Grace was heartbroken.

The pain Leo had endured was unimaginable. It was unthinkable. Tears stung her eyes when she thought of the agony he had gone through. As much as she'd wanted to know what happened she sensed he didn't want to talk about it.

"Where's Leo?" Janessa whispered once Grace sat down, her expression protective.

Grace wondered what kind of relationship Leo and Janessa shared. "He's still outside."

"Everything ok?"

"I hope so."

"How long have you been a Christian?"

Grace relaxed at the sincere question. "Since my parents were killed in a car accident. They were believers, and I wanted to please them. That's how it started."

"Oh," Janessa let out a soft gasp. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Of course, you didn't. I don't mind talking about my parents. They loved me, and I loved them but I never belonged to Jesus before they died. That may sound strange."

"Honestly, it does a little. Their deaths brought you to Jesus? I'd have blamed God for taking them."

"I did, at first, but I had my Aunt Sarah and I knew my parent's faith. More than anything they wanted me to belong to the Lord."

Janessa was quiet a moment and then, "Your aunt was religious like your parents?"

"No. She was sort of like Colton and Peter." Grace smiled, leaving out most of the story. "We made that journey together."

"It's cool you had someone to support you." Janessa let out a weary sigh. "My parents are divorced. I hardly see my dad and my mom works a lot."

"That must be hard."

"I've gone to church a few times, but I don't fit in there." She chewed on her ragged thumbnail. "Everyone is so...perfect."

"It sometimes seems that way, but I promise you every single one of them is struggling. Jesus is the only perfect one."

Janessa's forehead crinkled. "He expects us to be like him, you know, Christ-like."

"Well, yes, we are called to be more like Jesus. It's an ongoing battle. I wake up, pray, confess my sins, and the next day I start over hoping to be better."

"Isn't that soul-crushing? Always striving for perfection and falling short?"

"It might be if it wasn't for Jesus. When our burden is too heavy, He carries us. We don't need to be perfect, because we're forgiven." Seeing tears in Janessa's eyes, Grace reached over and touched her shoulder. "We all make mistakes."

A sad, haunted look shimmered in Janessa's eyes. "Some of us more than others."

"But none of us more than Jesus will forgive. We just have to ask him."

"That's it?" Janessa seemed doubtful.

"Yes. Confess and repent of sin. Ask Jesus into your heart."

"Sounds simple."

"It is."

"No offense, Grace, but a lot of things sound simple. Most are super complicated."

Grace smiled. "I know what you mean."

"Is Leo one of the things you're thinking about?"

"What? No," Grace said quickly, caught off guard. "He doesn't even seem simple."

"Neither does Dean. Men think we're the complicated ones but it's them." Janessa let out a soft laugh. "For what it's worth, not all those things they say about him are true."

Grace wanted to ask what was true, but she kept silent. If God wanted her to be friends with Leo, God would show her in His time.

***

The next morning Mark and Grace got up early to talk to God.

They thanked the Lord and asked for forgiveness and guidance as the sunrise painted a striking picture against the mountainous landscape.

"...keep us safe Lord God and help us be good witnesses for our friends. Amen."

"Amen," Mark whispered, giving her hand a light squeeze before releasing it. "I think God placed us here for a reason."

"You saw it too, the looks on their faces when we asked them to pray with us?"

"I saw. All of them considered it—even Colton and Peter. We can do good here." His hand moved over the leather cover of his Bible. "Have you thought of which book we should study next?"

"At first I thought one of the gospels, John or Mark but now I'm leaning toward something that will help us see beyond our circumstances."

He appeared thoughtful. "Philippians. It will help us focus on Jesus instead of ourselves."

"Mark, I need that now. I'm scared."

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

"Philippians 4:4," she whispered as they joined the others. "You can always keep me focused with scripture. It's one of the things love about you."

"The Bible verses calm me." He seemed almost embarrassed. "Sometimes I wondered if you thought I was being obnoxious."

"What? No!"

"No one appreciates a know-it-all." He shrugged and kept walking. "And I'm aware I still have a lot to learn."

"Everyone does," she said as they arrived at camp. "But I don't know what I'd do without your support. It means a lot to me."

Mark nodded and they joined the others breakfasting granola bars and brown bananas.

"We ready roll?" Dean asked after they'd finished eating.

"Ready as we'll ever be." Peter didn't sound too excited, but then none of them really was.

Rose caught a flash of something in Colton's hand. "What are you doing?"

"Shh." He put a finger to his lips. "Just checking for service."

She frowned, glancing at the others. "I thought we agreed to keep the phones off."

"Peter made up that story about bad guys tracking us, but I don't buy it. Who even has that kind of capability? Our phones are the only way we can get help."

"You have service?"

"No, but I'm checking. Keep quiet ok."

Rose caught the look on Mark's face and wondered if he'd seen the phone as well. If he did, he didn't comment and soon they were climbing rolling terrain, hiking through the hill country.

They'd gone almost two miles, with the sun beating relentlessly down on their heads when Janessa stumbled. Dean reached for her, but not before her knee hit the rock. Scooping her high into his arms, he found a small patch of shade beneath an oak.

"I'm fine," she protested. "I can walk."

"You need water." He reached for his bottle and held it to her lips, brushing a strand of damp hair from her cheek. "Drink."

"I just need to catch my breath." But even as she said the words the world was spinning.

Concern flashed in Dean's eyes. "You're really pale, baby. You need rest."

"I'm good now."

Glancing down at Janessa, Leo appeared torn. "This isn't the first time she's gotten dizzy."

Janessa's attention swung to Leo. "You promised."

Dean's hot gaze moved from Janessa to Leo and back again, sensing they were keeping something from him and not liking it. "Promised what?"

"Janessa doesn't want you to know she's been sick," Leo spoke carefully, his eyes flicking to Grace's, who sensed he was lying.

Popular, gorgeous, Dean Bradshaw suddenly looked uncertain and scared. "What kind of sick?"

"Nothing to worry about. I've been light-headed. I probably need to eat more iron. No big deal."

"Why don't we make our way to the river and cool off before we continue," Mark suggested. "I could use a drink myself."

"Look I'm sorry she's sick, but we can't afford to take our sweet time." Peter reached behind him and gripped his neck with both hands. "We're not making our way to a party. This is life or death."

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!" Dean's voice boomed with the force of a whip.

"Hey, I meant no harm—"

"No one cares what you think." Colton stepped in front of Peter. "We're not leaving one of our own."

"I wasn't suggesting we leave anyone. If we split up, we could get to Apple Rapids faster and send help to the others."

"We stay together." Leo's tone left no room for argument.

"You think you're in charge? Not a chance." Peter straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest. "I'm the oldest."

"And the dumbest," Dean smirked.

"Think about this rationally," Peter said calmly. "She's not going to be able to keep our pace. We have to think of everyone."

"Don't pretend to care about any of us. You're making it clear you only care about yourself," Colton snapped.

"You're the one who set the meeting with the cops! You don't like this any better than I do."

"I don't," Colton admitted. "But I'm not willing to leave Janessa or anyone else. Leo's right we stick together."

"Please, stop fighting." Janessa's soft voice rose in distress. "I'm fine. We don't need to separate or slow down. I can keep up."

"Janessa—"

"I'm good Leo."

Taking in the exchange between his girl and Leo, Dean's brows lowered but he stayed silent.

Peter smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's settled. Let's keep moving."

Dean lifted Janessa into his arms. "Dean!"

"You heard the man, it's settled."