There are still no new developments in what has become the strangest, and possibly the most frightening news story of the year. A small assembly of military troops, camped just out of site of the press, is making no statement about their progress in hunting the mysterious 'Henry County Horror,' which has been attributed to as many as 17 deaths.

Police are being kept back as well. Guards armed with machine guns escorted several officers back to the press area just after dawn. Helicopters continue to fly in patterns over the wood, but so far there has been no gunfire or any sign of confrontation.

Until recently, the target was believed to be an unknown and possibly rabid animal... a pet, belonging to suspected serial kidnapper Alexander Holt. Police raided Holt's residence August 6th and found the remains of local resident, Bonnie Hand, along with items belonging to several other women who'd been reported missing earlier this year. Several days later, the Holt residence was vandalized by what police officers on the scene described as a large, dog-like animal. Since then, the creature dubbed the "Henry County Horror" by residents has left a trail of blood across this small, wooded section of the county. A family of three was attacked and killed while they camped. A husband and wife slaughtered in their trailer-park home. Their bodies missing and presumed eaten. The only witness to that event disappeared shortly after giving a description of a large horned creature to the police. Three police officers guarding the Holt resident were slain when the Horror returned to its presumed lair once again. Professional hunters were called in, and rumors of federal involvement began to circulate among the citizens who had not yet evacuated. And just days ago, nine armed hunters failed to report in after venturing into the woods to find and kill the creature. That event prompted Robert Cook to halt all local efforts to deal with the threat. However, the heavy weaponry, strange equipment, and rumors of troops wearing biological containment suits has lead many to believe that the military-style troops are dealing with something much more dangerous than a wild animal. Whatever it is, police and soldiers remain steadfastly silent about just what is going on at the house of Alexander Holt, and in the woods that surround it.

---