The Path: Death stalks the North American mountains when a giant, deformed cougar is born. The Brights have waited years for the vacation of their dreams. Bill and Linda, with their young sons Mark and Jake, are soon engulfed in terror. The great beast has a taste for human flesh, and many shall meet their bloody fate in Mountain Falls. The huge cat lurched forward from the tall grass, and leapt at the prey. Fear overcame her instinct to run as the elk looked at the giant crashing down upon her. Unable to escape her impending doom, she stood frozen in fright as the creature's huge jaws clamped her neck, clumsily severing flesh and bone. The elk's head toppled to the ground as blood erupted from her neck like a powerful geyser. Beast and prey fell to the earth with thunderous claps as blood continued to spill. Hair flew, muscle ripped, and bones broke. The mad beast fed once more, and gave out a victorious roar. The cry rumbled like thunder across hills and valleys, echoing a warning to all. __________________________________________________________________________________________ I have thoroughly researched the story. I talked with a medical doctor to make sure that it is plausible for a mountain lion, or any mammal, to have this disease and grow to giant and physically powerful proportions! I believe this is a very new idea. There have been a number of mountain lion attacks in the news recently, also. Monster Quest is currently a very popular show on the History channel, and the book would appeal to its viewers, as well as to those seeking a new twist on the horror genre, or just a new author to read. A dearth of deformed monsters or "freaks" of nature tales has been evident lately, and I would like to bring back tales of this type. My motto could be: "I can't scare you unless it is a real possibility!"