They departed in about twenty minutes, leaving Vicki and C. J. to discuss everything that was going on. Vicki and C. J. stayed in the back to keep an eye on everyone ahead of them. So far none of them seemed like the type to commit the earlier actions and that got them nowhere.

Suddenly, C. J. reached out and stopped Vicki. Vicki looked at her friend and was about to say something, but she was motioned to be silent. C. J. pointed over to some bushes, and Vicki quickly got the idea. A rustle came from the bushes and the girls tensed, ready for everything. They silently walked over. Just when they got there though, a figure darted out and was out of sight.

"Vicki," someone called out, "C. J. come on." Both girls recognized Brian’s voice and hurriedly joined the group, "What were you girls doing?" He asked this, obviously annoyed.

"Sorry," C. J. said quickly, "We’ll pay more attention next time. You know how much I love nature." She acted a little embarrassed by the setback. Brian seemed to accept the apology and continued on. Vicki looked at her friend in amazement.

"I didn’t know you could act," Vicki commented, "at least not that good. What happened to you?"

"Who said I was acting," C. J. questioned, making Vicki more confused than before, "I was enjoying the view, but not of nature."

"What are you talking about," Vicki asked, "What other view?"

"This," C. J. replied and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small pocketknife and a bullet case, "That figure we saw dropped these as he was running away."

"You amaze me sometimes, you know that," Vicki told her friend.

"Yeah, I’m pretty amazing," C. J. replied, laughing, "I can’t exactly blame you though."

"No," Vicki exclaimed, "You’re supposed to say that I’m pretty amazing too."

"What’s so amazing about you," C. J. asked, "I’m the smart one if I remember correctly and I put up with you. I actually amaze myself sometimes." Vicki was about to jokingly retort when C. J. pulled her forward. The group had moved ahead of them and they rushed forward. Brian hadn’t even noticed their absence.

The hike continued without incident for several minutes and eventually hours. The sun crept up in the sky and beat down upon the fifteen hikers. Brian seemed to be the least effected by the sun. Since the last evening, it had begun to get warmer instead of cooler.

The four girls that were there stayed near the back and formed a group away from the guys. Being with guys all day, they needed a break from their jokes and remarks. Vicki and C. J, not wanting to act suspicious, got into a discussion with Kara with Amanda. After all, they didn’t know that they would find a case so soon. Amanda, who had red hair and green eyes, stood about one inch shorter than C. J.

"How did you guys find out about the hike," Amanda asked Vicki and C. J, "I don’t think it was posted or anything."

"Our boyfriends found out about it," Vicki answered, "Since they know how much we love camping and hiking, they told us about it. They actually wanted to come too, but something came up and they couldn’t make it."

"That’s too bad," Amanda said, "Kara’s told me a lot about them and I would have loved it if they had come." Kara carefully avoided her friend’s glance.

It was impossible to think that someone from their group was behind the strange occurrences, but at the moment, they had to consider everyone a suspect. Who could have known their identities and wanted to get back at them? Was it pure accident what had happened earlier? Somehow it seemed unlikely. Brian seemed to be the only one with a motive. He obviously didn’t like them and thought they were just like average teenage girls, which was far from the truth.

At that very moment, drops of water fell from the sky in a light shower and then came in torrents. Everyone pulled on the hoods of their jackets. Vicki and C. J. weren’t surprised. The weather was just as unexpected as this case. Luckily a small, somewhat sheltered clearing came into view. The group welcomed the sight and hurried to it.

"Everyone get over here," Brian called out, glancing around, "It looks like we’ll be waiting here until this storm lets up. If we can, we need to get firewood. Do I have any volunteers?" Vicki and C. J. quickly raised their hands and Brian reluctantly called on them. They couldn’t handle being around Brian for longer than they had to.

They rushed off into the woods, pulling their hoods farther up to protect them from the wind. A small cave came up ahead and Vicki motioned to C. J. There was a chance that there was some wood inside. Reaching it, they checked on the ground and inside for some wood. Eventually, they did find some and quickly brought it out.

Just as they stepped out though, a loud creaking sound grabbed their attention. A few feet away, a large tree began to creak and lean in one direction. The girls walked hurriedly to pass it, but right when they were under it, it started to fall!

Vicki pushed C. J. out of the way and jumped out of its path herself before it smashed right where they had standing. Vicki and C. J. picked themselves up and examined the tree. Cut marks were a saw went through was shown.

"This was no accident," C. J. exclaimed, "It was a trap…meant for us."