Page 30 of Captured on Film
Down. Talk about understatement. “Somewhat,” he saidthrough clenched teeth.
“Gonna tell me why?”
Caleb swiftly edited his possible rant down to a single statementof fact. “I can’t hear the stars anymore.”
“Why?” asked Josheb. “Did something change while I was out?”
“I don’t know,” he said, barely clinging to a polite tone.“I haven’t had the chance toask.”
Josheb looked between Caleb and Andor, then at Hesper. “Oh, whoops.My bad. You’re up, bro. Ask away!”
Since he’d already stated his problem, Caleb lookedexpectantly to Hesper. Only to be met by a blank stare.
“The stars,” he repeated. “Why can’t I hear them from here?Is something interfering?”
Her eyebrows slowly arched, but she turned to Andor andspoke a few words.
He simply grunted.
“I met one. Right after the landslide.” At Hesper’sexpression, Caleb muttered, “I’m not crazy. Oaken was right there. Ask him.”
“Oaken’s gone.”
“I thought you said these guys never leave?” It was part ofthe recluse’s code. Caleb was in a position to know.
“There was a message. A summons,” said Hesper. “He didn’thave a choice.”
Josheb blurted, “You get mail up here? How?”
“Don’t ask,” snapped Hesper. Like she’d said it a hundredtimes already. “And don’t ask me to ask. So help me, I’m staying on this guy’sgood side.”
But she did saysomethingto Andor.
Who only grunted again.
Second Moon
Night fell, but Josheb and Hesper kept right onlaughing and chatting. Caleb was about to steal back to his own room whenAndor’s posture shifted in a way that drew Caleb’s eye. They might not have hada word in common, but Andor rolled his eyes toward the two chatterboxes, thenlifted his chin toward the door.
An invitation to escape.
Caleb nodded cautiously.
Andor stole outside.
When he followed, Caleb hesitated at the limits of the lanternlight.“I can’t see a thing.”
A big hand found his.
He was about to protest that he didn’t want to hold handswhen matters worsened. Andor lifted him right off his feet. And tucked him upagainst his chest so Caleb was perched on his forearm. Like a toddler.
Which was equal parts disorienting and humiliating.
But Andor was already striding into the woods.
Searching for handholds, Caleb found the ropy mess ofAndor’s hair. Mister Big didn’t growl when he grabbed hold, so Caleb wrapped adreadlock around his fist and held on for dear life.
Away from the den, his eyes gradually adjusted. Picking outtrees became easier because they were thinning. Then Andor stepped out of theforest. There was a steep drop, with more woods below. Mentally, Caleb wasplotting their location. Probably Boar Ridge, which meant that base camp hadbeen practically on bigfoot’s doorstep.
