Page 13 of Captured on Film
“Interesting theories.” Josheb flashed a smile. “You’retaking this seriously.”
“I wouldn’t saythat. I mean, come on. Bigfoot?”
Josheb lifted a finger and wisely said, “Every legend hassome truth to it.”
“Says who?”
“Me.” As if that’s all it took to make myths materialize.“Can you make it six more miles?”
Caleb snorted. “I have nothing better to do.”
“Not true!” Twirling a finger at the camera, Josheb said,“Take more pictures. Catch a figment on film.”
They passed more landmarks—Black Squirrel Spring, WashboardFord, and an overlook with a view of Turnabout Creek. As the long summertwilight took hold of the woods, Caleb remembered another detail that he likedabout camping.
“Hear that?” he asked.
Josheb glanced up and around. “Which part? The leaves? Thecrickets?”
“They’re birds, I think.”
His brother sat still, ear cocked as he listened. “By anychance, do you hear things as well as see them?”
“Oh.” That hadn’t really occurred to him. It had to bepossible. “Maybe?”
Coming to sit next to him, Josheb offered a hand as if toshake. “Put ’er here.”
The clasp must have taken immediate effect because hisbrother began looking about, trying to pinpoint a new sound. Caleb asked,“Which one couldn’t you hear before?”
“That pip-pip-pipping. Might be birds, but it could just aseasily be tree frogs. Or even those little jumping streakers from before.”
Caleb sent up a fervent prayer that it wouldn’t rain. Hecouldn’t handle another plague. “Why me?” he sighed.
“And whynotme?” countered Josheb.
“I’d trade if I could.” Although Caleb wasn’t sure he meantit. At least this way, his brother still included him.
Night Noises
Caleb woke without understanding why his heart washammering. He listened closely for several moments before he caught an oddsnuffling sound. His breath caught when a deep grumble joined the party.
Nessie woke with a snort and set to barking.
Whatever was outside growled with enough authority to shakethe very tentpoles, and Nessie immediately switched to fearful baying. Calebwished for his noise canceling headphones. She was worse than the alarm systemin their apartment building, which was murder on anyone’s ears.
Somewhere in the middle of everything, Josheb shucked out ofhis sleeping bag. “Bear,” he muttered. “It’s just a bear. Nothing to worryabout.”
As if running into a predator on that scale was no differentthan a passing thundershower.
Leaving the relative safety of the tent, Josheb soon set upa racket outside, banging their cookware together and shouting. “Go on! Git!Get outta here, ya big mooch! Nothing to see! Move it along!”
Caleb went to peek out the tent flap, and Nessie shotthrough. “Wait!” he yelped.
But she only went to Josheb, cowering between his legs asshe added her own insults.
Bending to catch her collar, Josheb encouraged her. “That’sright. You tell ’em. Make his ears ring.” He dragged her to the end of the leashthey’d anchored earlier and clipped her collar.
“Wasit a bear?” Caleb asked.
