Monongahela Bigfoot

Summer 1960

Marlinton, Davis, and Parsons, WV

One hot, summer evening, W. C. "Doc" Priestly was driving down a country road when his car began acting up; with a sputter, it stalled out on the side of the road. Sighing, Doc started to get out of the vehicle, until he saw a giant, humanoid creature walk out from the treeline, trek across the street, and stand in front of the car. It was covered in long hair—all of which stood up on end as if full of static electricity. It glowered at him and the vehicle but did not move any closer.

Priestly’s friend, ahead of him in a bus, became worried after his friend was out of view for several miles; his car was known to act up, so he backtracked to make sure he didn’t need help. As the bus’ lights came into view, the beast's hair dropped down and it fled into the forest. Doc waved at the other man and started his car without issue; he drove down the road filled with adrenaline and excitement from what he saw.

Suddenly, the creature appeared a second time, bursting through the trees and onto the road, teeth bared. Bewildered, he slammed on the brakes. Noticing Doc’s absence yet again, his friend turned around to find Doc looking into the darkness, his car parked on the roadside. The creature had vanished once more into the woodlands and the car would not start. Turning to his friend, Doc explained everything that had happened, though he was never sure if anyone ever truly believed him.

Several weeks later, campers encountered an 8 ft tall monster covered in shaggy hair; the backpackers screamed and shone lights on its face, revealing big eyes that shone like fire. After stumbling backwards out of the light, it quickly retreated into the darkness without a sound. Many other hikers and outdoorsmen reported this same being that summer; where it went, a slew of car malfunctions followed.

THE VOLTAIC BIGFOOT

One of the more dangerous species of bigfoot, the movement of a Yellow Gape will force animals to flee the immediate area; the scent secreted under its arms is extremely potent, putting animals out of ease. Those that have smelled the creature compare it to a combination of rotten meat, floral perfume, and sulfur.

HABITAT

LOCATIONS DISCOVERED Monongahela National Forest

Sightings are most frequent in the southwestern and northern portions of West Virginia; however, the southwestern grouping is notably more aggressive.

Yellow Gapes hide away in abandoned coal mines, tunnels, and caverns within the forest— usually all are near coal waste sites—only emerging from their abodes during sunset. The bigfeet are not particularly picky of their residences, as long as they are devoid of light and are large enough for their mate and offspring to live in comfortably. Skeletons of these beasts can be found deep within these locations; remains appear similar to human bones but are thicker, denser, and larger overall.

APPEARANCE

Yellow Gapes are covered in thick, brown hair and have two tusk-like teeth that protrude from the bottom lip. Appearing akin to a giant, hunched man, they stand around eight ft tall and weigh between 450 and 550 lbs. They are easily identified by the loud and heavy breathing that emanates from their wide-open mouths; they are also distinguished by their intensely yellow eyes and their dragging footsteps, which create ditch-like tracks instead of discernible, human-like footprints.

Tusks intimidate other creatures but are not used in physical altercations, but for marking territory and scraping bark off to eat. As the teeth are bulky and often grow curved towards the head, the bigfeet are unable to close their mouths because of them. In very rare instances, a Yellow Gape’s tusks may grow outwards, allowing them to comfortably close their mouths.

ACTIVITY

These bigfeet are only active after dusk, leaving their homes to hunt and socialize. Run-ins with Yellow Gape have often resulted in electronic malfunctions or the complete, interior destruction of electrical objects, such as: streetlights or lamps flickering/bursting, cars shutting off, cell phones dying, and appliances turning off and on or ceasing to function.

Yellow Gapes do not like coming into contact with other predators such as bears, canines, or mountain lions. When the bigfoot encounters the aforementioned, they will growl, stand tall, and fluff their hair until it’s standing on end. When threatened, stressed, or experiencing intense emotions, the Yellow Gape will generate electrical pulses which may deliver minor/strong shocks to adversaries. If these tactics don’t scare opponents away, the bigfoot will attempt to flee. In addition to predators, Yellow Gapes fear lights and loud noises and will usually avoid places like cities and busy roads.

REPRODUCTION

Mating season takes place from mid to late summer. Female Yellow Gapes will rub their bodies on trees and rocks within a male’s territory, leaving their distinguishable scent behind. Males also mark the boundaries of their territory with their scent but also cut the bark off of trees with their large tusk-like teeth. Upon meeting, if a male is interested in a mate, they will both reside in the male’s domain. If males are disinterested in a partner, they will puff up and chase off the suitor. Male and female bigfeet stay together for the entirety of a pregnancy and their offspring’s development. The couple may stay together or split after the young leave the nest; moreover, upon separation, either bigfoot may decide to find a new partner or remain alone.

Yellow Gapes give birth to 1 - 3 young in the early spring. Family units generally travel together for nightly activities such as: hunting, gathering, patrolling the perimeter, grooming, building up or cleaning a nest, and exploring outside of the family’s territory. On these outings, young learn how to provide and fend for themselves. Yellow Gapes reach maturity at three years of age. Female offspring are permitted to reside within the territory for a prolonged amount of time, but males are usually chased out of the area once maturity is reached. After siring offspring, if a male no longer wants to be with his mate, he will leave the territory to the female, who may seek out a new mate the following season. Territory may be fought over by both sexes at any time; the winner of these altercations has the explicit right to hunt, breed, and traverse these grounds, permitting only those they allow to also do so.

ANATOMY

Yellow Gapes are named for their yellow eyes and ever-open maws. Their hair strands are thicker, bristlier, and, when frightened, will curl into clusters—making large, sturdy, quill-like spikes. The hair offers protection from predators and other aggressive bigfeet.

This bigfoot has several pairs of large electricity-generating organs that can produce variable voltage charges. These organs are located throughout every section of the body and comprise a majority of the creature’s weight. When the bigfoot becomes frightened or is hunting prey, signals are sent to these organs from the brain, opening their ion channels: sodium flows forth, producing an electric current for 0.25 - 1 second. More often than not, these electric shocks are high voltage but with a low enough current to simply stun a target. However, the discharge of a Yellow Gape can be lethal enough to kill a large animal or human being. When the beast generates electricity, their hair will stand on end for a brief amount of time. This display also frightens away opponents and can assist in attracting a potential mate; many also link this ability to the electrical malfunctions that occur in its wake.

TOURISTRY

Yellow Gapes can become dangerous during an encounter if they are cornered or feel threatened. They will never chase after human individuals but may deliver non-lethal or lethal electrical pulses. Trackers of this species should keep their distance, turn off all lights, and remain quiet to spot Yellow Gapes. Valuable equipment and vehicles should be stored in a different location due to the possibility of electrical damage.