Camp Lore - 44. Chapter 44

Brian was just where the guys said he was – and as they said – kind of leaning against a tree with his arms stretched above him. I couldn’t see much in the dark. But for a moment, I had to grin, just thinking. It was pretty funny.

Suddenly, he asked, “Are you gonna help me?”

“No, I’m gonna stand here,” I cracked.

“You’ve been doing that.”

“How could you see me? I can hardly see your face.”

“You’re silhouetted against the camp... against the lights. You’re a black hole where there shouldn’t be one.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“I didn’t... until you said something.”

I started to feel on the ground for the keys.

“How long’ve you been awake?” I asked.

“I don’t know... I can’t keep track... Probably not very.”

He hesitated.

“What’re you doing?”

“I’ll tell you in a minute.”

I went on groping.

“I thought you were out cold,” I said.

“No – I came to a while ago... woke up – I don’t think I really passed out. Then I tried to break this branch... It’s very strong.”

He laughed.

“You hang from your wrists?” I asked.

“A little... but it hurt... I swung a bit, too... like a monkey. That hurt more.”

“Monkeys don’t wear handcuffs.”

“And they’re probably smarter.”

We both laughed.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, seriously.

“Yeah,” he answered quickly. Then he seemed to think. “Yeah.”

I was grinning again.

“Wish I had a picture.”

“I didn’t think you were into that.”

“I’m not.”

“Well, considering what you’ve been doing all summer...”

I stopped to weigh something.

“I ought to leave you here,” I kidded.

He possibly shrugged.

“I deserve it.”

“The guys don’t have a picture, either,” I went on. “Steve said that was blackmail.”

“Is that how I got here?”

“Don’t you remember?”

“Not that part.”

“Yeah – you’re their latest prank.”

He laughed – clearly at himself.

“That figures... Jeez, did I ever mess up.”

I was about to quit my search.

“What’d you do?”

“I’ll tell you when you get me out of this... You have the keys?”

“Tired of chit chat?”

“Rob...”

“Okay.”

“But jeez... I really did.”

By that point, I’d spent more time on Dan’s favor than I’d promised.

“You seem to have gotten your punishment,” I admitted.

“I hope you didn’t help.”

“You know I wouldn’t... But don’t be too hard – you couldn’t’ve guessed what the guys would do... or that they’d do anything.”

“I wasn’t thinking... The last thing I remember – clearly – is... Well, I’m not really sure...”

I laughed.

“I remember Laura behind the Rec Hall.”

“You did it there?”

I was amazed.

“Yeah... No... Look... where’re the keys?”

“What do you think I’m looking for?”

“Looking?

“Yeah – Dan dropped them somewhere... or thinks he did.”

“Oh, cripes.”

“But all I can see is dark and more dark. And the camp... like you said... across the lake.”

“Use a light.”

“I promised the guys I wouldn’t. They’re afraid we’ll all get caught.”

“Then how did you find me?”

“You’re bigger than keys.”

He seemed to giggle.

“Any idea what time it is?” he quickly asked.

“Why?”

“”Well, if we’ve got to wait till morning...”

“We don’t – I’ve got another way... Ouch!”

“What?”

“I thought I found something metal... And I did... But too sharp.”

“Well, don’t bleed to death... Get me outta here first.”

“That’s selfish.”

“Hanging from a tree gives me special rights.”

And we both laughed.

“I’ll get you out in a minute... I was trying the easier way.”

“What’s the hard one?”

“Bolt cutters.”

“Yikes! I don’t deserve that!”

I laughed.

“You really are only thinking of one thing.”

“I notice you went with me.”

“Yeah... well...”

Then he was quiet.

“Still, you try hanging out naked for a couple of hours – if that’s how long it’s been... See what you think about.”

“I thought you were sleeping.”

“Who knows? I kept hoping I was dreaming... But every time I woke up... or came to... I was still here... So I let myself doze off... or pass out...‘cause it was easier.”

“I’m sure the booze helped.”

“Not when you figure it got me into this.”

We laughed at that. As we joked, I’d been making a pile.

“Okay,” I counted. “I’ve got your shoes... And your T-shirt... And your shorts and underwear... And one sock... But no keys.”

“Then cut away.”

“Guess I’ve got to.”

“Now I know how a baby feels.”

“As opposed to how one thinks,” I poked.

“Again, you’re right with me.”

I was sure he was grinning.

“Well, it’s hard not to notice,” I pointed out.

“Notice?” He seemed surprised. “I thought you couldn’t see.”

“I can’t... but I can imagine... I’ve seen you enough in the bunk...”

“Oh... I thought you meant something else.”

He went silent.

“What?” I had to ask. I was trying to position the bolt cutters.

“Nothing,” he said.

“I’m trying not to cut your hand.”

“Good idea.”

But I was working in the dark, above my head. It wasn’t easy.

“Still,” he went on.

It took me a moment to reply.

“What?”

He seemed disturbed I couldn’t follow.

“What do you think?”

I backtracked. Then:

“I’m really sorry... I honestly wasn’t listening... I’m trying to be safe.”

He laughed again – definitely at me.

“You’re not stupid, Rob... And you’re not blind... How blunt do I have to be?”

I stopped for a moment. Then I took another one to consider. Then I really had to ask:

“Brian, are you hitting on me?”

For more than the time I’d taken, he said nothing. Then – finally:

“Yeah. I think I am.”