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Then and Now Chapter 29 Ang and Aimee sat on the back deck playing poker when Jenn and Howie walked out of the cabin. "Hey guys, how's it going?" Jenn asked, sitting down. "Good, you guys are the first ones back." Aimee said, setting her cards down. "You quitting?" Ang asked with a smile. "No, merely taking a break! Gotta grab a drink." she got up and headed inside. "So where'd everyone go?" Howie asked, pulling a chair up to the table. "The foursome went camping, Kevy and Nina went to town, and uhm AJ and Krys went hiking." she looked at her watch. "And they should have been back by now." D leaned back in his chair. "I'm sure they'll be back soon, probably still hanging out at the lake."Krys glared at AJ as he dropped the last ten feet. "You ok?" he asked, running over to where she was sitting on the ground. "Peachy." she smiled sweetly. "Why didn't you tell me you were out to kill me?" "I'm not out to kill ya." he said laughing. "Coulda fooled me." she said looking up at him, he was laughing so hard he was almost falling over. "You could help me up you know?" "Right, sorry!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. Krys brushed the dirt off her pants and looked at the tree branch a few feet away from her, shaking her head. "So, we should find a spot to get settled, I think we might be here awhile." "Whatever you say." AJ picked up his backpack and followed her, back the way they came. Nick and Brian watched as Lis and Han appeared, carrying a pile of stones. They stopped about fifteen feet away from the boys and started to set them rocks down. The boys exchanged confused looks and then stared at the girls. "Whats going on?" "We like the campsite standing." Han said, smiling sweetly at them. "So we're putting the fire far away from the tents." Lis finished. "Rok, you want to help so we can have a fire before it cools off." "All righty then." Brian said in his best Jim Carry voice, he gathered the wood and went over. Nick pouted. "What do I do?" "Keep a safe distance away!" Han instructed. "Kidding! Uhm you want to get the food?" "Will do!" Nick jumped up and headed into the tent... Kevin and Nina walked onto the deck where now everyone was gathered, looking a bit nervous. "Whats up?" Kev asked, looking at the group. D looked up. "Well see..." "They should have been back by now." Jenn finished. "Who?" Nina asked, sitting down on the bench. "AJ and Krys. They said they'd be back for dinner and nothing. No sign of them. And he left his wallet and cell on his bed." D finished, shaking his head. Kevin looked towards the tree. "You know those two, their Mr. and Mrs Spontaneous, their probably setting up camp somewhere." "I don't think so Kev." Nina said, remembering their conversation with Krys that morning. "Krys didn't want to be gone all day remember?" AJ looked around the small cave. "This looks as good as anything we've found." Krys sighed. "A cave, probably a bear cave. We're bear bait now." she said seriously. AJ turned and looked at her. "Would you grow up?" he asked, taking off his backpack. "We have to spend one night here. Tomorrow we'll find the path, and head home." "I hope your right Bone." She said, sitting down next to him. Me too, he said silently. "I say we start a fire for warmth. It'll be getting cooler soon." He said, noting the sun was beginning to drop in the sky. "Ok, guess its a good thing I made big lunches." she said, rummaging through her backpack. AJ made a small mound of leaves and twigs near the front of the cave. "I'm sorry about this Krys." he said looking at her as he started the fire. "Next time I come up with a crazy idea like this, hit me instead." Krys laughed. "Nah, next time I'll just throw you in the pool till you come to your senses." Ang opened the cabin door to see a forest ranger standing there. "Can I help you?" she asked confused. He looked at her and smiled. "I believe someone called me to this address." "I don't know..." she turned around to see Howie and Kevin walking towards her. "Either of you two call..." "Yeah we did Ang, come on in." Kevin said, waving the man in. The forest ranger walked in and looked at Kevin. "Kevin?" Kevin stopped. "Ryan? No it can't be!" "It is." the two men hugged. Howie and Ang exchanged surprised looks. "You two know each other?" D asked. "Yeah, guys this is me and Bri's second cousin Ryan." Kevin introduced the ranger. "Nice to meet you." Ang said smiling at him, now she could notice the slight resemblance to Brian. "Where is Rok? He isn't the one missing is he?" Ryan asked, pulling out a notepad. "No, its our friends." D explained, leading Ryan out on to the deck. Nick was in the tent, going through the backpacks, pulling out the food for dinner. Brian looked at the campfire. "I think we're set." he looked in the direction of Nick and Lis' tent. "Nick? Yo Nick, you ever bringing out the food?" "Be right there." Nick yelled. He pulled his sweatshirt over his head and accidentally hit the main pole, the one primarily in charge of holding up the tent. The pole fell over, taking Nick and the tent with it. "Not again!" Lis whined, watching as the tent collapsed. "He's seriously cursed." Brian said shaking his head. "I'm okay!" Nick yelled from inside the mass of canvas. He grabbed the pole and stood up, hearing the sound of canvas ripping, his eyes followed the sound and saw a large tear in the canvas. Quickly he grabbed the food and crawled out. "Lissy, guys, how do you feel about us all bunking together?" The three of them answered in one collective groan. Next: Chapter 30 |