True to her word, they popped out into a flat, beautiful clearing about thirty minutes later. A sprawling, clear azure lake spread out before them. Towering trees surrounded the meadow, and off in the distance, Logan could hear a river rushing down the mountain.
Grayson ran forward and kissed the ground, and once again, the group laughed. Apparently, the shy genius had a sense of humor.
“It’s beautiful,” Joseph said. “And as if it was made just for this purpose. With the flat open space here.”
“It’s one of a few places we camp. Everyone, take a quick breather, and then let’s get started on chores and set up camp. It’ll be dark before you know it, and we gotta be settled before then. Oh, and before I forget. You can’t see it from here, but there’s a significant drop-off from the ridge about a hundred yards that way.” She pointed north. “Better just to stay away from that area. Especially at night.”
The “chores” involved collecting small branches for kindling, chopping up larger pieces into logs, starting a fire, setting up tents, and gathering and treating water.
Tess gave them two options for a “bathroom”—everyone on their own in the woods, or build a communal latrine by digging a hole, lashing together a wooden toilet seat, and erecting a privacy curtain. They unanimously voted for the homemadeouthouse. It might be the only bit of “civilization” they got during the week, and they took it.
By the time the sun set and they were all gathered around the fire, everyone was exhausted. And hungry. Dinner had consisted of granola bars and beef jerky, which was hardly satisfying.
“Is it just me, or did it seem like there were a thousand hours in this day?” Carter asked.
“More like ten thousand,” Grayson agreed.
“My feet are killing me,” Ashton said, pulling off his shoes and socks. The flames from the fire illuminated about a dozen quarter-sized blisters.
“For the love of all that’s holy!” Tess gasped. “What in the actual hell?”
“Crap. Guess I got a few blisters.”
“Was I notveryclear about taking care of your feet? Have I not been harping on you guys all day about it? How did you let that happen?”
Ashton did not take the scolding well. “You don’t have to yell,” he said. “I didn’t think it was that bad.”
Tess sucked in a long breath and let it out slowly, clearly digging deep for patience. “Get the first aid kit and take care of yourself,” she ground out. “And don’t think you’re getting out of any chores because you can’t walk. All that…” she waved a hand around Ashton’s feet, “was preventable.”
“Fine.” Ashton scowled. “I’m gonna go stick my feet in the lake.” No one said a word as he hobbled off.
“Idiot,” Tess muttered, shaking her head. “Anyone else have blisters?”
“Like we’d tell you if we did,” Grayson said, breaking the tension and causing everyone to laugh—even Tess.
“I should go help him,” she said.
“Why?” Joseph said. “You warned us a million times. It’s his fault. Let him live with the consequences.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“I get it,” Tess said. “Itishis fault. But up here, we have to work together, as a team. Everyone will make mistakes. You’ll make less if you do what I say, but either way, we’re gonna have to trust and rely on each other.”
Everyone mumbled, maybe not in agreement, but at least in understanding.
“Think we’ll see Bigfoot?” Grayson asked once Tess was out of earshot. “Don’t tell Tess, but that’s the real reason I’m here.”
“You don’t really believe there’s an eight-foot mythical beast roaming the mountains, do you?” Joseph asked.
Grayson shrugged. “It’s possible.”
A wolf howled in the distance.
“Anyone else rethinking their decision to try this?” Carter glanced toward the noise nervously. “And am I the only one, or does the dark make everything creepy?”
“Little bit,” Grayson agreed.
“I think Tess was talking to me when she mentioned setting aside our taste for the finer things,” Joseph muttered.
