"Guess it wouldn't be as much of a challenge if you found out about it while eating ice cream in front of the television."

Annja frowned. "I can't remember the last time I did that."

Jenny sighed. "I do that a couple of times a week."

Annja smiled. "Okay, well, we've determined David is a sc.u.mbag. But I promise you that a good guy will come along sooner or later and then you'll be much happier."

Jenny giggled. "I'll wait until Joey gets to be eighteen."

Annja smirked. "Right."

"I heard that," Joey called out.

Annja laughed. "Of course you did. How are we doing?"

He looked back. "You tell me. You're the one with the dead batteries."

"They're not dead. They're just...run-down."

"Right. You want to take a rest or are you still good to go?"

Annja took a deep breath. The walk was actually making her feel pretty good. "I'm fine. Just keep us on track, okay?"

"You got it."

The hour pa.s.sed more quickly than Annja would have thought. Joey led them down the animal run toward a smaller pond and then circled around that to a larger trail. He stopped them at that point and held a finger to his lips.

"We're on a main trail now. I can't guarantee we won't run into Dave and company. If they're out looking for us, this is where they'll be," he whispered.

"Why would they be looking for us?" Annja asked. "If they left us in that cavern to die, they probably think we're already dead."

Joey nodded. "Makes sense. Dave would have known the dam was scheduled to let some of its water reserves out and probably put us down there knowing we'd never be found until it was much too late."

"So they're probably not looking for us?" Jenny asked.

"Maybe not. But they're still going to be doing whatever it is they're planning in the first place. And if that involves being out in the woods, then there's a chance we might run into them," Joey said.

"What we need," Annja said, "is a quick route back to town that avoids any interaction. We're not ready for a confrontation just yet."

Joey looked at her. "I can move us quick, but it might be tiring for you."

"We don't have a choice," Annja said. "Just do what you've got to do and get us back to town."

"All right."

He pushed them hard. Annja found the trail fairly easygoing at first, but it soon gave way to rougher terrain and larger boulders that had to be sidestepped or else she would risk spraining an ankle.

Jenny had trouble, too, but managed to keep going pretty well. Only Joey sailed over the trail with ease.

"He probably knows where every rock in this whole forest is," Jenny grumbled. "Lucky for him."

Annja glanced at her. "I thought you were going to wait for him to grow up?"

"Not anymore. I hate guys who make everything look easy."

Joey turned back. "Will you two stop talking? I'm trying to listen up ahead so we don't have any unpleasant encounters."

Annja nodded. "Sorry."

Joey led them down the side of one of the mountains and then stopped by a cl.u.s.ter of pines. Something about the area felt familiar to Annja. "Have we been here before?" she whispered.

Joey nodded. "Yep. Last night. It was dark, though, so I didn't think you'd remember. But good for you for doing so." He glanced around. "Here's the plan. We're close to the main road, probably not far from where you guys ran into Dave. There's a trail that runs alongside part of the main road."

Jenny nodded. "We took that into town after the truck exploded."

"Good," Joey said. "So you know it runs right into town. We're going to stay on that until we reach the bridge and then peel off on a side trail that very few people know about. It's one I use to skirt the street and avoid being seen."

"You do that often?" Annja asked.

Joey shrugged. "Sometimes it's better not being seen. The less people know, the better."

"And you can get us to the hotel that way?" Annja asked.

"Right up to the back of the building. At that point, we can choose our next move."

"Sounds good," Annja said.

Joey held up his hand. "Wait here while I see if it's all clear. We'll need to move across the road fast and get down to the trail on the other side. The quicker we do so, the less risk of being seen. Agreed?"

Jenny and Annja nodded.

Joey crawled out through the trees and was back in thirty seconds. "We're good. Let's go."

Annja and Jenny followed him back through the woods. As soon as Annja felt asphalt under her hands, she got to her feet and sprinted across the road. Her lungs heaved as she did so and she wondered if she really needed more than just a few hours of sleep to overcome the energy deficiency she was suffering.

Jenny and Joey scampered down the hill in front of her to reach the trail. Annja followed them down and then bent over, sucking some air into her lungs.

"You okay?"

Annja looked up at Joey. "Keep going."

Joey's face looked tight but he nodded. "People know about this trail. If at any time I think we're going to run into someone, I'll take us off the trail until it's safe. Okay?"

"Let's go," Jenny said. "I think Annja needs a long rest."

"It won't be long now, Annja," Joey said. "Maybe a mile. Not much more."

"I'm fine. Just do it."