.520 --> 00:02:23.759 is Part three, Chapter eighteen, The meeting. Coda found the 40 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:26.719 note three hours after Eli left it. He'd been on 41 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:30.360 patrol with Mira, checking the boundaries of their territory when 42 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:33.960 he'd caught Eli's familiar scent near the clearing. Curious, he 43 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.879 detoured to investigate and found the paper weighted under the stone. 44 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:41.240 He couldn't read human writing very well. His understanding of 45 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.319 their language was mostly verbal, but he recognized enough words 46 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:52.439 to grasp the general meaning. Parents No tomorrow night sunset? 47 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:55.960 What is it, Mira asked, coming to peer over his 48 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:02.439 shoulder trouble, Coda replied, Eli's parents know about us, about me, specifically, 49 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:08.319 he wants to arrange a meeting. Absolutely not, Mira said immediately, Coda, 50 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:12.680 you can't. It's too dangerous more humans knowing about us. 51 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.000 They already know, Coda interrupted. The question is what we 52 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:20.639 do about it. We could ignore this hope it goes away. 53 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:24.479 But what if Eli's family tells others? What if they 54 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:28.479 bring more humans into the forest looking for us, then 55 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:31.680 we move deeper like we've done before when humans got 56 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:35.400 too close. We just fought a war to defend this territory, 57 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:42.439 Coda reminded her. Sasquatch died, Mira, Rockshaw, Jakara others. We're 58 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:45.400 not moving again now when we finally have some peace. 59 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:50.439 Mira was quiet for a moment, then sighed, You're going 60 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:52.800 to do this no matter what I say, aren't you? 61 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:57.280 I have to, Coda said, Eli's different he's kept our 62 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:00.759 secret for three years. He's left me gifts, tried to 63 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:04.400 understand us. If his parents are anything like him, maybe 64 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:07.520 we can trust them too, Or maybe they'll hunt us 65 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:11.960 down and destroy everything we've built MEA countered humans are dangerous, Coda, 66 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:15.759 even the ones who seem friendly. Coda knew she was 67 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:18.120 right to be cautious, but he also knew that the 68 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:24.720 old ways, complete isolation, absolute secrecy, weren't sustainable anymore. The 69 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:28.240 humans were everywhere now, their machines pushing deeper into the 70 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.240 forest every year. Eventually contact was inevitable. Maybe it was 71 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:36.319 better to have that contact on their terms, with humans 72 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:41.240 who already had some understanding and respect. That evening, Coda 73 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:45.199 approached his parents in their chamber. Koboda was resting his 74 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:48.560 injuries from the battle, still healing, while Asha tended to 75 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:52.519 him with a poultice made from forest herbs. I need 76 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.279 to tell you something, Coda began, and then he explained 77 00:04:55.319 --> 00:05:01.040 everything Eli, the gifts, the growing friendship, the note, the 78 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:06.279 proposed meeting. Caboda listened in silence, his expression growing darker 79 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:10.639 with each detail. When Coda finished, the patriarch was quiet 80 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:13.680 for a long moment. You've been meeting with a human, 81 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:18.000 he finally said, his voice carefully controlled for over three 82 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:21.800 years behind our backs. I know I should have told 83 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:25.040 you sooner, Code admitted, but I thought you'd make me stop, 84 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:29.920 and I didn't want to. Eli's different father. He sees 85 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:34.680 us as people, not animals. He's curious and respectful and 86 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:40.839 still human, Caboda interrupted. Still capable of betraying us intentionally 87 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:45.160 or not. But he hasn't, Coda argued. He's kept our secret, 88 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.040 even though it would have been easy to tell others. 89 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:50.879 That has to count for something. Asha placed a hand 90 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:55.000 on her mate's arm. Let the boy finish Caboda. Coda 91 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:57.839 took a breath. The thing is, we don't have a 92 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:02.399 choice anymore. A forest ran has been asking questions. Hikers 93 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:05.639 are reporting sightings. Our secret is eroding, whether we like 94 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:08.800 it or not. Meeting with Eli's family might be our 95 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:11.439 chance to control the narrative, to have at least a 96 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:15.040 few humans who understand us and might help protect us. 97 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:17.839 Or it might be the beginning of the end, Kboda 98 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:21.639 said grimly. Once word gets out, once people truly believe 99 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:26.560 we exist, they'll come. Scientists wanting to study us, hunters 100 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:29.759 wanting to prove their worth. Military may be wanting to 101 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:33.519 capture us. We've stayed hidden for millennia for good reason, Coda. 102 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:38.040 I know, Coda said, But father, the world has changed. 103 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:43.480 There are cameras everywhere now, drones, satellites. How much longer 104 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:46.399 can we really stay hidden? Maybe it's better to reveal 105 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.240 ourselves to a few sympathetic humans than to be discovered 106 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:53.240 by hostile ones. Kaboda closed his eyes, and Coda saw 107 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.439 the weight of leadership pressing down on his father. This 108 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:59.879 wasn't just a decision about one family meeting one Sasquatch. 109 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:01.160 This was a. 110 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:04.240 Decision that could affect every clan in the region, that 111 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:08.279 could change the course of Sasquatch history. If I allow this, 112 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:13.000 Caboda said, slowly, there will be conditions. You don't go alone. 113 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:16.839 I'll accompany you, as will two other warriors. We meet 114 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:20.079 in a location of our choosing, where we have the advantage, 115 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:23.839 and at the first sign of treachery, weapons, cameras, any 116 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:27.480 indication they brought others, we leave immediately and move the 117 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:31.879 entire clan to the winter grounds. I understand, Coda said, 118 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:36.519 relief flooding through him and Coda his father's eyes opened, 119 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:39.959 fixing him with a hard stare. If this goes wrong, 120 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.879 if we're exposed because of your judgment, You'll have to 121 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:44.279 live with those consequences. 122 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:45.480 We all will. 123 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.279 The next evening, as the sun began to set, casting 124 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:52.600 long shadows through the forest, the Thompson family made their 125 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:56.920 way to the clearing Eli had described. Thomas carried a flashlight, 126 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:59.959 though he kept it off for now. Sarah walked close 127 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:03.399 to his side, her hand gripping his arm. Eli led 128 00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:07.560 the way, barely able to breathe. Are you sure about this, 129 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:11.199 Sarah whispered. Maybe we should have told someone, brought someone 130 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:16.120 with us and break Eli's trust. Thomas replied quietly, No, 131 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:19.240 We do this his way, but I've got my phone 132 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:22.079 set to speed dial nine one one if things go south. 133 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:25.240 They reached the clearing just as the last light was 134 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:29.639 fading from the sky. Eli's gift Pyle was there, undisturbed 135 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:33.519 except for a new addition, a carved wooden figure, rough 136 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:37.440 but recognizable as a bird in flight, Coda's latest gift. 137 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:42.120 He's been here, Eli said, picking up the carving recently, 138 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:46.440 maybe today. So where is he now? Thomas asked, scanning 139 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:51.720 the darkening tree line, watching us, probably deciding if it's safe. 140 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:54.360 They waited intense silence for what felt like hours but 141 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.320 was probably only ten minutes. Then, from the shadows beneath 142 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:04.399 the trees, something moved. Eli saw him first, Coda. He said, quietly, 143 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:09.120 it's okay. These are my parents, Thomas and Sarah. They 144 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:12.799 want to meet you. The young sasquatch emerged from the 145 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:17.360 undergrowth slowly, and Eli heard his mother gasp. Even though 146 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:20.279 Eli had tried to prepare them, nothing could really prepare 147 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:24.159 someone for their first sight of a sasquatch. Coda stood 148 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:28.240 nearly seven feet tall, his body covered in thick, tawny hair. 149 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:32.360 His face was more human than ape, with intelligent, dark 150 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:36.159 eyes that studied the Thompson family with obvious caution. But 151 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:40.240 he wasn't alone. Two more sasquatch emerged behind him. The 152 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:43.559 first was even larger than Coda, easily eight feet tall, 153 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:47.000 with silver streaked hair and a presence that radiated authority. 154 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:51.120 The second was a female, slightly smaller, with wise eyes 155 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:54.639 and a protective stance near the big male. My parents, 156 00:09:54.679 --> 00:10:01.919 Coda said, in halting English, the words clearly difficult for him. Caboda, Asha, Thomas, 157 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.919 and Sarah stood frozen, their eyes wide. 158 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:05.919 Eli could see. 159 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:09.279 His father's hand trembling where it held his phone. Holy shit, 160 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:14.639 Thomas breathed, they're real, You're real. Caboda stepped forward, and 161 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:18.519 Eli saw both his parents tense, but the Sasquatch patriarch 162 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:24.559 stopped several yards away, making no threatening moves. You bring others, 163 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:30.840 Caboda asked, his English even more broken than Coda's camera weapons. No, 164 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:35.639 Eli said quickly, just us, just my family, I promised, 165 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:41.240 Remember Sarah found her voice. We won't tell anyone. We 166 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:44.600 just needed to see, needed to know if Eli was 167 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:49.960 telling the truth. Is this is incredible? Asha moved to 168 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:53.639 stand beside her mate, her eyes moving between the humans carefully. 169 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:57.559 She said something in the Sasquatch language, too fast and 170 00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:02.120 complex for Eli to follow. My mother, says. Coda translated 171 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:06.159 that you smell of fear. Are you afraid of us? Yes, 172 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:10.519 Thomas admitted, but also amazed. I never thought. I mean 173 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:14.240 you're supposed to be a myth, a legend. We real, 174 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:21.799 Koboda said, live here long time, want stay hidden? We understand, 175 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:26.039 Sarah said, and we'll help keep your secret. But Eli's right, 176 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:29.759 there's a ranger asking questions. Other people are starting to 177 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:33.559 see things. How can we help for the next hour. 178 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:37.200 As full darkness fell and the stars emerged overhead, the 179 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:42.440 two families talked. It was halting, awkward conversation, hampered by 180 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:46.639 language barriers and centuries of mutual wariness, but it was 181 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:50.360 a start, Coda explained, with Eli's help translating some of 182 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:53.360 the more complex ideas about the recent battle with the 183 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:57.480 dog men, about the clans and their territories, about their 184 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:01.679 fears of human expansion and discovery. Thomas and Sarah shared 185 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.600 what they knew about Ranger Whitley's investigation, about the reports 186 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:09.399 that were circulating about the growing interest in the area. 187 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:15.519 We need alliance, Caboda said, Carefully, you help, we help 188 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:20.960 keep secret together. What kind of help, Thomas asked, warn us, 189 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:24.960 Coda suggested, if more rangers come, if people with cameras 190 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:28.879 guns give us time to hide, to move, we can 191 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:32.480 do that. Sarah agreed, And maybe we can help misdirect attention. 192 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:35.600 Tell people we've lived here a year and never seen 193 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:41.360 anything unusual, that the reports are probably just bears or shadows. Yes, 194 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:44.240 Caboda said, something like relief in his voice. 195 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.200 Good. 196 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.840 As the meeting wound down and the families prepared to 197 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:53.320 part ways, Eli approached Coda one more time. Thank you, 198 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:58.039 he said, for trusting us, for coming tonight. Thank you, 199 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:02.879 Coda replied, for keeping suit secret, for being friend They 200 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:06.440 regarded each other for a moment, human boy and sasquatch youth, 201 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:09.799 representatives of two species who had lived in parallel for 202 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:13.919 so long without truly connecting. Then Coda reached out and 203 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:17.720 placed a massive, gentle hand on Eli's shoulder, a gesture 204 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:21.679 of trust and friendship that transcended words, we protect each 205 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:26.879 other now, Coda said, yes, yes, Eli agreed, we protect 206 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.080 each other. As the Thompsons made their way back to 207 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:33.840 their homestead, all three of them were quiet, processing what 208 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:38.440 they'd experienced. Finally, Sarah spoke, no one's going to believe 209 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:41.120 us if we tell them, then we don't tell them. 210 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:44.960 Thomas replied. We keep the secret like we promised, and 211 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:48.799 we do whatever we can to keep those Sasquatch safe. Agreed, 212 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:52.039 Eli said, and for the first time in months, he 213 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.399 felt like the weight on his shoulders had eased just 214 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:58.120 a bit. He wasn't alone in this anymore. The secret 215 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:02.080 was shared now, and maybe, just maybe that would be 216 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:05.279 enough to protect Coda and his clan from the dangers. Closing, 217 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:08.360 in around Them, Chapter nineteen. 218 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.480 The Elder's Visit. 219 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:13.200 Three days after meeting Coda's family in the forest, Thomas 220 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:16.200 Thompson sat on his back porch, watching the tree line 221 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:19.159 and wondering if he had lost his mind. The events 222 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:22.039 of that night still felt like a dream. Standing in 223 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:25.200 the clearing, face to face with beings that science said 224 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:29.919 couldn't exist, hearing them speak, seeing the intelligence in their eyes, 225 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:33.600 understanding that everything he thought he knew about the world 226 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:37.759 was wrong. Sarah had handled it better than he expected. 227 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.639 After the initial shock wore off, her practical nature had 228 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:44.840 taken over. So what do we do now? She had asked, 229 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:48.679 How do we help? That question had been echoing in 230 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:53.600 Thomas's mind ever since. The answer came At dusk, Eli 231 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:58.039 appeared at the back door, his face pale, Dad, there's 232 00:14:58.039 --> 00:15:00.200 someone here to see you. Stay tuned from one or 233 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:03.799 back woods Bigfoot stories. We'll be back after these messages. 234 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:11.639 Who Omachi the clan elder and Caboda, the clan leader. 235 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:16.720 They want to talk. Thomas felt a jolt of nervous energy. 236 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:19.639 He had met Caboda briefly at the first encounter, but 237 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:24.799 only in passing Omaki the elder. Thomas had heard Eli 238 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:27.600 mention her, but hadn't expected to meet her so soon. 239 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.840 Where the edge of the woods they said they'd wait. 240 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:36.799 Thomas stood his legs, feeling unsteady. Should I bring anything? 241 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.759 Is there some kind of protocol? Eli almost smiled. Just 242 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:46.279 be yourself, dad. They're people different from us, but people 243 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:50.879 treat them like you treat anyone. Thomas nodded, took a 244 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:54.559 deep breath, and followed his son into the gathering darkness. 245 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.600 They were waiting at the boundary where the Thompson's property 246 00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:02.120 met the National Forest. Two figures, massive and still barely 247 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:03.440 visible in the fading light. 248 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.559 Caboda. 249 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:09.440 He recognized the broad shoulders, the protective stance, the eyes 250 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:14.240 that seemed to measure everything. But the other sasquatch was smaller, older, 251 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:17.320 with silver threading through her dark fur, and a face 252 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:21.399 that carried the weight of many years. Mister Thompson, Caboda 253 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:24.919 said his English, careful but clear. Thank you for meeting 254 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:28.919 with us, Thank you for coming. Thomas was surprised by 255 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:32.960 how steady his voice sounded. I wasn't sure if I mean, 256 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:36.240 after everything, I thought you might be angry that Eli 257 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:41.399 told us. The older sasquatch stepped forward, her eyes deep 258 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.720 amber in the twilight, studied Thomas with unsettling intensity. I 259 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:49.679 am Amaki, she said, elder of the Hoe clan. Once 260 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:52.320 I led all the clans together with my mate Tran. 261 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:55.759 But Terran is gone, now, killed in the conflicts that 262 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:59.240 drove us from our ancestral lands. When we came east 263 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:02.320 seeking new terror, I knew it was time for younger 264 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:06.960 blood to lead. She gestured toward Kboda. Caboda has taken 265 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:10.480 up that burden. He is patriarch now speaker for all 266 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:14.200 the clans. But I still serve as adviser, as keeper 267 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:17.720 of old wisdom, and when matters of great importance arise, 268 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:23.079 we counsel together. Thomas absorbed this and this my family 269 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:27.200 knowing about you, that's a matter of great importance, the greatest, 270 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:31.319 Caboda said. For generations, our survival has depended on one 271 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:35.440 thing remaining hidden. Every human who learns our secret is 272 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:39.240 a risk, a potential exposure that could destroy everything we 273 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:43.839 have built. I understand, Thomas said, quietly, and I'm sorry. 274 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:47.279 Eli didn't want to tell us. He kept your secret 275 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:50.720 for a long time, but with that ranger asking questions, 276 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:55.240 with the pressure building, he felt he had no choice. 277 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:58.519 We do not blame Eli. Omaki said, he has proven 278 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:00.359 himself a true friend to our peace people. 279 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.680 His heart is good. 280 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:07.160 She paused, her ancient eyes, never leaving Thomas's face. The 281 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:09.279 question is whether the same can be said of you. 282 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:13.480 Thomas felt the weight of that gaze, the judgment contained 283 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:17.160 in it. I love my son, and Coda has become like, 284 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:21.119 I don't know, like a brother to Eli. They're family 285 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:24.319 to each other, even if they're different species. I won't 286 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:26.920 do anything to hurt that. I won't do anything to 287 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:31.680 hurt your people. Words are easy, Koboda observed. Actions are 288 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:35.119 what matter. Then tell me what actions you need. Tell 289 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:38.599 me how I can help. Omaki and Caboda exchanged a 290 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:43.119 long look. Some communication passed between them, silent and complete. 291 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:48.920 The ranger Omachi finally, said Marcus Whitley. He continues to investigate. 292 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:52.880 He does not accept the explanations given. He knows something 293 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:55.759 is in these woods, and he will not stop until 294 00:18:55.759 --> 00:19:01.400 he finds it. I've met him, Thomas said. He seems dedicated. 295 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:05.160 He is dangerous, Caboda said bluntly, not because he wishes 296 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:08.640 us harm, but because his dedication may lead others to us, 297 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:12.279 Others who would not be as reasonable. What do you 298 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:17.160 want me to do? Another exchanged glance. Then Omachi spoke, 299 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:22.039 her voice, soft but firm. Watch him learn what he knows, 300 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.839 what he suspects, and when the time comes. If the 301 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:29.319 time comes, you may need to make a choice. Either 302 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:32.640 find a way to redirect his investigation or bring him 303 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:36.000 into the secret as your son brought you. Thomas stared 304 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:39.799 at her. You'd trust another human after everything you've said 305 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:44.640 about the risks. Trust must begin somewhere. Omaki said, your 306 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:47.759 son took a risk when he befriended Coda. Coda took 307 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:50.680 a risk when he allowed that friendship to grow. Now 308 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:54.039 we take a risk with you. Perhaps eventually we take 309 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:57.160 a risk with the ranger as well. Each expansion of 310 00:19:57.200 --> 00:20:00.960 the circle is dangerous, but remaining hidden harder with every 311 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:05.839 passing year. We must adapt or perish. The world is 312 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:10.200 closing in around us. Caboda added more hikers, more cameras, 313 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:14.119 more development, pushing into wild places. The old ways of 314 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:17.880 simple avoidance may not be enough anymore. We need allies 315 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:21.720 among your kind, Allies who can warn us, protect us, 316 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:25.480 help us navigate a human world we do not fully understand. 317 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:29.440 Thomas thought about this for a long moment the cricket 318 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:33.799 sang in the darkness. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called. 319 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:37.279 You're asking me to build a network, he finally said, 320 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:41.799 A group of trusted humans who can help keep your secret. Yes, 321 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:44.720 so Maki said simply, and it would start with my 322 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:49.759 family and maybe eventually the ranger if he proves worthy. 323 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:53.880 Thomas looked at Eli, who had been standing silently throughout 324 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:57.160 the conversation. His son's face was a mixture of hope 325 00:20:57.240 --> 00:21:00.839 and anxiety. I'll do it, Thomas said, I don't know 326 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:03.880 how exactly. I don't have a plan yet, but I'll 327 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:07.279 find a way to help you. Have my word, Omachi 328 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:11.319 nodded slowly. Then, to Thomas's surprise, she reached out and 329 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:14.720 placed one massive hand on his shoulder. Her grip was 330 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:18.799 gentle despite her strength. Welcome to our world, Thomas Thompson, 331 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:22.960 she said, May you never regret entering it, And with that, 332 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:27.000 the two sasquatch faded back into the forest, leaving Thomas 333 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.359 and Eli alone at. 334 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.640 The edge of the wild. 335 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.319 That night, Thomas sat with Sarah at the kitchen table 336 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:38.599 and told her everything. So where what secret agents for Bigfoot? 337 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:42.039 Sarah asked, a note of hysteria creeping into her voice. 338 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:46.559 Something like that. Thomas couldn't help a small laugh. I 339 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:50.759 know it sounds insane, It is insane. This whole situation 340 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:54.640 is insane. Sarah rubbed her temples. But what choice do 341 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:59.319 we have. Eli's already involved, codis practically part of this family. 342 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:04.799 Can't just walk away, No, we can't. Sarah was quiet 343 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:09.160 for a moment. Then she straightened, her practical nature reasserting itself. 344 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:12.359 So what's the first step. What do we do about 345 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:15.839 this ranger? I'm not sure yet, but I think I 346 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.720 need to learn more about him, what he knows, what 347 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:22.599 he's found, how close he is to the truth. Thomas 348 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:25.759 drummed his fingers on the table. Maybe I should invite 349 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:28.720 him over, have a conversation, feel him out. 350 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.599 Is that safe? 351 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:34.160 Probably not? But Omaki was right about one thing. The 352 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:37.799 Ranger isn't going to stop. He's too dedicated, too close 353 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.480 to something real. We either find a way to work 354 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:43.160 with him, or he eventually stumbles onto the Sasquatch on 355 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:45.960 his own. At least this way we might be able 356 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:50.039 to control how the revelation happens. Sarah reached across the 357 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:53.039 table and took his hand. I never thought our life 358 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:57.440 would be like this. Neither did I. Thomas squeezed her hand. 359 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:02.759 But here we are, Sarah agreed, protecting Bigfoot from the 360 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:07.440 federal government just a normal Tuesday. They shared a tired laugh, 361 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:12.079 and for a moment, despite everything, Thomas felt something like hope. 362 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:15.200 They weren't alone in this. They had each other, They 363 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:19.000 had Eli, and now they had unlikely allies in the forest. 364 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:24.079 It wasn't much, but it was a start. Chapter twenty 365 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:28.200 The Rangers Discovery. Marcus Whitley had been a park ranger 366 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:32.599 for twenty years. He'd seen bears, cougars, elk and every 367 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:36.680 other creature that called these forest home. He'd investigated poaching, 368 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:41.799 illegal logging, missing hikers, and the occasional marijuana grow operation 369 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:44.920 hidden deep in the back country. He thought he'd seen 370 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.279 it all. 371 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.599 He was wrong. 372 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:50.799 The reports had been trickling in for weeks. Hikers claiming 373 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:54.680 to see large bipedal figures in the forest, hunters finding 374 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:58.440 massive footprints that didn't match any known animal, a group 375 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:01.119 of college students swearing they'd hear heard something screaming in 376 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:05.319 the night, a sound none of them could identify. Whitley 377 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:09.920 had dismissed most of it, as over active imaginations, misidentified bears, 378 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:14.039 or outright hoaxes. Bigfoot sightings were part of the culture 379 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:18.480 out here, stories told around campfires to scare tourists. But 380 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:21.839 the reports kept coming, and they were too consistent to ignore. 381 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.640 So he'd started his own investigation quietly, on his own time, 382 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:29.759 without filing official reports that might make him look like 383 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:33.400 a crackpot. Tonight, he was following up on the most 384 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:38.359 credible sighting yet. A retired biology professor had reported seeing 385 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:41.920 something massive and humanoid near Miller Creek three days ago. 386 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.279 The professor wasn't the type to make things up, and 387 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.799 he'd been visibly shaken. 388 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.680 When Whitley interviewed him. 389 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.799 Whitley parked his truck at the end of the logging 390 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:54.759 road and continued on foot, his flashlight cutting through the darkness. 391 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.240 The forest was. 392 00:24:56.279 --> 00:25:01.359 Quiet, too quiet, he realized. No crickets, no owls, no 393 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:06.079 rustling of small animals in the underbrush, just silence. He'd 394 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:08.039 been hiking for about an hour when he found the 395 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:11.480 first footprint. It was pressed into the soft mud near 396 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:15.400 a stream crossing, clearly defined in the beam of his flashlight. 397 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:20.160 Whitley crouched down, his heart beginning to race The print 398 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:26.119 was humanoid, five toes, a distinct heel an arch, but massive, 399 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:30.759 at least eighteen inches long and eight inches wide. Whatever 400 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:34.559 made this print weighed several hundred pounds. He photographed it 401 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:38.519