Meanwhile, in Valentine Nebraska, inside a local bar, four men were having a heated discussion.
"What do you mean we can't do anything?! Are you guys scared of going into the woods? My older sister was taken. We need to do something!"
The young man who had spoken, was the younger brother of the latest abduction case victim. His name was Godrick Lorimayer.
He was a twenty-two-year-old, strapping young lad, who loved hunting and tractor racing. But contrary to his appearance, and his red-neck hobbies, Godrick was quite a loving brother and considerate friend.
So when his sister's best friend, who he had known for years, came back spouting that his sister Laura had been taken by small green men in the woods, he believed her without a second thought.
"Godrick! You can't seriously believe the words and Katty! She was clearly delusional! Little green men? Come on Godrick!" the smaller man of the bunch said.
"Yeah, come on, man. There is no way there are aliens in the woods. Katty probably panicked and hallucinated when they were attacked by a bear or somethin'!" a short fatty guy said.
"Calm down, guys. Whatever it was, we should still at least go look for her. Godrick is our friend, and his sister is like our sister. We owe him that."
The last one that spoke was a little older than the others, ranging closer to thirty years old. He was a handsome man, with squarish features, and large shoulders.
"You only say that cuz you hope she's alive and you can save her, Robby! We all know you have a thing for Laura!" the slim man said.
"Shut up Finn. My feeling for his sister has nothing to do with wanting to help him find her. I would help any of you if a family member was missing. Why are you all suddenly being pussies?"
Finn reared from the insult. The words badly hurt his fragile ego, and he wanted to jump in his friend's face, to fight.
"Put your dicks away, guys! We aren't here to compare sizes. I asked you here to ask for help to find my sister. And, up to now, only one of you said yes to helping me, and it's Robby. I thought we were brothers!"
Two of his friends lowered their heads. Not that they feared the woods.
They had trekked those woods countless times since they were kids. But they knew Laura.
Laura was a fierce woman, and she wouldn't have gone down without a fight, against anything. And yet, the fact that Katty reported no gunshots, or screams of distress, meant that whatever got here, did so by surprise.
Wild animals, they could deal with. But an intelligent enemy?
They shivered at the thought.
"What if it really is aliens, like Katty said?" The fatty said.
"Seriously? Aliens, Leeroy? You think aliens did this? How stupid can you be? It was clearly a black bear or somethin'."
Finn looked convinced of his version, like it was the absolute truth.
"Finn. The sheriff said there were only old traces of a bear, where Laura went missing. How could you be so sure?" Robby asked.
"Oh sure! You would rather believe crazy Katty, that little green men took your love, wouldn't you? That way, she might still be alive!"
"Hey! Don't call my cousin crazy, you little shitbag!"
"Call me little again, asshat! I dare you!"
*Bang!*
The entire bar quieted down, as the owner pumped his shotgun, an empty shell falling out.
"If you boys don't simmer down, I will shoot each one of you."
His threat got the message across, and all four of them lowered their voices.
"I'm sorry, Roland. We'll behave," Godrick apologized.
"Listen, son. I know what it feels like to lose a family member. We are all with you in this. But keep your friends in check. You are bothering everyone else."
"I'm sorry, Roland," the three other guys said, at the same time.
"You better be, you troublesome lot."
Putting the shotgun under the counter again, Roland turned to his friend sitting at the bar. The gruff old man was laughing in his mustache.
The four friends returned to their conversation, but in a more civilized and quiet manner.
"Listen, Godrick. I know you want to find your sister. But we should at least wait until we have some daylight. It's the middle of the night, and we could end up injuring ourselves," Finn said.
His fears were justified, and everyone around their table knew. But Godrick and Robby weren't bothered by the darkness. Godrick opened his mouth.
"Finn. I have seen you run these woods, on a moonless night, piss drunk. You aren't afraid of hurting yourself. And Leeroy, your paranoia is the reason you barely talk to women and are still alone. You guys need to man up here. I would shake the earth and seas for you guys. At least show me the same respect."
The two friends lowered their heads in shame. Godrick was right.
He had proven more than once that he was always there for them or their family. Whether it be to give a helping hand, or to defend their honour.
After keeping their head low for a minute, Leeroy lifted his.
"Fine, I'll help. But if we get abducted by aliens, I'm blaming you until I die!"
"Thank you, Leeroy. What about you, Finn?"
Finn looked at the table for a few more seconds, before grabbing his mug, and emptying its contents in one go. After slamming the mug back on the table, he looked Godrick in the eye.
"Fine! I'll help you. But if anyone gets hurt, It'll be your fault!"
"I will take the blame. Thank you guys."
Now that everyone was on the same page, they quickly finished their drinks, before walking out to Godrick's truck. In the back of the truck, guns were resting in the truck bed.
There was an arsenal there, and all three of his friends smiled.
"You came prepared, I see," Robby said.
"Of course I did. I didn't want to waste any more time. Get in, boys. We are going hunting."
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