Deena hated job interviews, but they were part of the process of getting employed and she needed money.
Deena's potential employer lived in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It took Deena hours to find the place as she drove down a dirt road that took her far off the main road.
A magnificent gothic mansion stood at the end of the road. Deena was amazed that someone would build such a structure far out in the wilderness. Deena parked and walked up to a massive wooden door. Ugly gargoyles stared down at her from the roof several stories above. Deena used the old-fashioned knocker and waited. Somehow she expected a butler to answer the door, but it was an ordinary man in in jeans and flannel.
The man smiled, and held out his hand "I'm Mike Hessler and you must be Deena" Deena shook the man's hand and nodded. "Quite a house you have here" Deena commented. "My Grandfather built it. He wanted it to look like a castle from the old country."Mike said as he ushered her in. The house even more amazing inside. Antiques and old paintings lined the walls. Eventually, Mike led her into an office. Stuffed hunting trophies covered the walls. "Grandfather was quite the hunter as well" he said noticing her stare. "Anyway, enough about the past." Mike said abruptly changing the subject. "I am looking for an office professional that can manage all the paperwork for a modern logging operation."
"I have checked your references, and I am prepared to offer you the job right now." Deena had never expected it to be this easy. "I accept" she said. "When can you move in?" Mike asked "Move in?" Deena said surprised. "Because of the weather, my previous office mangers were often unable to get up here, so the only way this could work is if you lived in the house." Deena wasn't crazy about living in the old, strange house, but there was no other way. "I can move in a few days" she said. "Good, I will show you your room." Mike said.
Deena's room overlooked the forest to the west. It was a beautiful view. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad she thought looking at the silent mountains. A week later she was settled in her room and already performing the day to day tasks of office management.
One night after work, Deena sat at her window watching the sun set when she heard what sounded like two animals fighting to the death. Eventually, there was silence and Deena was shocked to watch a massive animal emerge from the forest and head towards the house. Deena rushed downstairs and knocked on Mike's bedroom door. A few moments later, Mike answered looking annoyed. "There is some kind of animal outside!" Deena said urgently. "It was probably just a bear." Mike said. Deena wasn't convinced. "No, I have seen bears, this was huge." Deena insisted. "Well, whatever it was, it can't get in the house, so just go back to bed." Mike said as he closed his door.
Deena felt silly as she headed back to her room. Maybe it was just a bear she thought. The next day, Deena went for a walk and in the nearby woods she found the remains of an animal that had been violently killed. Deena realized that this was the loser of last nights battle. Deena told Mike about what she had found, but he didn't seem terribly concerned about it.
A few mornings later, at breakfast, Deena was reading the local newspaper when she noticed an article about a missing hiker. The woman had disappeared not far from the old house. Deena showed Mike the article and all he said was that hikers get lost all the time and the woman would turn up eventually.
Deena's potential employer lived in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It took Deena hours to find the place as she drove down a dirt road that took her far off the main road.
A magnificent gothic mansion stood at the end of the road. Deena was amazed that someone would build such a structure far out in the wilderness. Deena parked and walked up to a massive wooden door. Ugly gargoyles stared down at her from the roof several stories above. Deena used the old-fashioned knocker and waited. Somehow she expected a butler to answer the door, but it was an ordinary man in in jeans and flannel.
The man smiled, and held out his hand "I'm Mike Hessler and you must be Deena" Deena shook the man's hand and nodded. "Quite a house you have here" Deena commented. "My Grandfather built it. He wanted it to look like a castle from the old country."Mike said as he ushered her in. The house even more amazing inside. Antiques and old paintings lined the walls. Eventually, Mike led her into an office. Stuffed hunting trophies covered the walls. "Grandfather was quite the hunter as well" he said noticing her stare. "Anyway, enough about the past." Mike said abruptly changing the subject. "I am looking for an office professional that can manage all the paperwork for a modern logging operation."
"I have checked your references, and I am prepared to offer you the job right now." Deena had never expected it to be this easy. "I accept" she said. "When can you move in?" Mike asked "Move in?" Deena said surprised. "Because of the weather, my previous office mangers were often unable to get up here, so the only way this could work is if you lived in the house." Deena wasn't crazy about living in the old, strange house, but there was no other way. "I can move in a few days" she said. "Good, I will show you your room." Mike said.
Deena's room overlooked the forest to the west. It was a beautiful view. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad she thought looking at the silent mountains. A week later she was settled in her room and already performing the day to day tasks of office management.
One night after work, Deena sat at her window watching the sun set when she heard what sounded like two animals fighting to the death. Eventually, there was silence and Deena was shocked to watch a massive animal emerge from the forest and head towards the house. Deena rushed downstairs and knocked on Mike's bedroom door. A few moments later, Mike answered looking annoyed. "There is some kind of animal outside!" Deena said urgently. "It was probably just a bear." Mike said. Deena wasn't convinced. "No, I have seen bears, this was huge." Deena insisted. "Well, whatever it was, it can't get in the house, so just go back to bed." Mike said as he closed his door.
Deena felt silly as she headed back to her room. Maybe it was just a bear she thought. The next day, Deena went for a walk and in the nearby woods she found the remains of an animal that had been violently killed. Deena realized that this was the loser of last nights battle. Deena told Mike about what she had found, but he didn't seem terribly concerned about it.
A few mornings later, at breakfast, Deena was reading the local newspaper when she noticed an article about a missing hiker. The woman had disappeared not far from the old house. Deena showed Mike the article and all he said was that hikers get lost all the time and the woman would turn up eventually.
Mike's unconcerned attitude made Deena suspicious. She noticed that he spent a great deal of time in the cellar of the old house and one night she followed him down there and after he had gone inside, she listened at the door. Mike was talking to someone, but it was hard to understand the words through the thick door. Suddenly, the door swung open and Mike pulled her inside.
Deena was shocked to see a massive animal inside of a cage that took up most of the room. The beast stood on two legs, was covered by brown hair and must have been seven feet in height. At the bottom of the cage was the bones of several different creatures, including at least one human skull.
Mike pointed to the beast in the cage. "This is William." Deena laughed at the idea of such a noble sounding name being attached to this monster. The beast growled at her showing inch long fangs. "You probably have a few questions." Mike stated blandly. "I found William in the forest, when he was just a baby and he has been with me ever since."
Deena pointed at the massive animal. "That thing is a killer. You can't just keep him here like a pet dog." "William has a right to live and he needs to hunt to survive." Mike said calmly. "You are insane, and I am calling the police." Deena said as she ran out the cellar door.
Behind her, she heard something huge pursuing her. Deena ran out the front door and to her car, but by the time she got her key out, William was there. Deena looked into the animal's eyes and saw no pity.
Deena was shocked to see a massive animal inside of a cage that took up most of the room. The beast stood on two legs, was covered by brown hair and must have been seven feet in height. At the bottom of the cage was the bones of several different creatures, including at least one human skull.
Mike pointed to the beast in the cage. "This is William." Deena laughed at the idea of such a noble sounding name being attached to this monster. The beast growled at her showing inch long fangs. "You probably have a few questions." Mike stated blandly. "I found William in the forest, when he was just a baby and he has been with me ever since."
Deena pointed at the massive animal. "That thing is a killer. You can't just keep him here like a pet dog." "William has a right to live and he needs to hunt to survive." Mike said calmly. "You are insane, and I am calling the police." Deena said as she ran out the cellar door.
Behind her, she heard something huge pursuing her. Deena ran out the front door and to her car, but by the time she got her key out, William was there. Deena looked into the animal's eyes and saw no pity.
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