Charles stepped over the shattered glass into Nephesh's den as several agents and two scientists worked on cleaning up the lab. Whoever had designed the place had gone to great lengths to make it seem as natural as possible. Other than the glass and walls, the den was completely organic. The floor was soft with dirt and moss and a trunk lay across the ground as a make-shift sitting area. Hidden behind a large boulder was a shallow cave made from real stone. This was where Nephesh slept.
Flattened leaves and branches formed a nest-like bed - a bed that would never be slept in again. Charles found no compassion in that thought as he felt no loss for the creature. There was something in Nephesh's eyes that had scared him more than anything ever had. He prided himself on not being afraid. Yet, he felt something in those last moments of Nephesh's life that chilled him to the bone. He was glad the animal was dead.
Then he found himself exploring the hominid's living quarters. He kneeled down beside the bed and that's when he saw it - a map in the dirt. He guessed that Nephesh drew it with his finger.
Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out the small notepad he always carried with him. The map was split into two, divided by a net like twist of twigs and branches, like a volleyball court net with a map on one side and another map on the other side. He recreated the drawing in his notebook as best as he could and for some strange reason, he felt compelled to wipe out the drawing on the ground. With a sweep of the foot, the creature's drawing was gone. He shoved his own two sketches into his pocket along with the web of twigs that had been intricately created. He had no idea what it meant.