"Me? Why do I get all the blame?" Jason griped back. He was also working on his ropes too, but was not having too much luck either.

"You are the oldest you know," Adam quipped back. Jason gave a little smirk at the comment. He was about to make a comment when Junior quickly told them both to be quiet. The boys immediately followed his directions. He had them tied up and sitting next a wall in the hideout. His partners in crime had already been radioed about the uninvited visitors and were on their way back. Jason really wanted to make his move, but Junior's shotgun made the odds even. The best thing that they could do was to sit and wait for their opportunity. But that chance quickly vanished when Jim and his partner walked in the door.

Both men eyed them closely.

"Who are ya? And what are ya doin' here?" the one man grumbled.

But the boys did not answer him.

"Are you deaf? I asked you a question and I want an answer!" he yelled in anger. "Who are ya and what are ya doin' on my property?"

"First of all, it is NOT YOUR land," Adam mouthed back.

"So we have a mouth," the man said as he stepped toward the younger Kramer. "If yer so smart, then why aren't ya answern' me! What is your name boy?"

"I know that the names that I heard was Jas and Adam," Junior piped up.

"So we have an Adam and a Jas. So how do ya know whose land this is? I sure have never seen you around here before," the man chimed on, glaring at the brothers. But he did not hear an answer. With that, his anger got the best of him. He motioned for Junior to make his move. Junior grabbed Adam by the back on his coat and dragged him up. Then he put the youngest Kramer into a strong headlock. The man got into Adam's red face. "Who are you or I will choke it out of you!"

Jason immediately came forward. "Don't hurt my brother. Our grandmother owns this land. We are visiting and we were getting a Christmas tree."

"Oh, so now I get some answers," The man quipped back. He smiled at Jason and then turned his attention to Adam again. "You sure don't look like brothers. Maybe your momma cheated on your daddy with the milkman," the man chuckled. Junior also enjoyed the slight remark.

"Wait a minute! I bet I know exactly who they are. Their momma is Lori. You know, the three sisters from the ridge. Katherine and Shelby. She is the one that you had that crush on a long time ago," the one named Jim said. "I heard in town when I stopped for gas at the station that she was back in town with her family."

"I never had a crush on HER!" the man fired back defensively. Then he turned his attention to the boys. " Is your momma Lori?"

"Yes," Jason said before Junior could tighten his grip on Adam.

"Who is your daddy?" the man sneered.

"Carl Kramer. Now could you please let my brother go," Jason answered again.

The man named Jim turned and looked up. "Boy are we in trouble now. We have to let those kids go Paul."

"Why? How can I let 'em go? They know what we have here and I am not goin' to jail for no one!" Paul fired back.

"I know that Lori married a policeman and moved away. I ain't gonna do anythin' with a cop's kids," Jim said with a stammer. "Let's just leave 'em and git while we can."

Paul turned around and looked at him like he was crazy. "I have a large shipment that has to go out TONIGHT and NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING is gonna stop me."

"So what are ya gonna do with them? I am not gonna stand for any killin' Paul," Jim said shanking his head. "No way."

"We are gonna make our shipment and they are goin' with it. Whether they die or not is up to them and your God," Paul muttered. "For now, put 'em in the back. We have to move our stuff and pack what we can." Then he turned and faced the boys.

"I don't care whose kids you are and whose land this is. This was my place and you came a snoopin'. Now you are going to go swimmin' and if you live, I will be long gone before anyone can do anything about it."

Meanwhile, Jacob and Stephanie had made it tot he Blazer and loaded Jeb for the trip to the hospital. Stephanie had put the seats down and was getting ready to get into the driver's seat when she noticed that Jacob was grabbed the hunting knife out of the dash.

"What are you doing?" she remarked.

"I am goin' back for Adam and Jason. They might need help," He said without much thought of his cousin's opinion.

"Jason said to get help..." Stephanie started in, but Jacob cut her off.

"I know, and that is jus what yer gonna do once you get him to the hospital. They don't know this area and I can't leave 'em alone," Jacob said to his cousin. "Get Uncle Carl and have him get out here." With that, Jacob turned around and started back towards the woods. But Stephanie called out. He stopped and turned, expecting to here a lecture. But he was wrong. Stephanie handed him a cell phone.

"It might be dead here, but you are going up on the ridge and you might get a signal. You call as soon as you get a signal," Stephanie directed him. "Be careful."

Jacob could not believe his ears as his cousin jumped back into the Blazer and took off leaving a cloud of dust. He could not believe that this cousin actually listened to him and treated him like a normal person. He knew that he had to get to his cousins soon, so Jacob quickly made his way back up onto the ridge.

In record time, Jacob made it to the area that he last saw his cousins before they split ways. He could not believe that he made it up the path that quickly and felt a sense of pride as he caught his breath. Moving along, Jacob looked for any sign of life. He tried to stay low among the briar bushes like he did while hunting, hoping not to be spotted by the unknown and possible enemy. He knew that people grew and made things in the hills and they did not like being found by anyone--- stranger or friend. The more he searched, the more concerned he became about his cousins' safety. Turning to start up the ridge, Jacob spotted a small patch of smoke rising into the air. It was near dusk and the night air was creeping in.

"Where there is smoke, there is fire" he thought. That was one of his grandma's famous sayings. He moved over closer to the small stream of smoke until he spotted the little hideaway in the side of the hill. Quickly and quietly, Jacob made his way to the only window of the hideaway. He didn't need to peer in to know what was going on. He could hear the voices of two men loud and clear.

"Are you really going to dump Lori's kids off with the shipment?" one voice said.

"I am sure not gonna let them go!"

"But you can't kill Lori's kids. It says in the Bible.." but the voice was cut off.

"Lori should have kept a better eye on them. Besides they can swim," The voice quipped.

"The water is too cold. I am not gonna be a part of a murder. I don't believe in killin' anyone, especially people I know."

"Well until you come up with a better way, you had just better shut up and leave me alone!" There was a pause of silence and then a slamming of a door.

Jacob knew that he had to do something. He was trying to think of something when he heard another voice.

"I am going to go and get the van ready. I will wait for you there. I don't care what you do, but you had better remember that I am not going to be a part of any killin'."

Jacob instantly hid to the side of the hideaway. He figured that whatever was going to happen, it was going to involve the van. He had to get into that van. After the one man made his way out of the shack, Jacob followed him in the shadows.

At the same time, Junior and Paul were busy destroying evidence and loading a small trailer that was hooked to a four-wheeler on the side of the shelter. Adam and Jason tried to break free, but neither one could loosen the tight ropes.

"As soon as you get an open chance, go for it," Jason whispered to his brother. But Paul quickly moved Jason away from Adam.

"No talking!" Paul yelled angrily and then he disappeared in the plant room. "You two brats have cost me enough!"

"It is not our fault you can't get a real job," Adam muttered. Paul stopped in his tracks and spun around to face Adam.

"You are in trouble young man because YOU were snoopin' around," He growled in Adam's face.

"We are on our grandmother's land and you are trespassing. Why don't you just let us go and we just will not say anything about you as long as you never come back," Adam said in a calm voice. If he was scared, he did not show it at all. This impressed Jason, who was growing more worried about their situation as the clock ticked on minute by minute.

"Do you really think I am THAT stupid!" Paul muttered back. He had a big scowl on his face, but Adam still showed no fear.

"Actually, yes I do," Adam sneered back. He was not going to take anything from anyone no matter what happened, especially from a drug dealer.

"We will see about that one blondie when you join your brother here at the bottom of the river," Paul said as he flew into a fury. "And I think it is time that I had some peace and quiet. Junior! Come and take care of his mouth."

With that, Junior came into the room and stared down at Adam with an evil smile on his face. Adam never showed any fear, but did remain silent.