PART 5: He Found Bigfoot Footage on His Trail Cam in Alaska 2026, Then Made the Mistake of Going Back
THE FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HIM — PART 5
THE PLACE BETWEEN THE TREES
The cabin was gone.
Alex stood in the snow.
But there was no cabin.
No staircase.
No desk.
No photographs.
No Marcus.
No Daniel.
Nothing.
Only trees.
He turned slowly.
The forest looked exactly as it had when he first entered it.
Tall pines.
Heavy snow.
Gray morning sky.
For several seconds, Alex couldn’t understand what had happened.
Then he looked down.
His footprints were gone.
He was standing on untouched snow.
Alex’s breathing became shallow.
“Marcus?”
Nothing.
“Daniel?”
Nothing.
He checked his phone.
The screen was black.
He pressed the power button.
Nothing.
He pressed it again.
Nothing.
Then the screen suddenly turned on.
The battery showed:
100%.
Alex stared at it.
The date was wrong.
October 14, 2019.
He nearly dropped the phone.
“No.”
He checked again.
The same date.
October 14, 2019.
Seven years earlier.
Alex looked around.
The forest was different.
The snow was thinner.
The trees were smaller.
The air smelled different.
Then he heard something.
A truck engine.
Alex turned.
A vehicle moved between the trees.
An old pickup.
It stopped near a clearing.
The driver’s door opened.
A man stepped out.
Alex recognized him immediately.
Daniel Mercer.
But Daniel looked younger.
Much younger.
He slammed the truck door and walked toward the clearing.
Alex watched from behind a tree.
Daniel was carrying a camera.
A trail camera.
He placed it against a tree.
Camera 7.
Alex’s heart began pounding.
He looked at the date again.
October 14, 2019.
The first day.
The beginning.
Or at least the beginning of what Daniel had written about.
Alex stepped closer.
Daniel suddenly stopped.
He looked directly toward Alex’s hiding place.
Alex froze.
Daniel couldn’t see him.
He was seven years younger.
This was impossible.
Daniel stared into the trees for several seconds.
Then he said:
“I know you’re there.”
Alex’s blood turned cold.
Daniel walked closer.
Alex backed away.
Daniel stopped.
“You don’t have to hide.”
Alex stepped into view.
Daniel’s face went pale.
The camera in his hand slipped slightly.
“Who are you?”
Alex couldn’t answer.
Daniel stared at him.
Then his expression changed.
Recognition.
Not of Alex’s face.
Of something else.
He whispered:
“No.”
Alex swallowed.
“You know me?”
Daniel took one step backward.
“I know what you become.”
THE FIRST NIGHT
Alex followed Daniel.
He didn’t understand why.
He knew he should run.
But every answer he had been searching for seemed to lead back to this moment.
The first camera.
The first encounter.
The beginning of the footsteps.
Daniel entered a small cabin.
Alex followed.
Inside, everything looked new.
The same table.
The same stove.
The same maps.
But there were no photographs.
No notebooks.
No warnings.
Daniel placed the camera on the table.
Then he looked at Alex.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I don’t know how I got here.”
Daniel stared at him.
“Of course you don’t.”
“What is this place?”
“October 2019.”
“I know.”
Daniel frowned.
“You shouldn’t know.”
Alex stepped closer.
“Tell me about Camera Zero.”
Daniel immediately became silent.
Then he locked the door.
“How do you know that name?”
“Because you told me.”
“I’ve never met you.”
“You will.”
Daniel’s face became pale.
Alex continued.
“You’ll write about the Watchers.”
Daniel stared.
“You’ll disappear.”
“I won’t disappear.”
“You do.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
Alex pulled the memory card from his pocket.
Daniel saw it.
His expression changed.
“Where did you get that?”
“From you.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“That’s impossible.”
Alex held it out.
Daniel didn’t take it.
Instead, he whispered:
“Who sent you?”
Alex thought about Marcus.
“The Watchers.”
Daniel stepped backward.
“Then it’s already started.”
A sound came from outside.
Three clicks.
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Don’t move.”
Alex listened.
Three clicks again.
Closer.
Daniel walked toward the window.
He slowly lifted the curtain.
Alex stood beside him.
Nothing.
Then a shadow moved between the trees.
Daniel lowered the curtain.
“We have to leave.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere but here.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked at him.
“Because they know you’re here.”
Alex stared at the younger Daniel.
“They’ve known about me for years.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“What?”
“They’ve known about you for much longer than that.”
Alex felt the same cold sensation he’d felt in the cabin.
“How long?”
Daniel looked at the memory card.
“Since before you were born.”
They left through the back door.
Daniel carried a rifle.
Alex carried nothing.
The forest looked almost peaceful.
That was what frightened him most.
No creatures.
No footprints.
No sounds.
Daniel walked quickly.
Alex followed.
After ten minutes, Daniel stopped.
“We’re going to Camera 7.”
Alex stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because that’s where it begins.”
“You said we should leave.”
“We can’t.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked toward the trees.
“Because once they notice someone, they don’t stop.”
A branch moved.
Daniel raised his rifle.
Nothing.
Then another branch.
Alex whispered:
“How many?”
Daniel shook his head.
“They don’t always travel together.”
“What are they?”
Daniel looked at him.
“I don’t know.”
“You’ve seen them.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve studied them.”
“Yes.”
“Then what do you know?”
Daniel was silent for several seconds.
Then he said:
“They aren’t born.”
Alex frowned.
“What?”
“They’re made.”
“Made by who?”
Daniel looked at him.
“Us.”
CAMERA 7
They reached the clearing.
Alex recognized it immediately.
The same clearing from the future video.
The same trees.
The same snow.
But there was no snow around the camera.
The ground was covered with dead leaves.
Daniel approached Camera 7.
He checked the batteries.
Then he looked at Alex.
“Stand over there.”
“Why?”
“I need to see something.”
Alex moved beside a tree.
Daniel activated the camera.
A red light blinked.
Then stopped.
Nothing happened.
Daniel checked the display.
His face changed.
“What?”
He turned the screen toward Alex.
There was an image.
The clearing.
Daniel standing beside the camera.
Alex standing beside the tree.
And behind Alex…
a dark figure.
Alex turned.
Nothing.
He looked at the screen again.
The figure was closer.
Daniel stared.
“That’s impossible.”
Alex whispered:
“It knows we’re watching.”
The image changed.
Now there were two figures.
One behind Daniel.
One behind Alex.
Daniel turned.
Nothing.
The image changed again.
Four figures.
Then eight.
Then sixteen.
Daniel dropped the camera.
The display continued changing.
The figures multiplied.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
The entire forest appeared filled with them.
Alex looked into the trees.
For the first time, he could see faint shapes.
Not clearly.
But enough.
They were everywhere.
Daniel whispered:
“They’re not coming.”
Alex looked at him.
“They’re already here.”
Then the camera spoke.
A voice came from the device.
Alex’s voice.
“Daniel.”
Daniel stepped backward.
The camera repeated:
“Daniel.”
Then:
“Don’t let him remember.”
Alex looked at Daniel.
“Remember what?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
The camera continued.
“He’s not Alex.”
Alex froze.
Daniel looked at him.
The camera said:
“He’s the door.”
The forest went silent.
Then Daniel raised his rifle.
Not toward the trees.
Toward Alex.
Alex stared at him.
“Daniel.”
“Don’t move.”
“Put the gun down.”
“I can’t.”
“You said you knew what I become.”
“I do.”
“What do I become?”
Daniel’s finger tightened around the trigger.
“The first one.”
Alex’s heart stopped.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.
“You were never supposed to come back.”
Alex stepped backward.
“Come back from where?”
Daniel lowered the rifle slightly.
“Camera Zero.”
Alex shook his head.
“I’ve never been there.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You’ve been there your entire life.”
A sound came from behind them.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
THUD.
Daniel turned.
Alex turned.
A figure stood between the trees.
It was enormous.
Its arms hung nearly to its knees.
Its head was tilted.
Its face was hidden in shadow.
Then another figure appeared.
And another.
Daniel whispered:
“Don’t look at them.”
Alex stared.
“Why?”
“They learn faster when you look at them.”
One of the figures stepped forward.
Its face became visible.
Alex recognized it.
It was Marcus.
But older.
Much older.
His face was covered in scars.
His hair was gray.
He looked exhausted.
Alex’s voice trembled.
“Marcus?”
The creature wearing Marcus’s face smiled.
Daniel whispered:
“That’s not Marcus.”
The figure spoke.
“Alex.”
Alex stepped forward.
Daniel grabbed his arm.
“No.”
The figure smiled.
“You left me there.”
Alex stared.
“Where?”
The creature pointed toward the ground.
The snow began moving.
A circular shape appeared beneath their feet.
A symbol.
The same one from Camera 7.
The earth cracked.
Daniel pulled Alex backward.
“Run!”
They ran.
Behind them, the forest erupted.
Branches snapped.
Trees shook.
The creatures began moving.
Not running.
Jumping.
They moved between trees with impossible speed.
Daniel fired once.
The shot echoed.
A figure dropped.
Then stood again.
Daniel fired twice more.
Nothing.
“Keep moving!”
Alex ran beside him.
“Where?”
“Camera Zero!”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the only place they can’t follow.”
Alex looked at him.
“How do you know?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
They reached a steep slope.
Below them was a valley.
At the center stood a massive structure.
Concrete.
Rusting metal.
Half buried beneath the mountain.
Alex stopped.
“What is that?”
Daniel stared down.
“Camera Zero.”
Alex looked at the structure.
It wasn’t a camera.
It was a building.
An underground facility.
A huge steel door sat at its entrance.
Above it was a symbol.
Three lines.
One slash.
And beneath it:
PROJECT WATCHER
Alex’s stomach dropped.
“Who built this?”
Daniel whispered:
“We did.”
PROJECT WATCHER
They entered the facility.
The steel door opened automatically.
Daniel froze.
“It should be locked.”
Alex looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because nobody has been inside for seven years.”
Alex looked down the corridor.
Emergency lights flickered.
The walls were covered with photographs.
Not of creatures.
Of people.
Scientists.
Soldiers.
Hunters.
Children.
Families.
Every photograph had a number.
SUBJECT 001.
SUBJECT 002.
SUBJECT 003.
Alex stopped.
A photograph showed Daniel.
SUBJECT 041.
Another showed Marcus.
SUBJECT 042.
Then Alex.
His photograph had no number.
Only one word.
ORIGIN.
Alex stared.
“Daniel.”
Daniel didn’t answer.
“What’s Origin?”
Daniel looked at him.
“I don’t know.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why is my photograph here?”
Daniel looked away.
“Because I found it.”
“When?”
“Seven years ago.”
Alex stepped closer.
“Before you met me?”
Daniel nodded.
“Then how did you know what I looked like?”
Daniel’s eyes filled with fear.
“I didn’t.”
He pointed toward the photograph.
“It was already there.”
Alex approached it.
The photograph showed him standing inside the facility.
But he looked different.
Older.
Behind him stood Marcus.
And Daniel.
And four creatures.
Alex touched the photograph.
It changed.
The image moved.
Like a video.
Alex watched himself turn toward the camera.
His future self smiled.
Then spoke.
“Daniel.”
Daniel stepped backward.
The photograph continued.
“Don’t let Alex reach the chamber.”
Alex stared.
“What chamber?”
The photograph showed a steel door.
Behind it was darkness.
Then the future Alex said:
“If he remembers, they all come back.”
The image ended.
Alex turned toward Daniel.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
A distant sound echoed through the facility.
THUD.
One footstep.
Then another.
THUD.
Then another.
THUD.
The creatures had entered.
Daniel looked down the corridor.
“We have to go.”
“Where?”
Daniel pointed toward the steel door.
“The chamber.”
Alex stared.
“You just told me not to reach it.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I know.”
“Then why are we going there?”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Because I finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
Daniel looked directly into Alex’s eyes.
“The reason they want you to remember.”
The footsteps grew louder.
Daniel grabbed the door handle.
“You’re not their prisoner.”
He opened the door.
“You’re their creator.”
Alex froze.
Beyond the door was a circular chamber.
At its center stood a machine.
Old.
Massive.
Covered in cables.
And inside the machine was a glass cylinder.
Something was floating inside.
Alex stepped closer.
His breath caught.
It was a human body.
A man.
Unconscious.
Suspended in dark liquid.
Alex stared at the face.
It was his face.
But older.
Scarred.
Eyes closed.
Daniel whispered:
“That’s you.”
Alex couldn’t breathe.
“No.”
The body inside the cylinder opened its eyes.
Alex stepped backward.
The older version of himself looked directly at him.
Then it smiled.
The chamber lights turned red.
A voice came through the speakers.
Not Daniel.
Not Marcus.
Not the creatures.
Alex’s own voice.
“Finally.”
Daniel raised his rifle.
The voice continued.
“You came back.”
Alex stared at the body.
“What are you?”
The older Alex smiled.
“I told you.”
The lights flickered.
“I am the first.”
The chamber door slammed shut.
Daniel screamed.
Something struck the other side.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The glass cylinder began cracking.
Alex backed away.
The older version of himself lifted one hand.
The cables around the machine began disconnecting.
Daniel shouted:
“Alex, don’t let it out!”
But it was already too late.
The glass shattered.
Dark liquid flooded the floor.
The older Alex fell forward.
He caught himself on one hand.
Then slowly stood.
He looked exactly like Alex.
Only older.
Scarred.
Exhausted.
And terrified.
He looked at Daniel.
Then at Alex.
“You need to listen to me.”
Alex couldn’t speak.
The older version stepped closer.
“They’re not trying to kill you.”
“What are they doing?”
The older Alex looked toward the chamber door.
“They’re trying to stop you from remembering what happened the first time.”
Alex whispered:
“What happened?”
The older Alex’s face changed.
“They made us.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
The older Alex looked at him.
“You know it’s true.”
The footsteps outside stopped.
Every sound disappeared.
The older Alex stared at the door.
Then whispered:
“They’re here.”
Alex looked toward the steel door.
A shadow appeared beneath it.
Then another.
Then another.
The older Alex stepped toward Alex.
“When that door opens…”
He grabbed Alex’s arm.
“…whatever you hear, don’t follow the footsteps.”
Alex looked at him.
“Why?”
The older Alex stared into his eyes.
“Because the footsteps behind you…”
The door began opening.
“…aren’t theirs.”
Alex’s blood turned cold.
“Whose are they?”
The older Alex looked over Alex’s shoulder.
His face became terrified.
“Yours.”
Alex slowly turned.
There was nothing behind him.
Then—
THUD.
A footprint appeared on the floor.
Behind him.
Another.
THUD.
Closer.
Another.
THUD.
The footsteps were approaching.
But nobody was there.
The older Alex whispered:
“Don’t turn around.”
Alex closed his eyes.
The footsteps came closer.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Then a voice whispered directly behind him.
His own voice.
“Alex…”
He opened his eyes.
The older version of himself was staring at him.
But there was blood running from his nose.
“Don’t look.”
The voice behind him whispered again.
“Alex…”
Then it said something that made the entire room go silent.
Something only Alex could possibly know.
A secret from his childhood.
A memory he had never told anyone.
A sentence his mother had whispered to him when he was six years old.
Alex’s eyes widened.
The older Alex began crying.
“Now you remember.”
Alex slowly turned.
And this time…
someone was standing behind him.
It wasn’t a creature.
It wasn’t Marcus.
It wasn’t Daniel.
It wasn’t even his older self.
It was a little boy.
Six years old.
Standing barefoot in the darkness.
Staring directly at him.
The boy smiled.
Then whispered:
“You’re finally coming home.”
The lights went out.
And somewhere deep inside Camera Zero…
hundreds of footsteps began running toward them.
