“What is wrong? Are you okay?” Nikolas said as he came running into the girls’ trailer to see why Julia was screaming.

“Under the sheets. Look.” Julia said pointing.

Nikolas pulled the sheets down and saw a big hairy spider on Julia’s leg.

“Quick! Get it off. Get it off.” Julia screamed to Nikolas. By that time everyone had climbed into the trailer to figure out why Julia was freaking out. Nikolas grabbed a piece of paper near the bed and knocked the spider onto it. He went outside and got rid of it. Inside the trailer, Julia was sitting on the bed still shaking from the shock of the spider.

“Are you okay?” Callie asked as she gave Julia a hug.

“Yeah. I guess I am okay.” She said as she was getting out of bed. “If you guys don’t mind, can you leave so I can calm down?” “Sure.” Callie said as she pushed the rest of them out.

**********

Julia came out of the trailer wearing a jean skirt and a red shirt with a zipper down the front.

“If you guys don’t mind, I am going to go for a walk through the forest.” Julia said walking over to Austin and A.J. who were sitting by the tent playing cards.

“Okay. You might see Callie and Nikolas. They went for a walk earlier.” A.J. said as he picked up a card.

As Julia started to walk through the forest, she thought about what had happened earlier with the spider and the bear. So far she did not like their camping trip. She was sure it would get better because they were going to have a big campfire tonight. Nikolas and her had thought of the idea. Julia had never realized how much Nikolas and her had in common. She had also never realized how sexy Nikolas was either. Plus he was sweet and smart too. She really liked Nikolas. Just then someone came up from behind her and scared her. She turned around and saw Nikolas standing there laughing at her.

“You really enjoy doing that, don’t you?” Julia asked him.

“Yes. Actually I do enjoy it. I like seeing the looks on people’s faces when I do it.” Nikolas answered.

“I can tell.” Julia said as she playfully hit his shoulder. “So what are you doing here?” She asked.

“I was just walking around. Callie wanted to go off and walk around by herself for awhile. What are you doing here?” Nikolas said as they started to walk through the trees together.

“Same thing, just walking. It is really hot out today.” Julia said as she stepped over a branch that was on the ground.

“I know.” He said. All of a sudden he stopped walking. “Hey. What’s that sound?” He said listening.

“I don’t know. It sounds like running water. I think it is coming from over there.” Julia said as she started to walk over to where she thought the sound was coming from. They looked behind some big trees and saw a large waterfall.

“Wow.” Nikolas said after awhile.

“What a beautiful view.” Julia said as she took off her shoes and stepped into the water. “Do you want to go for a swim to cool off?” “You’re kidding right?” Nikolas said with a smile on his face.

“No I’m not.” She said as she stripped down to her swimsuit and jumped into the water.

“Are you going to come and join me?” Julia said.

“No. I think I will pass.” Nikolas said acting kind of shy.

“No. You have to come in.” Julia said as she got out of the water. She walked over to Nikolas and pushed him into the water.

“There, now you are in the water.” Julia said laughing.

“You could have at least waited until I took off my pants.” Nikolas said trying to stand up. He got out of the water and took off his pants. He walked over to Julia in his boxers.

“Now you’re in trouble.” Nikolas said as he grabbed Julia and threw her over his shoulder.

“Hey, put me down now.” Julia said as she hit Nikolas on his back.

“No way.” Nikolas said as he threw Julia into the water.

“See, now we are even.” Nikolas said.

“No way.” Julia said. Just then she ducked under the water and swam over to Nikolas. She pulled his feet out from under the water laughing. Nikolas surfaced and wiped the water from his face.

“That’s it. You better watch your back now.” Nikolas said as he moved closer to Julia. Just then their eyes met. Nikolas leaned over toward Julia and gave her a short and sweet kiss. When he finished Julia just stared at Nikolas.

“Wow.” She said as Nikolas stared at her.

“You are so beautiful.” Nikolas said as he reached out and touched Julia’s cheek. Julia smiled at him.

“If you do not mind, can I kiss you again?” Nikolas asked Julia.

“Why would I mind?” Julia said. She could not stop staring into Nikolas’s deep, dark brown eyes. Nikolas again put his arm around Julia and gave her a long, passionate kiss. The kiss felt like it went on forever. All of a sudden there was a loud scream. It scared Nikolas and Julia. Both Nikolas and Julia got out of the water and grabbed their clothes. They ran toward where they thought the scream had come from. Nikolas stopped when he saw someone in black running away and Callie standing there almost crying. “Oh my gosh. What’s wrong Callie?” Julia said out of breath when she reached Callie.

“Quick they ran into the forest. That way.” Callie said in a panicky voice.

Nikolas and Julia looked at each other very confused.

“Who? Who ran into the forest? What are you talking about?” Nikolas said as he tried to calm Callie down.

“Someone just attacked me and they ran that way.” Callie said as she pulled Nikolas towards where she was pointing before.

“Someone just attacked you. Oh my gosh. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Julia said.

“I’m okay but he’s getting away.” Callie said.

“Well whoever he was, he is long gone by now.” Nikolas said.

“Why don’t you sit down here and tell us what happened.” Julia said as she pulled Callie down onto a fallen tree and sat down beside her. Callie calmed herself down and told Nikolas and Julia all about what had happened.

“I was just walking through the forest enjoying the beautiful scenery. I heard something behind me and when I turned there was nothing there. I kept on walking and all of a sudden from behind a tree, someone dressed in black came running out at me.” Callie stopped talking and tried to calm herself down. She was still a little shaky from what had just happened to her. After a few minutes, she continued to tell them.

“The person grabbed me and tried to pull me away. I tried to fight them but they were too strong for me. I screamed as loud as I could but the person was still holding on to me and pulling me through the trees. He continued to pull me and that is when the two of you appeared. Whoever it was, when they saw you coming, they ran.” Callie finished.

“Wow. Are you sure you are okay?” Julia said with a very concerned look on her face. She was very worried about her best friend.

“Yes I am fine.” Callie answered.

“Well I think we should go back to camp before anything else happens.” Nikolas said. He looked at Julia because she gave him a weird look. As they started walking back to the campsite, Nikolas leaned over towards Julia.

“This is not over.” Nikolas whispered in her ear and then gave her a sweet, little kiss on her cheek. She blushed and continued to walk.

**********

When they arrived back at the camp, Callie told A.J. and Austin what had happened to her.

“Are you sure you are okay?” A.J. asked for the fourth time.

“Yes. I’m fine. Will you stop asking me if I am?” She said, giving him a dirty look.

“I am sorry. I just worry about you.” A.J. said staring at Callie with his big blue eyes. The two of them stared into each other’s eyes for a few moments. A.J. had never realized how beautiful Callie was. He loved her long blond hair and her sky blue eyes. He also loved her personality. As he stared into her eyes, he realized Callie was his best friend. Plus she had never shown any interest in him. He was also a little unsure that he wanted to start a relationship with her. He did love everything about her, but what if it did not work out? They would destroy their wonderful friendship.

All of a sudden Julia broke into his thoughts. “Does anyone know what happened to Autumn. I haven’t seen her all day. I am starting to get worried. What if the maniac that attacked Callie has her? I am really starting to get scared.” Julia said. She had not realized that she was holding on to Nikolas’ shoulder tightly. She was really worried. She did not even want to think about what had happened to Callie and what might have happened to Autumn anymore. She held on to Nikolas’ shoulder even more.

“Okay. Let’s not freak ourselves out about her. We need to stay calm. I am sure Autumn is just off walking somewhere. She is fine.” A.J. said trying to calm Julia down. “Just in case,” he continued, “We can split up into two groups. That way we will cover more ground. Why don’t I take Julia and Austin and we will go that way.” He said pointing toward where he was talking about. “Nikolas and Callie will go this way and look for Autumn. We can meet back here in about an hour.” He stopped talking for a second. “I’m sure she’s fine.” He said trying to reassure everyone including himself.

**********

Nikolas and Callie had been walking for about a half of an hour and still were having no luck.

“I really hope that the others are having more luck than we are.” Callie exclaimed.

“They probably are, so do not worry.” Nikolas said trying to cheer Callie up. She was really worried about her best friend.

“Let’s keep walking towards that way.” Callie said pointing to where she was talking about.

“Okay.” Nikolas said. “Hey. Wait a minute. Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Callie said trying to figure out what Nikolas was talking about.

“It is coming from over there. It sounds like running water.” Nikolas said.

“Let’s go see.” Callie said as she started to walk over towards the sound. Callie stopped, with Nikolas right behind her, in front of a big waterfall. Nikolas looked at the waterfall. He remembered the waterfall from his morning with Julia. Just thinking of Julia made him smile. He really liked Julia. He liked everything about her, her long dark hair, her long legs and her violet eyes. He could not wait to see her again. Then he realized he should be thinking about the matter at hand. He should not be thinking of Julia, he should be thinking about Autumn and her disappearance. Autumn could be anywhere at the moment. Even though he knew that his mind should be on Autumn, he could not stop thinking about Julia. He could not wait to get her back for what she did to him this morning.

“Look. There is an opening in the side of the waterfall. Maybe there is a little cave inside.” Callie said as she started to walk towards the opening. Nikolas followed.

**********

A.J., Austin and Julia had been looking for Autumn for awhile now. Julia was getting tired and wanted to give up looking for Autumn. Her lunch hour with Nikolas had tired her out. Although she was definitely enjoying herself until Callie had interrupted them. She would have to pay her back when she was alone with the guy she liked.

“Julia. Hello. Will you listen to me?” A.J. said hitting her on the back of her head to get her attention.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Julia asked, slapping him back only in his shoulder.

“I said I think that we should start back because it is getting dark out.” A.J. said.

“Maybe you are right.” Julia said. “Let’s just hope that the others had more luck than we did in finding Autumn.”

“I’m sure they did.” Austin said as they started to walk back.

**********

Nikolas and Callie walked through the opening of the waterfall. When they were in, they looked around. The little cave was empty except for a few big boulders lying on the ground.

“ Hey. This is a really nice little place.” Callie said as she looked around.

“ Yeah. It would be a great place for a major make out sessions.” Nikolas said laughing.

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Callie said looking at him.

“ Why are you volunteering?” Nikolas asked.

“ No I have someone in mind though. For you of course.” Callie said with a smile on her face.

“ What are you talking about?” Nikolas asked.

“ I have seen the way that you and Julia are always going on walks together and always touching each other.” Callie said.

“ We are just friends.” Nikolas said, his cheeks turning a little red.

“ Yeah, friends who want to jump into bed with each other.” Callie said.

“ Shut up.” Nikolas said.

Callie laughed at Nikolas. She turned away from him and started to look around the cave to see if there was anything in it.

“ Hey. Look at this.” Callie said pointing to something that she saw on the ground.

“ What is it?” Nikolas asked.

“ It is a rope. Why would there be a rope on the ground of a cave that is hiding behide a waterfall?” Callie asked. “ Unless you were planning something for you and Julia to do?”

“ Do not even think about it.” Nikolas said.

“ Believe me, I won’t. Do you think that I want that picture in my head.” Callie said with a look of disgust on her face.

“ Julia and I are just friends right now.” Nikolas said and then decided to change the subject.

“ Do you think that this is someone’s hiding place?”

“ You mean it is not Julia and yours special spot?” Callie said smiling.

“ Will you cut that out.” Nikolas said.

“ Okay, I’ll stop.” Callie said. “ I think that we should start getting back. It is starting to get dark and I really do not want to be wandering though the forest when it is dark out.”

“ I think you are right. The other are probably on their way back and I am sure that they had more luck then we did.”

**********