Quercus Mound, Alabama – population one – is the smallest city in the state. In fact, it really isn’t a city at all, just a dusty spot on the side of the road, adorned by a cellphone tower and seven abandoned, yellowish single-wide trailers that once housed residents who have either died or moved.
But the area had gained quite a bit of notoriety over the years because just a few miles away – surrounded by thick, treacherous woods – is Monster Lake. Unlike most of the waterways in the state, Monster Lake is hardly a haven for anglers or water sports enthusiasts. No one visits to wet their hooks, or launch pontoon boats for a lazy day of floating and drinking. In fact, it’s rare to find anyone brave enough to go anywhere near it.
There’s good reason for that.
Monster Lake is so-named because it’s allegedly home to the Quercus Mound RhinoCuda, which has killed at least 60 people over the past 30 years.
Twenty seven came there to fish, 22 to hunt, and 11 – through either ignorance or arrogance – figured they could get a peek at the monster and live to tell the tale.
They were all very, very wrong.
The creature, which is described as a cross between a rhinoceros and barracuda, lives on the bottom of the brackish lake and comes on land only to feed. It bursts out of the water with brute force and often spears its prey with the sharp, olive green horn on its gray snout. Once the victim is limp, the RhinoCuda shakes the person loose and clamps down with its gaping jaws, making quick work of the meal thanks to razor-sharp teeth.
Or so he says.
And “he” happens to be Lester Grappling, the lone resident of Quercus Mound. Thin, short and leather-brown thanks to years spent in the sun, he is a man who is unafraid of the RhinoCuda he calls “Pearlie Sue.”
Aside from a stint in the Navy, Grappling has lived most of his 53 years in a cabin just a few yards from the banks of Monster Lake. While it’s rustic to be sure – a post and beam home worthy of the cover of Country Living – it has a few high-tech features.
There is satellite dish along with a big-screen TV (“Can’t miss watching my Braves,” Grappling often says), and he makes sure his smart phone is always updated. While he doesn’t talk on it very often, he enjoys taking selfies with Pearlie Sue, although skeptics suggest photoshop is probably one of his greatest talents.
Word had gotten out that Grappling was something of a “monster whisperer,” which sparked speculation by podcasters and resulted in occasional pop-ins from TV reporters, anxious to interview the hermit with an active imagination. All that led to some national exposure, which is why on a muggy, late June day, 10 survivalists from the reality show Man’s Dominion arrived by caravan on the dusty road in the heart of Quercus Mound.
An entire season would be devoted to their latest quest, which was to spend the summer staking out Pearlie Sue – and ultimately capturing and killing her.
Brick Bannington, the show’s host, greeted Grappling as he made his way out of the woods and over to the contestants.
“Good to meet you, Mr. Grappling.”
“Mr. Grappling was my daddy,” Grappling said, extending his hand, “Call me Lester.”
“OK, Lester. Now, I’m guessing this is probably gonna be the biggest crowd you’ve ever seen here in Quercus Mound. Aside from our contestants, we’ve got the camera crew, hospitality and a medical team.”
“And if what we hear is true,” Bannington said with a wink, “we’re definitely gonna need some first aid.”
Grappling smiled politely, giving a once-over to the throng of people gathered by the woods.
“Nah, there won’t be any need for medics, Mr. Bannington,” he said. “Pearlie Sue don’t play. She kills to eat and eats what she kills. Course the law comes out here every time somebody goes missing. When they find what’s left of the bodies, they claim it’s a panther or a gator or something like that. That’s fine with Pearlie Sue … she don’t want credit, she just wants food.”
Grappling didn’t sound like he was joking.
“Well, Lester,” Bannington said, “I gotta admit – I think the authorities might be on to something. I’m not sure I believe all that monster stuff … I’m thinking maybe you got yourselves an oversize, Lake Placid-style croc. Either way, it oughta make for some good TV, especially after we get him.”
“Her,” Grappling said.
“Excuse me?”
“Her … Pearlie Sue’s a female.”
Bannington nodded.
“Sure, sure. Look, we’re gonna spend the next couple of days spreading everybody out and setting up their campsites. We were hoping you could be our guide, show us a few trails, that sort of thing. First though, we’d like to see your cabin … you know, get a shot of the man who lives among the monster.”
Grappling pointed to a dirt path leading into the woods.
“That’s how I come in and out,” Grappling said. “I go to Mobile for supplies about once a month and have made a road. Why don’t ya’ll just follow me in … there’s a huge clearing by the cabin and you can park all your vehicles there.”
Within an hour the convoy had relocated to the area next to Grappling’s abode, and Monster Lake was clearly visible form their makeshift lot. The water was calm and, from a distance, seemed clear.
Barrington and most of the Man’s Dominion cast followed Grappling as his walked closer to the water.
“Seems almost serene,” Barrington said.
“Oh it is, it is,” Grappling said. “It’s a beautiful spot for Pearlie Sue. And she loves it when I bring her treats – of course with all you people, it’ll be more like a feast.”
Barrington raised his eyebrows.
“Feast?”
“See for yourself.”
Grappling walked to the edge of the lake, cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted, “PEARLIE SUE! DINNER TIME!”
The water bubbled violently for several seconds before the gigantic creature emerged from the lake and launched a frenzied attack. Barrington was the first victim – speared and devoured in a matter of seconds – and within 10 minutes, the area surrounding Monster Lake was littered with bones and covered in blood.
Everyone was dead.
Everyone except for Lester Grappling.
As birds descended to peck away at the gory remains, Grappling peeked inside the hospitality van and realized there was enough food inside to feed him for six months. He started to carry some inside when Pearlie Sue – all 3,000 pounds of her – snorted, belched and plopped down at his feet.
He reached up and gently rubbed her head.
“Who’s my good girl?” he said in a sing-song voice. “You’re my good girl … yes you are! Eating up all those mean people. Best part of joining the Navy was pulling you out of that drift net in the Pacific, Pearlie Sue.”
