"I'm fine," Janessa insisted, climbing to her feet.

She swayed and Dean's arm roped around her waist, hauling her to his side. "You're weak as a kitten."

Despite the innocence of his touch, Janessa shivered. After everything, Dean Bradshaw still affected her like no other.

He was right. She didn't feel like she could walk four feet much less four miles, but this was a life or death situation. "I'll manage," she assured him.

"You're sick."

"It was probably the river water."

"We all drank it. You're the only one that threw up all night."

Looking up at him, she saw the concern in his eyes and she felt like crying but she wouldn't. "Thank you for caring, Dean."

For a moment time seemed to stop as their gazes locked. "I'll always care, Janessa. I love you."

His fingers brushed her cheek making her skin tingle. The words were out before she could stop them. "I love you too."

He cocked a brow, peering down at her. "Enough to tell me the truth?"

"Dean, did you—"

"Over here, now!" Leo yelled.

Dean stiffened, his posture revealing his sudden alert. "We better see what he wants."

They all moved to the place where they'd camped for the night.

"What's going on?" Mark asked.

"We found tracks," Colton said, shoving stuff in his backpack. "We've got to hurry."

"Animal tracks?"

"Human," Leo answered. "We saw two dudes that don't look like recreational hikers."

"I told you," Peter warned. "How far away are they?"

"A mile."

A soft gasp escaped Grace's lips. Leo's gaze met hers. "Yeah, it's too close for my comfort too. The good news is they were still asleep. If we go now, we can keep distance between them."

Janessa swallowed down panic. Everyone's gaze seemed to search her out. They knew she was the weak link. "I can make it."

"Of course, she can." Dean grabbed both their backpacks and threaded his fingers with hers.

"Alright kids, let's go for a hike." Peter forced a smile.

They set a brisk pace and Janessa prayed to Grace's and Mark's God for strength. She thought she'd imagined the voice from the heavens last night. She'd been certain they would be caught, possibly killed, and then without warning the helicopter flew away.

...With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm good." To her surprise, she didn't feel queasy at all. She was a little tired, but they all were. One foot in front of the other, that was her plan.

The sun's unrelenting rays shone down on them like lasers of fire. No one complained. They kept hiking, not daring to look back. After they'd stopped briefly for water, they forged on.

Peter began to sing, "We're off to see the cops..." to the tune of The Wizard of Oz. "The wonderful cops of all. To here he is a wonderful cop if ever a cop there was..."

"Dude, what are you on?" Colton scowled.

"Sorry, the heat's getting to me."

"I kind of liked it," Janessa said. "Takes my mind off everything."

"Really?" Peter tossed her a smile. "I thought about singing something to the Sound of Music. You know maybe, the hills are alive with the sound of gunfire..."

"Seriously, what are you smoking?"

Grace couldn't help but laugh, ridiculous as Peter sounded. Even Colton and Leo seemed to fight a smile.

Dean shook his head. "It says a lot about our situation that we think this stuff is funny."

"Hey, I'm willing to entertain any way I can. We can even do Jesus loves me." Peter glanced off into the distance.

"Sing whatever you want," Colton said dryly.

When they stopped to rest and eat beneath a few shady pecan trees, tension settled over the group.

Dean's gaze traveled to Janessa. Grace knew he was concerned about her and with good reason. Grace was exhausted, thirsty, and had blisters on top of her blisters. She could only imagine how Janessa must feel.

"How you doing?" Leo asked, crouching beside Janessa.

He wasn't asking a casual question, she knew. "I can make it," Janessa assured him.

"A day wouldn't matter if we weren't being followed—"

"Leo, you don't have to explain."

Dean nodded, knowing they couldn't afford to stop for the night. "I can take care of her."

Leo heard the possessive note in his voice and gave Dean a curt nod. "If we keep pace like we've been, we should make it to Apple Rapids by nightfall."

"What do we do when we get there? I doubt the police will be waiting around after this long."

"Should have suggested a donut shop," Peter grumbled. "We'd have been guaranteed cops."

"I have thirty bucks on me. Does anyone else have cash?" Dean asked, ignoring Peter.

Everyone fished their money from backpacks and pockets. Once every dollar had been counted, they had a little over seven hundred dollars, almost half of which was donated by Peter.

Colton whistled. "That's a lot of money. Won-Ton Palace must pay well."

"Not bad." He shrugged. "Most of the money I took from Mike. I grabbed it when I got his phone." Peter met Colton's hard stare. "I know what you're thinking and it's not true. He was my best friend. I loved the guy."

Mark clapped Peter's shoulder. "We're thankful for the contribution."

Leo nodded. "We can get a motel for the night and figure out what to do tomorrow."

"Whoever's following us will know we're headed to Apple Rapids. Shouldn't we go to the police first?"

"That's an option." Leo didn't seem pleased.

Colton frowned. "I forgot you don't trust the cops or anyone."

"Last time you used your phone we almost got caught," Janessa reminded him.

"Big returns require big risks."

"We're not playing a board game." Sarcasm lined Dean's worse.

"I say send the cops a message we'll meet tomorrow, assuming I can get service then toss the phone."

"Hard pass." Dean exhaled a humorless laugh. "I'm in no mood to outrun a helicopter."

"We could get a prepaid phone," Grace suggested.

"Now, you're talking. It's worth the money if it keeps us off the radar."

"We should probably buy disguises. The eight of us together might draw attention."

"Hey, the last time I suggested splitting up it didn't end well," Peter said with raised hands.

"Separating at the motel and local store is different than the wilderness. Some of us can check in, others scout the area and get supplies."

Everyone agreed it was a good idea, and they continued their journey. This time they moved with a purpose, finally seeing an end to the madness.

Climbing a hill, sweat dripped from Grace's chin. Leo reached grasped her hand and pulled her up. "Here," he said, handing her his water bottle which she took without question. Her water was long gone.

"That's enough." She tried to hand it back.

"Drink," he ordered.

"You need it. I'm not taking all your water."

"We're almost there. If I needed it, I'd tell you. I'm fine. You're not."

"I look that bad, do I?" she laughed.

"I wasn't going to say anything." He threw a smile over his shoulder.

Grace waited until she was closer to him, and whispered, "What's wrong?"

His brow knitted. "What do you mean?"

"I see it in your eyes. Something's bothering you."

"Beautiful and perceptive." He glanced around to make sure they were far enough from the others not to be heard. "We've slowed down a lot. Those guys should have caught us, or at least gotten close."

"Not getting caught is a good thing." She was puzzled. "I don't get it."

"I doubt they suddenly backed off out of the goodness of their hearts. It's like they're playing with us." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"I'm glad you did. I'll pray about it." Her gaze lifted to his. "I know that seems silly to you."

"No, it doesn't. I heard something before the helicopter bailed."

She was afraid to hope. "What did you hear?"

Leo's gaze slammed into hers. "God."