Vic also began a daily outing which was neither a run nor walk. She told Barney, “It’s a lope. I always feel better when I’m done and think someday it will be a common practice.

Vic wasn’t impervious to cold, and it was seeping in. If she were out hunting, she would turn back, but she survived hostile weather in Mongolia and Siberia, and she came out to find Lon Boy. Those things considered, the idea of turning back didn’t even sit down. It came in the front door, and Vic kicked it out the back door.

Evelyn stared at the ceiling then looked at Lihwa. “No matter how much haste you wish to make, sometimes it is necessary to move at the pace of the mystery. You need to feel it and understand why. Once you understand the why, the solution will be obvious. I’m sure the why is in the diaries and letters.

As they worked, the conversation never lagged. It never touched on spirits or Sasquatches. They talked about food and the weather and things each did recently. Somewhere inside the discussion, Lin realized they were talking like the letters and diaries. They talked about life. They discussed daily stuff that might matter to no one later, but it defined their feelings of that day. It also hinted at their hopes and what was important to them.

When Vic was growing up, her parents gave her and brother Barney a lot of rope. From an early age, their parents treated them as adults in many respects. Guidelines for life were few. Don’t hurt anyone or put anyone in danger, including yourselves. Don’t lie or steal and respect your elders. Do what you’re told, and if you aren't told what to do, do what needs done.

Vic rode in the bed of the pickup. She wanted to lay down. Several empty feed bags were in the bed, and Vic laid on some and covered with others. For one minute it reminded her of a time she fell asleep in the barn when she should have been feeding the pigs. Vic smiled at that fun memory then was out cold. It was beginning to mist, but Vic didn't notice that, nor the cold wind, nor the bumpy road.

DM said, “This would hurt most people. You seem to have such a high pain tolerance, you probably won’t feel it.” He grabbed the end of Vic’s nose and pulled. Then he manipulated the cartilage until it lined up. “Take the end of your nose and keep pulling to keep things aligned.” Then DM applied the strips of tape across Vic’s nose. He added the lower strip first and overlapped the strips upward. When he finished, Vic looked at him rather sternly. “You lied. It hurt like the dickens!

She knew she must stop defending and attack. In a blink, her amber eyes were black. From the deepest recesses of Vic's lungs rose a thundering cry which boomed throughout the estate! Sleeping birds unruffled by earlier sounds now flurried into the sky, terror-stricken! The men racing for Vic stopped a moment to look around through fright-filled eyes and question what it was!

The hair stood on her neck, and she got goose skin.

Vic raised both arms and waved the ax as she cried out the blood-curdling war cry of her ancient people! Snow hares broke from their camouflaged positions to flee the area. The hairy ape folk of that generation never before heard such a cry, but instinct warned them of its meaning.