Page 3 of The Secret Mate Society

David Murphy's body, discovered by rangers shortly after the boy was rescued, was located roughly a quarter mile uphill from their campsite, showing extensive damage to the torso and head, consistent with a wild animal mauling.However, sources familiar with the scene—speaking on condition of anonymity—have stated that there were unusual aspects to the injuries, including the absence of claw marks typical of bear attacks and deep, narrow puncture wounds that "didn't match a known bite radius."

The Medical Examiner's Office in Warren County is expected to release a preliminary autopsy report later this week.

This is the first fatal wildlife incident in this region of the Adirondacks in over a decade.While black bears are present in the area, attacks on humans are considered extremely rare.Most avoid people entirely unless food is improperly stored.

"This is not something we take lightly," said Ranger Belson."If there's an aggressive animal in the area, we need to identify it.But we're also asking the public not to speculate or panic."

Local reactions have been mixed.Some residents have pointed to past rumors of "strange sightings" in the Bear Hollow region—stories often dismissed as folklore.

"This isn't the first time someone's said they saw something out there," said Dorothy Malin, who runs a small general store in Indian Lake."But no one's ever been killed before.That changes things."Others remain skeptical."It's a terrible tragedy," said Rob Keller, a longtime hiking guide."But there are no monsters in the woods.Just animals being animals."

David E.Murphy worked as a high school guidance counselor and was described by colleagues as "gentle, patient, and deeply devoted to his family."His wife, Karen Murphy, released a brief statement through family friends thanking the community for their support and asking for privacy.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at St.Andrew's Church in Saratoga Springs.

The investigation remains open.Authorities urge hikers to use caution when traveling in remote parts of the park and to follow all wildlife safety protocols.Anyone with information or who may have been in the Bear Hollow area over the weekend is asked to contact the DEC Tip Line at (518) 555-2746.

September 5th, 1997

One of the only photos from the scene of my father’s murder.

It took me a long time to track this one down and no small amount of bribery to get the officer to hand it over.Even then, he only agreed because the case was closed.

This was NOT a bear attack.

-Ethan

Chapter2

Ethan

Eleven Months Later

My car was still full of moving boxes as I pulled up to the office on the outskirts of town.There hadn’t been time to unpack just yet since I’d arrived in town with less than twenty minutes to get to my orientation for the new job.It was a small newspaper in a big town and it paid jack shit for wages.But they hadn’t heard of me and my… past, so they were willing to give me a job.And I was far too desperate to be picky.

Portland, Maine wasn’t really my ideal place to build a life.But after everything I’d been through, it was the only choice I had left.That night I’d lost my job, I saw a creature watching me from the woods.It was a werewolf, plain and simple.But that moment, however exciting and validating, ruined my life.Over the next couple of months I hit rock bottom, losing everything I had except my beater of a car.My mom had to take me in just to keep me off the streets.However, thanks to my lack of sleep and obsession with hunting down the creature, I drove myself until I collapsed.After that, all it took was a doctor signing some papers to put me in a psychiatric hospital for a couple of months.

The first weeks there were some of the hardest of my life.I blamed everyone but myself for how messed up my life was.It took some time, but eventually I learned how to take care of myself again, how to think about something other than the monster that had killed my father.When I finally got out, Mom helped me get my life back in order, get a job, and become a semi-normal person again.Hell, I even got a boyfriend for a moment and remembered what it was like to be twenty-five.

But that relationship ended when I landed the job in Portland.I wasn’t too torn up about it.We both knew it wasn’t a forever situation.But still, it meant I was suddenly on my own again.Living by myself meant I didn’t have anyone to check on me, to make sure I was eating or sleeping.But I was determined to make it by myself this time.Nearly a year of therapy had helped me realize that finding that creature wasn’t going to fix anything.And now that I was moving to a new town, there was no way I’d run into it ever again.

As soon as my car was in park, I jumped out and darted up the sidewalk.A quick check of my watch showed that I was already two minutes late.Fuck.

The moment I pushed through the doors of the Portland Gazette, that familiar scent of paper, ink, and stressed out journalists hit my nostrils.I breathed it in deeply, feeling my body relax.This was what I’d gone to school for, what I’d dreamed of since I was a kid, and where I belonged.Journalism was in my blood.

I approached the receptionist's desk, my heart racing."Hi, I'm Ethan Murphy.I'm here for my orientation?"

The woman behind the desk looked up, her eyes widening slightly."Oh, you're the new guy.They're waiting for you in the conference room.Down the hall, second door on the left."

I nodded my thanks and hurried down the corridor, my footsteps echoing in the quiet building.As I neared the conference room, I could hear muffled voices.I took a deep breath, straightened my tie, and knocked.

"Come in," a deep voice called.

I pushed open the door and stepped inside.Three pairs of eyes turned to me.A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair stood up, extending his hand.

"Mr.Murphy, I presume?I'm Charles Dennison, editor-in-chief.We were beginning to wonder if you'd gotten lost."

I shook his hand, feeling the strength in his grip."I'm so sorry for being late.I just arrived in town and?—”