Chapter 13

Could be a bear, he thought. Brandon, who hovered somewhat behind him, even noisier, and less cautious, was insisting in a hissing, probably carrying whisper that it was a bear, they were going to be eaten by a bear, and boy, wasn’t that just going to suck.

“Be quiet,” Scott said. He crouched closer to the ground, stealing forward a few precious inches. The breathing sounds were heavier, labored, wheezy.

He parted the branches with one hand, camera already primed; he just needed to click the shutter as soon as something presented itself. The sky was deepening to rich blue. He couldn’t see well through the underbrush; any image he took was going to have to be lightened, and lightened again for a chance in hell to see anything. He triggered the auto-flash. Not his favorite picture taking method, but at least he’d have a chance at—

“Scott!”

“Shush!”

“Scott!”

“Will you—” Scott whirled around, but Brandon was staring behind them into the woods.

“That wasn’t me,” Brandon said.