It was a mild spring day when Sam Wolf Scheidl and his good friend Alan Hoefel

went missing in the hills of Adaminaby.

Adaminaby Station Sergeant, Mike Stiller, had been called in on his rostered day off
and wasnt at all happy about it. At the time of the call he was in the process of
loading up his Rover with fishing gear. Hed been looking forward to a days fishing
down on lake Crackenback for weeks now. His boss, Superintendent Joan Cantrell,
had called him herself.
Mike, she said we need you down at the station ASAP. Got a potential missing
persons case.
Jesus! You know this is my RDO right? Mike complained.
I know Mike but this one has media tied to it and we want it rapped up before it gets
out of hand.
Mike looked at his watch. It was 10:02am. Damn it, he thought to himself.
I cant Maam, Im just too busy. Mike feebly argued.
You wanted to go fishing right? How about you get this sorted and Ill give you next
weekend off?
She had that persistent tone in her voice. Mike knew it was futile to resist her when
she got like this.
Two for one huh? Alright but you owe me.
Mike quickly unpacked his Rover, threw his uniform on and raced into town. He
noticed a white van with an Endemol Shine logo on the side of it parked in the
visitors bay. As Mike entered the station, he spotted the van owners in the foyer, two
well dressed middle aged men. Mike ignored them, pressed his pin into the keypad
and entered the door at the rear of the station. His leading senior constable, Jeff
Conway, was leafing through a manila folder while his other constable, Tina
Chambers was busy typing something on her computer.
Jeff, Tina, Mike said by way of greeting. Get me up to speed. Who are the suits out
front?
Jeff looked up from his folder. Theyre from channel ten I think. Jeff always spoke
slowly and rarely said more than he needed to.
Roger and Everett, Tina chimed in. Thats their names. I remembered them coz if
you say them fast enough, it sounds like Roger Ebert the film critic. Im doing
background checks on them now. Tina was much smaller than both Mike and Jeff but
she made up for her diminutive stature with an aggressive can do attitude.
According to this, theyre from a company called Endemol Shine its a casting
agency used by the networks to

Yeah I know what they do Tina, Mike interrupted. What are they here for and how
are they connected to our case?
They were making a show I think. Jeff said.
What show? Mike asked.
Dont know Sarge, Jeff replied before sitting behind his desk. I can find out for you
or you can ask them.
Point taken. Alright, got anything else for me?
Two men are missing, Tina said as she continued vigorously tapping away at her
keyboard. Sam Scheidl and Alan Hoefel. Been missing for three days now.
According to Park Rangers neither of them are registered with the national parks near
here.
Hmm, Mike mused as he made his way for the door. Interesting. Get anything juicy,
let me know.
When Mike reappeared in the foyer, Roger and Everett were found seated in the
visitors area. He briskly walked over and shook their hands. Im Sergeant Mike
Stiller, he said in his friendly voice. The men introduced themselves and Mike took
up a seat opposite them. What can you tell me about the missing men? I believe they
were part of your show?
Everett spoke first. He was in his mid twenties, had a thick British accent and wavy
brown hair. Perhaps youve heard of it already? Its called Lone Wolf?
Mike shook his head. Hed never heard of it.
You may have heard of the lead in it, Sam Wolf Scheidl? Alan continued, Hes a
survival expert with a background in special forces.
Like Bear Grylls?
Roger snorted. Grylls? He drinks his own piss! He was a taller, older man with
greying hair and thin moustache. Wolf is the real deal man. Hes done it all. Bear is
an amateur compared to Wolf.
Honestly, Ive never heard of him. Mike replied, receiving an incredulous look from
Roger along with a raised eyebrow from Everett. And the other man I believe his
name was Alan Hoefel?
Al was Wolfs cameraman, said Everett.
You know, Lone Wolf has been around a lot longer than Man vs Wild. Grylls stole
the idea. Roger said, becoming more annoyed by the second. His real name is
Edward too. Not Bear. Just thought you should know that.

To be frank, I dont really care. Lets get some facts down here. When is the last time
you heard from Sam or Alan?
Gosh, it would be three days ago now, Everett explained. We do a live link up each
day. The lads called us on their sat phone last Monday, at around three in the
afternoon.
You have coordinates for the call? Mike asked.
Yeah, we gave them to your Constable when we got here, replied Roger as he
fumbled around for something in his pocket.
Righto then, lets not muck about. Well get an SES chopper up there ASAP and see
if we can find them.
Here, Roger said as he handed Mike a photo from his wallet. Thats Wolf. You must
have seen him before?
Mike took the photo and examined it. It was a picture of a burly man, around six feet
in height with a long bushy beard. He wore an akubra hat, khaki shirt and denim pants
with long cowboy style boots that reached his knees. Strapped to his waist was a knife
in a leather sheath. He wouldnt have looked out of place in a Duck Dynasty family
portrait, thought Mike.
Nope, Mike replied as he handed back the photo. Roger shook his head in disbelief.
Where are you staying while in Adaminaby? Mike asked, eager to change the
subject.
At the hotel down the road something Goose I think its called, answered Everett.
The Snow Goose. Ill get out there and do a preliminary search. Ill drop into your
hotel on the way back and let you know my findings. Here, Mike said as he handed
them his notepad and pen. Jot down the coordinates for me.
Mike wasted little time in organising the SES chopper and a pilot. He headed to the
helipad in his Rover and was greeted by Baxter Davis, a volunteer chopper pilot who
flew the SES helicopter during emergencies around the local Adaminaby region.
Baxter had a quirky personality but Mike liked him. He was a short fellow, with a
bald head and big bushy black eyebrows.
Sarge, Baxter said, extending his hand. Mike shook it.
Thanks for doing this at short notice mate, I really appreciate it.
Got the coords? Baxter asked while doing his pre-flight checks. Mike rummaged
around in his pocket. He flipped to the page with the coordinates and handed it to
Baxter.
Ill punch it into the GPS and well be on our way.

The flight over Adaminaby always impressed Mike. With a population of less than
250 people, it was relatively quiet most of the year. Their busiest period came during
the winter months when tourists from all over Australia would descend on the region
for the snow season. A few hours drive from Adaminaby was Mount Selwyn, a
popular spot for skiing. In the spring months, the town drew fishermen, campers and
bush walkers. It wasnt uncommon for people to go off the beaten track. Mike
recently read a report that claimed around 35,000 people went missing in Australia
each year. It was to be expected, Mike thought. Australia was relatively vast,
compared to its small population. He knew how easy it would be for someone to
disappear; whether they wanted to or not.
Down there, Baxter said suddenly, interrupting Mike from his thoughts. He gazed
down over the hills and spotted a camp site. From Mikes viewpoint, it looked like a
tent in a small clearing, nestled between groves of trees.
Ill set her down as close as possible. Might have to circle around a bit to find a
clearing first. Baxter said as he manoeuvred the helicopter around the hills.
Within a few minutes, they were descending. Wind whipped the dirt into a dust cloud
as the chopper sat down.
How long do you think youll be? Baxter asked Mike.
Youre not coming? Mike countered.
Nah, Ill stay here if its all the same. My knees been playin up on me lately.
Sorry to hear that. Mike said as he quickly checked his watch. Its half past one
now, so give me till three or so. Ill check out the camp and see what I can find out.
See you when you get back.
Mike headed off. His backpack held a bottle of water, a small first aid kit and the
police camera. The hill was steep and Mike was out of breath and sweating profusely
long before he reached its summit. From there, he could see the tent between a thicket
of trees.
Hello! Mike called out as he made his way down towards the trees. There was no
answer. He figured as much. If they were here, they would have spied the helicopter
and come out to greet him. As Mike made his way to the tent, he looked around for
anything that might seem out of place. The trees were a mixture of gum, pine and
eucalypt. The tent was green and grey and large enough for four men. It blended in
well with its surrounds but could be seen quite easily from the sky.
Mike withdrew his camera from the backpack and took a photo of the tent. He moved
closer to it and took a few more photos of the grounds around the tent. A burnt stump
protruded from the ashes of their camp fire. The tent flap was wide open. Mike peered
inside. There were two sleeping bags, along with the satellite phone and a pack

containing video equipment. Mike photographed the inside, taking care not to disturb
the scene.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sound interrupted his search. Mike looked in the direction of the noise and spied
movement in the trees.
Whos there? he called out in a loud voice. Wolf? Alan? Is that you?
Still no answer. Mike ducked under the branch of a tree and gave pursuit. He leaped
over long tussock and wove between shrubs and trees. A minute later, he spotted the
source of the noise; it was a mob of kangaroos. He sighed as he surveyed the area
ahead of him. Through the trees, he caught the glint of glass sparkling in the sunlight.
Mike made his way towards it as he kept a watchful eye on his surrounds.
When he was within twenty metres, Mike discovered the shining source to be a video
camera. It was still in its tripod, pointing aimlessly at the horizon. Mike snapped a few
photos of it from different angles before taking a closer look. Why would they leave
this behind? It hadnt rained for weeks and the camera appeared to still be in a
functioning order. This might provide some clues about where they went, or what they
were doing last.
Mike withdrew surgical gloves from his pocket and carefully pulled them on. The last
thing he wanted to do was contaminate the camera with his DNA. He pressed the
power button but the camera failed to respond. Mike remembered the camera gear in
the tent and went back to see if he could find a battery to fit the camera. He searched
through the gear and sure enough, he found what he was looking for.
Mike rushed back to the camera and carefully replaced the old battery for the new.
Again, he pressed the power button and the camera came to life. Mike found the menu
button on the side of the camera and pulled up a list of the most recent footage. He
selected the last one and played the footage.
In the video, Mike could see Wolf standing in front of the camera. He held a root in
his hands and appeared to be describing it. Mike turned up the volume.
root can be found all over these parts, Wolf was saying as he pointed to the
landscape behind him. Aborigines survived on these and so can you!
A voice came from off camera. Mike assumed that it belonged to Alan.
Thats a wrap Wolf, nice job buddy. Lets put it on a rock or something and get a
close up shot of it.
Wolf grins and walks towards the camera. In the background, Mike thought he saw a
tree moving. Looking closer at the screen he realises that its not a tree but a very
large man easily the biggest man hes has ever seen. The big man appears to be
wearing a ghillie suit. He steps out of the trees and stealthily walks towards Wolf.

What the shouts Alan as Wolf spins around to confront the huge man. As he gets
closer to the camera it becomes apparent that its not a ghillie suit hes wearing its
body hair and it covers him from head to toe. Wolf drops the root in his hand and
fumbles for the knife strapped to his waist. Hes too slow and the much bigger man
grabs his head between his two hands and turns it rapidly, snapping Wolfs neck. The
view from the camera shifts as Alan tries to flee.
No! Stop! Stop! Alan pleads with the brute but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Mike can
hear another sickening snap followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. The
killer momentarily stares into the camera. His face is clearly disfigured, resembling
that of a Neanderthal more than any human. His long brown hair, matted with dirt, is
draped over his sloping forehead. His mouth resembles that of a chimpanzee, with
pointed teeth and protruding gums behind thick lips.
A cold shiver runs up Mikes spine. A million thoughts race through his mind. Where
are the bodies? Was the creature still nearby?
With his heart racing, Mike switches off the camera. He knows hell need it for
evidence. He knows hes just witnessed a murder. With his brain in turmoil, instinct
and training kick in.
His thoughts turn to organising a manhunt hell need to get back to the helicopter as
quickly as possible and notify the station. In his panicked state, he leaves the camera
and dashes back up the hill in the direction of the helicopter.
Mike sees it in the distance and runs as fast as he can, almost stumbling in the rough
terrain.
Baxter! Mike calls out.
There is no reply.
Baxter! he calls again, this time louder and more urgently.
Where did he go? Mike scans the area around the helicopter. No sign of Baxter. Fear
grips Mike as he tries to focus on his next move. Should he search for Baxter or
remain with the chopper? Mike opens the door of the cockpit in the hope hell find a
message or a sign
Suddenly, without any warning, he feels giant hands either side of his head. He half
struggles, half panics. The pressure increases it hurts and Mike subconsciously
enters a fight or flight mode. In the space of a few seconds, Mike succumbs to the
pressure and gives up.
Snap!
Mikes body slumps to the ground. In his final seconds of life, Mike thinks hes
paralysed but as the light quickly fades from the world he realises hes dying.