495

The path widens as the forest thins, opening to a low field of lush grass drenched in sunshine. Butterflies flutter through the air at your presence, lifting through the haze and gliding to the trees. From the right, the rustle of leaves and branches calls you to spot the denizens of the forest, a duo of white-tailed deer traipsing back from the lake on your left.

Madison stops, whispers, and points. "Look, over there!"

In a much louder voice, Brody says, "What?"

Thirty yards away, a full-sized deer jumps into the brush, rushing away from the sudden noise.

Madison turns on her brother, fury on her face, and punches him in the shoulder. "When someone whispers something, you don't go and yell it. Do you understand?" she growls.

"Madison, I…" Brody tries to explain.

"Oh, whatever," she says and trudges back down the path.

Brody lingers behind until he catches your attention. He gestures you to the side, and you can tell that something is really bothering him.

"What's the matter, Brody?" you ask.

"I think…" he slowly explains. "I think there's something wrong with Maddie."

"If you're talking about that outburst—" you say.

Brody shakes his head, interrupting. "That might be a part of it, but not the cause. No, she…well, she's been acting as if this were some kind of vacation."

"Vacation?" you ask.

Brody nods. "Almost everyone else has reacted some way with what's gone down. Some cried, others got angry, while some just went silent. Madison, she's too cheerful, too lively."

"So, what do you want me to do about it?" you ask.

"Talk to her," Brody says. "Maybe she'll open up to you. Just don't tell her I said anything."

From down in the glen, Madison turns and shouts in a loud, stern voice. "Hurry up, slowpokes!"

Brody gives a final look your way, then hurries in Madison's direction. You follow suit.