Day 18-The Hunt

Dear Diary,
We have been on the hunt now for eighteen days and still no sign of the beast. We thought the ice , rain and partially flooded basement would drive it up the steps and into our snare, but alas, it is a smart devil. I have begun to call him "Great White" and he haunts my dreams. He left his trail of excrement across the basement floor as if to tease me, taunt me to catch him. He takes the bate outside our cutting edge trap, and yet leaves the bounty inside undisturbed. Where did you learn such tricks "Great White?" How shall I catch thee and end this tragic play? You are here and not here, perhaps a ghost of a rat. I will catch you.