"Well, they must have went upstream. Only an idiot would jump off the cliff!" A voice from the group said. "We can start to look up that way."

"Nah, just let them go. They were probably just some kids trying to spy on us. You know how the other people felt about us in Carolina," another voice answered. "Just leave them be. We probably scared them off anyway.

Jason could have sworn that the second voice was that of Jacob, but he could not be sure of it. He then heard the group retreat back into the woods back to the camp.

He then turned his attention to Craig who was still gasping a little while he hung onto the side of the rock wall.

"Are you okay?" He asked, still holding onto the same rock.

"Jason, I really love you guys. You are like the brothers that I never had. I have been almost blown up, shot up and even BEAT up with you two, and that was not a problem. BUT if you EVER throw me off the side of a cliff AGAIN, I AM GOING TO BREAK YOUR NECK! " Craig replied, looking Jason straight in the face. "Are you CRAZY!"

"We couldn't get caught!" Jason said. "Besides, you are still alive. Do you still have the hose?"

"Yes, I still have the hose. I put it in my pocket," Craig quipped back. "I guess it is a good thing that one of us was still thinking."

"No sense of adventure," Jason replied. "Well, we better get back to the van. I want to check in on Adam and I have to talk to Dad. I also hope that I can talk to Chuck."

"That is the first intelligent thing that you have said today," Craig said, as both boys started to swim out and around the cliff to the shoreline.

Jason happened to look back up towards the cliff as he was swimming to the shore and he thought his heart was going to stop! Standing at the top of the cliff was a figure looking straight down at them. It was Jacob. Jason did not know exactly what to do because he knew that they were spotted in the open. Instead of hearing a yell for help or a gun being aimed at them, Jacob just quietly watched them swim to the shore. Once Jason and Craig made it to the shore, Jason looked back up towards the cliff. He saw Jacob quietly disappear into the woods.

"What is your problem?" Craig said. " You had better not be scheming any other stupid stunts because you can count me out!"

"No, Jacob saw us," Jason said in a low voice as be wiped himself off. It was a good thing that he wore his shorts this morning, but unfortunately he did wear his new shoes.

"What! Where?" Craig said as he looked frantically around and scrambled up towards the woods. He was having a hard time walking because he was wearing jeans, for which were very waterlogged.

"He watched us swim to the shore and then quietly disappeared," Jason said quietly, hoping Craig would lower his voice as well.

"Then we had better get back to the van before he does," Craig said, trying to get Jason to move a little faster.

"No, he could have had us already if he really wanted to catch us," Jason said, following Craig through the woods.

"Well, let's not take that chance," Craig replied. "Besides I am wet, hungry and tired. Let's go!"

"As I said, no sense of adventure," Jason said sarcastically. Then his face went grim. He thought of all of the "fun" adventures that he had experienced with Adam.

"What are you thinking?" Craig said, noting the sudden silence. "All I have to say is that Adam is going to be fine because he is sure not leaving me with you. Even if I have to rig him up a super sport wheelchair with four-wheel drive, he is going to be fine."

Jason had to chuckle at that comment. Craig was always encouraging as long as his life was not in danger.

"Well, you had better make it waterproof, Sherlock," Jason replied.

The boys were mostly quiet as they made their way back to the van. Craig flopped down in the backseat. Jason pulled the van farther down the road until he had a strong cell-phone signal. He had noticed that someone had called from the hospital and he was very eager to hear about his brother's condition. He dialed the number and his mother answered the phone.

"How is Adam?" Jason asked his mother, hoping to her good news.

"No change at this point, but do you realize how hard it is to be in here worried to death about your brother and wonder if I am going to have another son in a hospital bed! Where have you been? Your father said you should have been here about 3 or 4 hours ago!" his mother's voice boomed over the receiver.

"We were at the accident scene and started investigating from there," Jason said, not wanting to mention the rest of their adventure. It was bad enough that he was going to have to tell them later, but he definitely did not want to tell his mother over the phone.

"I would expect this behavior from Adam, but Jason, not you," His mother continued. He could tell that the stress of worrying about his brother was taking its toll on his mother because of the strain in her voice.

"I am sorry, I should have called sooner," He said, trying to soothe her tension. 'I will go by-"

"No you will come immediately to this hospital! Your father is on his way over from the police station and I know that he wants to talk to you," His mother replied. "Do you still have Craig with you?"

"Yes mom, and I do have Craig," Jason said. He really wanted to stop by their house to change his clothes. Both boys had all of the windows open and down in the van to rid the stench from the air. The Hocking River had left a distinct smell on their clothes, not to mention both boys had the clay river sediment in their hair. Jason's dark hair now had a dull tan color to it.

"Good! I will call his mother so she will not be worried," She answered. "I better get off here. The doctor should be coming soon on his rounds."

"Okay, and mom?" Jason said, feeling guilty about worrying his mother. "I am really sorry about worrying you."

He heard a small sigh before his mother spoke. "I know Jason. I know that you are trying to help your brother too. I am sorry for being to short, but just keep me better informed of your whereabouts. The next time."

"You got it mom," he replied, as the van made it's way to the hospital.

When they reached the hospital, Jason spotted his father's car already in the lot. He looked over at Craig, who smelt and looked like he had been rolling in the mud as well. He had to laugh at their appearance, but they did not have a change of clothes in the van. He was very excited about the information and evidence that they had found, but he still had to explain how they got the evidence. Deep down, he felt bad about disobeying his father. However, he needed to find out what happened to his brother. The closer he got to the room, the more he realized the seriousness of his brother's condition. He also noticed the stares of the people and staff at the boys' appearance. Jason had to admit that they were a sight to behold and tried to hide his sheepish grin. Adam sure would have enjoyed this sight, he thought to himself.

They had just walked into his brother's hospital room when he heard his mother exclaim," What on earth? Jason, Craig! What happened?"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kramer stood up from the other side of Adam's bed to take in the whole sight of the boys.

"I don't remember ever seeing a large creek in the area of the accident?" Mr. Kramer said, looking at the boys quizzically.

"Not a creek, Mr. Kramer. Just a river and a very large cliff!" Craig quipped as Jason elbowed him. "But we did get this!"

Craig held up the old broken hose.

"And this," Jason added, as he very carefully got the notes that he found out of his pocket. The paper was very wet, but thank goodness Jacob used a dark pencil. The boys told about their adventure and then Mr. Kramer told them what he had found out from the police.

"It seems that Ashita Rawlins has had a history of bad debt, but he always seemed to get the money and then move on. The police think that is why he is running this cult. The people work and give all of their money to him. In exchange he gives the people room, board and any necessities that they may need," Mr. Kramer said. "As for the accident, they are very reluctant to re-open the case. But the officer in charge did say that they were not going to pursue any charges due the circumstances. Ashita had insurance on the vehicle and the insurance will take care of Alyssa and the Cherokee. Chuck's parents and I have agreed to take care of our own hospital bills with our own insurance policies. That way I can get the best care for Adam without having to cooperate with Mr. Rawlins."

"That is good, but Dad, we have to nail this guy. He is responsible for the accident. We have the proof!" Jason said.

"Proof that was STOLEN from the camp. Jason, you know all about this legal stuff," Mr. Kramer said, looking his son straight in the eye. "I told you not to go to the camp."

"I am sorry if I hurt you Dad, but now we are closer to finding out the truth about the so-called accident," Jason answered. "I am NOT going to feel guilty for finding out the truth, no matter what methods I used. We have a witness. Chuck heard the people and that is good evidence along with whatever we find out about Ashita."

" Jason is right. Someone tried to kill us," a strong, but soft voice said among the now speechless group. "It was NOT an accident."