Author's Note: I have been toying with the idea for this story for a long time, and have finally begun writing it. I have done a lot of research, and tried to remain as in-character as possible. I hope you find it an interesting and pleasant read, please be patient as the first few chapters may seem slow. I'd love to hear what you think, but please be kind, I've not written anything a long time, so I may be rusty. Enjoy!

Strange Happenings

John-Boy Walton knocked on the heavy wood door of Professor Parks' office, and went in when he heard the man within call for him to enter. The man behind the desk smiled warmly at John-Boy and motioned to the seat in front of his desk, John -Boy took it.

"You wanted to see me, Sir." John-Boy stated, wondering what his Professor and friend wanted to speak to him about. When John-Boy had first entered Mr. Parks writing class he had felt his writing was inferior to the writing of his fellow classmates. But Prof. Parks had been encouraging, reminding him that most people in the class were older and had more experience with writing. When John-Boy had gotten "published" and became a little too self-important for his own good he had seen disappointment in Mr. Parks' eyes. When it turned out that John-Boy had fallen victim to a vanity press Mr. Parks had been understanding, and proud of him for making that whole experience an example that others could learn from and avoid, by speaking about it in front of his class and over the radio.

"Yes John. Here, read this." Professor Parks said as he slid an opened envelope across the desk to sit before John-Boy, who furrowed his brows in confusion as he picked it up and removed the letter. Why would Mr. Parks wish for him to read his mail? The letter read...

Dear Parks,

I am writing this because there have been some strange goings-on here in Point Pleasant. People are claiming they have seen a creature. Their descriptions of it have all been pretty similar: the form of a tall man, with great wings, and glowing red eyes, greyish skin. At first I felt it was a bunch of hogwash. But I am beginning to feel differently. You know me, you know I am not a man to believe easily in such things, but something is going on here. Everyone who has seen this creature has experienced some sort of accident or tragedy shortly after. I don't know what we are dealing with here, but you are a man of intelligence, you know this place and its people from way back. Perhaps you could spare some time and come help me figure this thing out, like you used to, I can't wrap my mind around it.

Sincerely, Adam Tonson

Intrigued John-Boy folded the letter back up and slipped it into its envelope, placing it back on the desk. Mr. Parks lifted a brow in question and asked, "So, what do you think?"

"Well, I don't know. It is interesting to say the least. Once in a while you hear a person claim they saw a something, but a whole community? It is definitely interesting." John-Boy replied, still confused as to why the Prof. was sharing this with him.

"The man who wrote this letter, he is an old friend, we still keep up now and then. He is also the Sheriff of that town. When he was new to the job and would have an issue he couldn't work out, or something he didn't want to do, he would come talk it over with me, and we'd get things sorted out. I also know he is not the sort of man who would be taken in by a few stories of some fantastical creature. No, if he believes it...or has trouble disbelieving it, then there is something to it." Prof. Parks stated, leaning forward and resting his arms on the desk. John-Boy chewed the inside of his cheek, mulling the letter over in his mind, then he shook his head, drawing himself back to reality.

"But Sir, what does this have to do with me? Why show this to me?" John-Boy asked, though it did make him feel important, that for whatever reason the Prof. had chosen him to share this with.

"Well, I would love to leave here and go help Adam figure this thing out, but it's just not feasible. I have classes to teach. Then I thought of you. You are young and open minded, and you have the Blue Ridge Chronicle. I thought perhaps you might like to go in my place, figure out what is going on there. It could make for a very interesting story for your newspaper, John." The Prof. explained. John-Boy smiled and shook his head.

"Sir, I appreciate the thought, but I have classes. And when I'm not busy with homework and the newspaper I'm needed to help run the mill. I just don't see how I could go." John-Boy answered, though the allure of going and helping piece this mystery together was enticing. John leaned back in his chair, bringing one foot up to rest on his knee, and then suddenly he sat straight up in the chair, "What would I even do there?" He asked with an awkward smile.

"Well," Parks began, tilting his head as he considered it. "You could talk to the people who have seen this thing. Accompany the Sheriff when he investigates any new reports. Have him take you to the places it was seen in before."

In seeming surprise John-Boy leaned forward in his seat. "People have seen some strange demonic looking creature and you want me to go traipsing around looking for it?" He asked incredulously.

"But John, you'd be with the Sheriff. And besides, you killed that bear that attacked your father. You have gone chasing foxes up the mountain and in the woods at night. I'm sure you've had your share of creepy moments in the dark, of looking for something that may harm you." Prof. Parks reasoned. John-Boy nodded stiffly.

"But those were bears, and foxes...not mysterious creatures capable of flight and leaving disasters in their wake. Oh I don't even know why I'm getting worked up, I can't go, and even if I could this is nonsense. There is no beast out there like that. No, someone glimpsed something in the night and got the ball rolling, now everyone has caught the itch, they all want to see something unexplainable and creepy. They all want something to blame for the unfortunate circumstances they've endured, but that isn't reasonable." John-Boy countered.

The Prof. sighed and drummed his fingers on the desk for a moment as he thought, then he looked back at John-Boy. "John, I think every now and then we have to expose ourselves to things outside of our comfort zone, things we may not even believe in. You are most likely right about it all being imagined, but there is that slim chance it's real...and in that slim chance is a whole lot of possibility for a writer. And even if you were to go and find nothing, or find some completely believable explanation, you would still have a great story to head your newspaper with." The Prof. murmured, ending with a conspiratorial smile.

"That might be true Professor, but I've got a whole lot of real things that require my attention...I can't go chasing fantasies through the woods right now." John said with a tight smile, then he rose, preparing to leave.

"Well, I understand of course. But if you should change your mind, I can get you excused from your classes. Think about it will you?" Mr. Parks asked, raising his brows for emphasis. John-Boy nodded as he began to back towards the door. "I will do that Professor. Thank you for the offer." He said genuinely, and then he turned and strode from the office back into the University hallways, where he was surrounded by conversation and the noise of regular things going on. The conversation he had just had seemed almost imaginary as he took in all the familiar sights and sounds around him, that topic didn't fit into the real world.