"That is not always true." James counters in the same tone, though while it's correct--bodies can become hidden in many ways, can end up under the snow and ice, can be taken by animals--he does have to concede that if that were the explanation for all the disappearances, then Hickey might have indeed found at least a few bodies. Particularly so if he's in the forest as much as he's claiming to be,

James has yet to venture into the woods much himself, as much as he'd like to explore them, because he does have enough sense--even if it pains him a bit--to not take that risk until he's recovered a little more. But Hickey seems to be legitimately knowledgeable about the place, and while he might be an unreliable source, an unreliable source is better than no source.

"There is nothing in the forest itself that might explain the disappearances?" Demon bears? Regular bears? Or more mundane threats, like sinkholes or gorges, or perhaps a dangerous river hidden somewhere?