The sunlight peeking through the cracks of the bedroom window blinds woke Michael up early the next morning. Groaning, he turned onto his back and flung his left arm over his eyes, hiding them from the bright light.

He heard and felt April shifting beside him and turned over on his left side to face her. She smiled back at him and moved closer to him, placing her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

"We should get started," Michael murmured.

April opened her eyes and sighed. "Yeah."

"You said you wanted to start early on research so we could head out before noon to search the area people have been disappearing," Michael reminded her.

April sat up. "I'm up; I'm up."

Michael laughed and slid out of bed.

April did the same, heading for the closet.

As she passed her full-length mirror, she paused to glance at her body's reflection in it. Wearing only her black bra and underwear, she was able to spot it - a slight pudge at her middle.

She studied the bump long enough for Michael to become concerned. "Are you alright, April?"

April shook her head. "Yeah, yeah. Of course. I just need to lay off on the pretzels I've been munching on at the bar lately."

Michael grabbed her arm as she was about to pass him to get to the closet, and she turned in place to receive his kiss.

"You look fine, April," he assured her. "More than fine."

April blushed. "Thanks."

She reached for the closet door and opened it.

A couple hours later they were sitting at the kitchen table doing research with Toby lying by their feet, sleeping off his morning romp outdoors and his breakfast.

Michael looked up from the list he'd created to April as she shut the lid of her laptop.

"This is frustrating," she huffed. "Nothing I've researched could describe how that man that was found last night was killed. Or at least, the toe and hand that was found. What kind of creature eats its victims whole?"

"Ogres," Michael said, pointing to the name on the list he'd created.

"Ogres?" April raised her eyebrows. "But Charlie just came back from a hunt for one. Didn't you say that they're rare?"

"Yes," Michael confirmed. "So it is unlikely we're going after the same thing. More likely, it's an orc."

"Orc?" April shook her head. "I've never heard of that before."

"They're also quite rare," Michael explained. "But like ogres, they're big, ugly, bow-legged, brutal, and have a deep-seated desire for fresh human meat."

April shuddered. "I will never be able to watch Shrek ever again."

Michael crumpled his list in his right hand.

"Okay, so, how do we kill an orc?" April asked.

"Cutting the head off works best," Michael answered.

"Machete, check," April muttered.

"But we'll need to bring other weapons along as well," Michael said. "I cannot be one hundred percent sure if this is the creature attacking the campers until we lay eyes on it."

"But you're pretty sure?" April questioned.

Michael nodded. "Yes."

"Alright then." April stood. "I'll go get Toby's leash, bowls, bed, and some toys and then we can grab our camping gear and weapons before leaving to drop him off at Maggie's house on our way to the camp ground."

Toby whined, sat up, and looked at her with sad eyes, as if he knew.

April kneeled down beside him to scratch his ear. "It's just for a few days, boy, and you know Maggie. She works at the bar when Michael and I need an extra hand or take days off."

Toby licked April's cheek.

"I know, I'll miss you too," she laughed.

Michael smiled as he watched her interact with the dog. They really had a special bond.

April stood and headed for Toby's bed that was lying in the living room with the canine at her heels, his tail waving back and forth.