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She lifted the hem of her shirt to reveal a cut across her abdomen.
“Animal attack?” I queried.
She nodded. “It was big. I think it was a giant bear. I was so shocked, all I could think about was getting away.”
“Well, you managed that part well enough. What were you doing in the woods?”
“Hiking.”
“Alone and in those shoes?” I squinted at her. “What were you really doing there?”
She lowered her gaze to the floor. “I was supposed to meet this guy I met online, but he didn’t show. I waited an hour past the time he said in case he was running late. I just decided to leave when I got attacked.”
“How did you get away?” Bears were faster than most people believed.
“I ran as fast as I could. I picked up a log and threw it behind me. Maybe I hit it or scared it off. I didn’t stop to look.” Tears filled her eyes again. “I almost died.”
“But you didn’t. Got a number for this guy you were supposed to meet?” Maybe this was connected to Ashley after all.
She seemed momentarily dazed. After snapping to attention, she pulled her phone from her pocket and opened an app to show me. “His name is Theo.”
“Or that’s what he said his name is. Why did he want to meet in the woods?” And why would this girl think it was a smart idea?
“He was very romantic. He talked about these nature poets like Walden and Thoreau. I thought if he liked poetry, that was a good sign.”
“Serial killers can like poetry,” I pointed out.
Nana Pratt gasped. “Lorelei, this young woman is traumatized. Less judgment and more compassion, please.”
I changed tacks. “Where do you live, Lyra?”
“She isn’t local,” Nana Pratt said. “I’d know her face.”
“Outside Port Jervis. I took the bus to Fairhaven and walked the rest of the way.”
Nana Pratt crossed her arms, satisfied. “See? Told you.”
“Do you live with your parents?”
Her face paled. “Please don’t call them. My dad is so strict. He’ll punish me for the rest of my life if he finds out I went to meet a strange man in the woods.”
“Maybe a little punishment isn’t such a bad idea. Might teach you a lesson.”
She gestured to her wounds. “You think this isn’t punishment enough?”
“You’re going to need to make sure these wounds don’t get infected. I don’t know how you’ll manage without telling your parents. They’ll want you to see a doctor.”
“They won’t take me anywhere. We don’t have health insurance,” she admitted.
I understood that all too well.
I’d have to mention the animal attack to the chief. She might want to speak to Lyra.
“Why don’t you give me your number?”
Lyra fixed me with a wary eye. “Why?”
“There’ve been a rash of animal attacks lately. The chief of police is looking into them. She may want to talk to you.”
