Much ink has been spilled over the unusual humanoid creature spotted in Valley Green, known colloquially only as “the creature.” Standing over 8 ft. tall, this peaceful, hairy animal first appeared in the background of a wedding photo – the infamous Carter photo, which was promptly dismissed as a hoax. But the creature soon reappeared, and kept appearing, all over Valley Green. Photos and videos of the creature were posted all over the internet. After that, the creature became an object of scientific inquiry and popular curiosity. Then, last year, it disappeared.

No one could say for certain where the creature went, but people had their theories: big game hunters; government experimentation; alien abduction; pollution from the Valley Green nuclear plan. Of course, this was all conjecture. And, I’m here to report, quite wrong.

You see, no one studied the creature closer than I did. I spent years watching, learning its habits, its biology. What I discovered I eventually published in Notes on the Creature of Valley Green. But not everything I learned about the creature was published. There were certain facts that I was forbidden from publishing, though I now fear that my own cowardice has endangered the town. I can only hope that by releasing this information now, I can still save Valley Green.

To put it simply, I do not believe the creature is dead. I believe it has fled the valley. Fled, in terror, from its natural predator.

You see, the creature’s natural habitat is not the valley. Its home, before appearing in Valley Green, was in the mountains. But it didn’t reside there alone. No. It lived with others of its kind. I know this because we discovered where it came from. There we found tools, writings. But its home had been abandoned. All we found were empty homes, and surrounding the homes, countless holes, each about the size of a manhole.

Curious, we lowered cameras into the holes, but they were too deep – wherever they went, it was too far and too dark for us to see. And I, for one, was glad to have not seen what lurked in those tunnels. Whatever it was, it was why the creature fled to the valley.

After the creature’s disappearance, my team and I investigated the forest surrounding Valley Green. We didn’t find the creature’s body; there was no sign of it anywhere. What we did find were those holes, dozens of them. Whatever had massacred the creature’s kin had followed it to Valley Green.

Then, yesterday, I saw those same tunnels in town, outside city hall, then more in the park. Recently, there have been reports of missing dogs, cats, and as of this morning, children.

I’m writing now not only to explain what happened to the creature from Valley Green, but to suggest we do the same. I believe the creature has fled, once again, from this ancient predator. And we must flee too, immediately, before it’s too late.