The club was loud tonight.
I stood at my usual post near the VIP section, watching the crowd, cataloging threats the way I always did. Two drunk men near the stage — harmless, just stupid. A group of women celebrating something, shrieking every time the music changed. The regulars nursing their drinks, eyes glued to the dancers.
And everyone — everyone — talking about the beast in the woods.
"Did you see the new footage? Thing's gotta be eight feet tall."
"My buddy works for Fish and Wildlife. He says they've never seen anything like it."
"I heard they're bringing in hunters from out of state. Professional ones."
"Good. That thing killed two people. Put it down, I say."
I kept my face blank. Kept my posture relaxed. Kept pretending I wasn't the monster they were all so eager to dest
