Soon, the figure was only a few steps in front of the girls and Vicki rushed forward. Aiming a kick, the guy didn’t have a chance as he fell. C. J. was right next to Vicki instantly. Just as they were reaching to pull off the ski mask off his face, he jumped up and ran off. By then pursuit was useless. They returned to the camp.

Brian marched up to them, "What were you two thinking! You could have been killed! Don’t you understand that?" Vicki and C. J. returned his steady gaze.

"Yes," Vicki replied evenly, "We were aware of that, but we had to do something to stop him."

"And the only thing you could think of was to go after him," Brian asked, "in the middle of the woods at night?" They both nodded, "You two are acting like this is a case or something." Kara glanced over at the girls, but didn’t say a word to Brian about their earlier discussion.

"Okay everybody," he said, turning to the rest of the group, "We’re not supposed to move out for another three hours. Get some sleep if you can and in two hours we need to get everything packed up." He looked at the two girls, "I expect that you won’t be causing trouble anymore?" They didn’t reply and he walked away.

Kara and one of the guys in their group came over as Brain left. Kara’s friend was slightly shorter than six feet with red hair and green eyes. He was quickly introduced as Steve Adams and one of her best friends.

"I think he was way too tough on you," Kara commented, "I know I couldn’t bring myself to run after someone who just shot at me." Steve quickly agreed with his friend.

"We’re used to it," Vicki replied, "but I think Brian didn’t want a girl to show him off. He probably would have ran after the guy if he had a chance."

"I guess in your business you need to be prepared for everything," Kara said, "I’ve heard enough stories from Joe and Justin to understand what you go through." The conversation ended at that and the group tried their best to sleep a little longer.

Two hours later the group woke up and they prepared for the rest of the hike. Vicki and C. J. packed their stuff quickly and got ready for what appeared to be breakfast. Vicki looked quizzically at the package from her pack.

"Are you sure this is edible," Vicki asked, looking over at C. J, "The packet says it is, but I’m not sure." She pulled out the contents. It was revealed to look like ground-up beef jerky, "I just lost my appetite. I’m just glad I came prepared." She pulled out a pack of granola bars from her pack and handed one to C. J.

"It’s better than nothing," C. J. declared, not even bothering to open her packet, "I’m lucky you always bring extra food on trips."

"You never know when an emergency will come up," Vicki said, unwrapping hers, "We’d better hurry. We should be leaving pretty soon." C. J. realized that her friend was right and they hurried to eat the bars and pick up their things.

Shortly afterwards they set off again, heading deeper into the woods. Vicki and C. J. noticed that Brian was keeping a close watch on them the whole time. They glanced at each other, wondering the same thing. Could they trust him? The answer wasn’t obvious, they just didn’t know at the moment. He certainly didn’t trust them, but he had a right to be mad. He was the leader and knew what he was doing.

Kara joined their group, "Don’t worry about him. Once you get to know him better, maybe he won’t be so rough on you two. Just enjoy the hike." She moved on.

"If only that were easy," C. J. whispered, "The way this trip is going, we’ll be lucky if Brian keeps off our case." Vicki glanced up at Brian and their gazes met. He gave her a quick glare and then waved, turning back to the front.

"I don’t trust him," Vicki finally decided, and received a look from C. J, "What are you looking at me for?"

"Give him a chance," C. J. whispered, "I don’t think he’s the one who’s after us." Vicki sighed and then reluctantly agreed.

"I know I said I came for the adventure," Vicki commented, "but I didn’t mean this kind. We need to keep an eye on everyone…including Brian Stevenson."