The chief's meeting room, though modest in size, comfortably accommodated the seven students. They settled into wooden chairs surrounding a sturdy round table, their attention focused on the village leader as he recounted the unsettling events that had befallen their community.
"It began a month ago," the chief explained, his voice heavy with worry. "One of our hunters vanished without a trace. Then, more disappearances followed. We fear some intelligent creature is preying upon our people."
William had expected to hear tales of monstrous beasts rampaging through the village, but the reality was more insidious. These were kidnappings, carefully orchestrated and shrouded in mystery.
"We discovered some tracks in the woods," the chief continued, "footprints, but nothing conclusive."
