The next morning began with far greater importance than the previous day.
Both Professor Jones and Martin knew—they were no longer dealing with mere assumptions. They had come very close to the truth. So, today's preparation was even more precise.
As the soft morning light fell over the forest, they set out. But today, they were not alone—four tribal youths accompanied them. There was alertness in their eyes, but along with it, a sense of determination. It was as if they had silently taken upon themselves the responsibility of protecting their forest.
One of the youths, named Birsa, was leading the way. He knew every turn of the forest, every tree, every path.
"If we go this way, we'll reach the interior quickly," he said in a low voice.
As they entered the forest, today's atmosphere felt different. Unlike the previous day, it wasn't just about beauty—there was an invisible tension spread all around. The birds were still calling, the wind was still there, but amidst everything, a suppressed silence seemed to prevail.
As he walked, Jones carefully observed his surroundings. His eyes caught every small detail—broken branches, marks on the ground, cut portions of trees.
After walking some distance, they came across the same sight again—cut sal trees.
But today's scene was more alarming.
Here, it wasn't just one or two—many trees had been cut together. Thick trunks lay scattered on the ground, some already chopped into pieces. Sawdust was spread all around.
Martin stopped and looked around.
"This is a large operation…"
Jones bent down and examined a trunk.
"Yes. This isn't the work of ordinary thieves. A whole group is working here."
One of the youths spoke softly,
"We used to come here often. To collect wood, fruits, honey… but now…"
He stopped.
Jones looked at him.
"Now?"
The youth lowered his head.
"Now we don't come because of fear. At night, strange sounds are heard… and that bear…"
Jones stood up.
"This fear is their greatest weapon."
Martin agreed.
"Scaring people away is the easiest way."
They moved deeper.
The forest was now much denser. Light could barely enter. The air was heavy, and a kind of subdued darkness surrounded them.
Suddenly, Birsa raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"Quiet."
Everyone froze.
Somewhere in the distance there was movement.
The sound of leaves crunching.
Jones slowly raised his binoculars to his eyes.
For a moment, his breath seemed to stop.
"There…" he whispered.
Everyone looked in that direction.
A shadow was standing at a distance.
At first glance, it seemed like a bear. Its body structure, its hairy form—everything suggested that.
But…
Something didn't match.
The way the shadow was standing—it had a strange human posture. And its movement—slightly artificial, slightly unnatural.
Martin said slowly,
"Is that… really a bear?"
Jones didn't take his eyes off it.
"No…"
He focused more carefully.
"That's a man…"
Everyone was stunned.
One of the youths whispered,
"A man?"
Just then, the shadow moved.
But the way it moved made it even more suspicious. Not on all fours like a bear, but strangely—at times balancing on two legs.
And then suddenly—
The shadow disappeared.
As if it had never been there.
Everyone stood still, holding their breath for a few seconds.
Martin said slowly,
"How is that possible?"
Jones replied in a low voice,
"They saw us… and hid."
Birsa looked around.
"There's an old path here. Maybe they escaped through it."
Martin quickly said,
"Let's go!"
They ran to the spot where the shadow had been standing.
Again, those strange footprints on the ground.
But this time, clearer.
Jones bent down and examined them.
"See? Same pattern."
Martin said,
"So someone is making footprints like a bear?"
Jones nodded.
"Yes. And these footprints are what's misleading everyone."
They started searching around.
A little further away, they saw something partially hidden behind bushes.
Martin went forward and pulled it out.
A thick cloth—dark brown in color, with something like fur attached to it.
Everyone looked at each other.
"This…" Martin said.
Jones replied calmly,
"A bear disguise."
One of the youths said in astonishment,
"You mean someone is deliberately dressing up as a bear?"
Jones said,
"Exactly. To scare people."
Martin said deeply,
"And in the meantime… timber theft."
Jones stood up. There was now a clear determination in his eyes.
"There is no more doubt."
He looked around.
"We are on the right track."
The wind began to blow a little stronger. Leaves rustled, and a strange sound spread through the forest.
As if the forest itself was trying to tell them something.
Martin said slowly,
"This is not just a mystery… this is a planned crime."
Jones said,
"And we are very close now."
Both of them looked at each other.
The same thought in their eyes—
This time, they must go till the end.
Deep within the forest, the truth hidden behind the darkness would not remain concealed for long.