"Illya, I'm wounded. Connie is a friend."

The snort that issued from behind him was accompanied with a filthy Slavic curse as Illya swatted another mosquito.

Napoleon smirked as he hacked his way through the thick undergrowth of thesubtropical island. "You realize there is an urban legend about this place don't you my friend?" The American teased lightly as he dodged another vineand side stepped the noxious mud puddle.

"I would hardly think that there is anything urban here to spawn a legend Napoleon." Illya wiped the sweat from his brow and retied the bandana.

"Seriously, according to all the research, there is a legend here that goes back centuries."

The disbelieving snort was cut short as the blond became silent and stopped.

"Illya?" Napoleon turned to look at his friend and immediately concerne draced to his side and grasped the shivering shoulder. "Brat you'relaughing!"

"Oh Napoleon, you and your ghost stories. Now for true terror you should visit the stories of Russia my friend."

"Perhaps, but nevertheless, four separate groups of students have gone missing on this island in the last twenty years. Every five years to theday of the Summer Solstice. Nothing was ever found."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Then they ran away."

"One way on, one way off, no one saw them leave and there are sheer cliffson the north."

"Part of an elaborate hoax then?"

"Doubtful, there are almost a dozen families who have petitioned the relevant authorities for years to determine the whereabouts of theirchildren."

"Then they met with foul play." Illya nodded.

"Again where is the evidence? Their campsites were found intact, everything was as it should be, even to food still cooking over the camp fire. Noevidence of a struggle, or violence, no blood, no bodies, nothing."

"What are you suggesting Napoleon? Alien abduction?"

Napoleon stopped in mid swing and turned grave eyes on his friend. "Oh no Illya, something much, much worse."

"Now I know you're winding me up."

"I am not a devotee of the supernatural Illya but even you with your cold Slavic blood must know there are more things in the woods than man andbeast, and at times the beasts that lurk hunger for more than their world can give."

"You're serious?" Illya frowned.

"Oh yes, I'm very much afraid my friend, that I am."

Next?