"What is it?" Georgie was embarrassed by the squeek in his voice.
Ethan returned with a big grin on his face. In his hand fluttered a piece of bright, red material. "Looks like Lucy is not far ahead of us." Lucy believed red brought good luck.
"Her blouse must have got caught on a branch." Kate agreed.
The fact that their friends were not far ahead invigorated the trio.
"Lets keep going til dark." Ethan suggested. They had found it too easy to trip after dusk settled in the rainforest and no one wanted to risk twisting an ankle.
Rudy was freezing again, shivering, then sweating. He didn't want to tell the others because he wanted to keep moving. His shoes sunk in the mucky ground. The extra strength needed to lift his feet each time was draining his strength. He swayed a bit, but caught himself. His concern for Kate outweighed any discomfort he felt. Never in their lives had they been without communication for so long. Rudy trembled, pulled one boot from the muck, then the other, determined to move forward.
Rufus leaned in toward Anne. "Are you seeing this?"
Anne nodded. They were about 6 feet behind Rudy. He was acting like a drunk who was pretending to be sober. He would sway, then jerk himself upright. Take a step or two, then repeat the routine all over again.
"What should we do?" Rufus asked
"Not a clue." Anne shrugged. "But, I guess the smart thing would be to have Lucy to take a look at him."
"What's going on?" Griffen popped in startling Anne.
"Cripes! Can't you just walk up like a normal person!" Anne watched Griffin's face flush. She tamped down her guilt. He really was irritating.
"Rudy's sick again. Go get Lucy, will you?"
Griffin hesitated. It was no secret that he didn't like Lucy's wolf.
"Uh, okay." He disappeared.
"Creepy. " Anne shivered.
Within minutes Lucy and Shadow walked up beside them, then continued on til she was directly behind Rudy.
"Rudy! Stop!" Rudy turned, his eyes glazed. He seemed confused.
"You need to stop. Rest." Lucy barked out in her small voice. Rufus smiled. He thought it was adorable when Lucy took charge.
"No, no." Rudy shook his head, then went silent. He didn't seem to remember what he was talking about.
Gently, Lucy took Rudy by the arm and led him to a bed of ferns. It was surprisingly easy for the tiny girl to force the tall man to lay down. The others gathered around.
Lucy ordered the others to set up camp. Rudy was shivering furiously.
Anne slid his backpack behind his head and tipped the water bottle against his lips. Most of the water dribbled down his chin. Anne pulled a pair of panties from her pack. When Lucy shot her a curious look, she just shrugged. "They are the smallest thing I have." She poured water on the panties, then wiped Rudy's sweaty brow.
Lucy pressed both hands to his chest. She began to hum.
Rufus came over to get their things and set up their BIVVYs. He arched a brow at Anne. "I'm think I'm a little feverish." Anne swatted at him. Rufus laughed as he swung her backpack over his shoulder.
Lucy ignored them both. She didn't understand why Rudy wasn't getting better.
Georgie pushed forward. They were making great progress now that Kate was feeling better. She compared the pounding in her head to loud drums instead of the jackhammer it was earlier.
Dusk was upon them and they had begun looking for high ground to set up for the night, when suddenly Kate stopped. Ethan bumped into her back. She never noticed. It was as if she were listening to something only she could hear. Then without warning, she pushed past Georgie and began to sprint through the rainforest.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He grabbed Georgie's arm and followed Kate as quickly as he could, ignoring Georgie's sputtering.
They were all panting in the heavy humidity when they pushed through a thick curtain of vines. There, huddled to one side, was the rest of their group.
Without waiting, Kate hurried across the opening, then shoved the others aside.
"Oh, my God! Rudy! Rudy!" Kate was on her knees, sobbing, shaking her brother's limp body.