The Beast of Warehouse 31

What is the "Beast" that lives around Warehouse 31?

Nobody is really sure.

Some claim it is nothing but a hoax, but don't tell that to the people who have seen it.

"It didn’t look like any animal I had ever seen," stated Jose Guerra, manager of Warehouse 3-3.  "It looked like an alligator with wings.  I know that sounds crazy, but I know what I saw."

The first sighting of the beast took place in 1997, when a man riding his motorcycle in the area claimed that he spotted a "a creature resembling a gargoyle with enormous bat-like wings" perched in some trees near the road.

Since that sighting, animal carcasses, mostly dogs, have been found around the area,   appearing to be eaten by a large bear or other animal.  And some have even claimed to sight a large "beast" around the Warehouse.

"Its just an alligator," claims College Park Properties manager and owner, George Abbot. "The warehouse complex is located next to a deep pool of water, where they come out to sun themselves, and sometimes they get a dog. Ever since Whist, anything that happens around here is blamed on ghosts and crap. "

The Whist that Abbot refers to is Parson Al Whist, a leader in the Church of the Light Bearer, who rented space in Storage 3-1, and was later discovered and evicted by police for holding strange rituals with his followers.

"I haven't seen it, so I can't say for sure, but it could be a manifestation of some kind," explains Thomas Elmwood, Occult researcher. "When there has been a dark mass, a calling for something not on this plane of existence, it is possible for a very strong presence to break through and remain--as long as it has a willing host."

Does Elmwood mean a demon?

"Perhaps, but remember, a demon is simply a spiritual force. It isn't evil or good, it's just...different. It has different wants, different needs. But yes, depending on the entity's nature, as well as it's host, it's actions could be considered evil."

But in our modern society, is such a thing even possible.

"Faith is a powerful thing," Elmwood continued, "if a collection of people project enough energy through belief, it is possible to create a miracle--something outside of our normal universe. And, nothing says that miracles have to be for the good."

So is the "beast" of Warehouse 31 a demon? Summoned to this area by Whist and his followers--perhaps even possessing Whist himself? Considering that nobody has seen or heard from Whist in two years, its an easy conclusion to jump to.

Not according to George Abott.

"This is Florida. It's an alligator."

© Reprinted courtesy of Stephen Glenn, University Press.