Page 13 of The Hitchhikers

“Who’s out there?” Simon’s voice was firm, challenging.

Tom tightened his hand around hers and turned his body. She shifted along with him, keeping herself behind his large shoulder.

“Just us,” Tom said. “We heard a noise.”

“Yeah? Hold on.” Rustling, then a flashlight flicked on and aimed at the ground. The beam of light revealed Simon standing outside the tent, dressed only in a pair of denim cutoffs. He was jamming his feet into his sneakers like he was getting ready to help find the source of noise. Jenny emerged from behind him in a long T-shirt and bare legs. She rubbed at her arms.

“Sorry for waking you.” Did she sound casual? Alice couldn’t tell. Her heart was pounding too hard, her mouth suddenly dry. Her mind locked on the girl’s name. Jenny. Was her full name Jenny? Did her mother call her that? When they lived in their big white house.

“It’s okay,” Jenny said.

“Where was the noise?” Simon shone the flashlight into the trees beside the tent.

“Over there. Something moving.” Tom gestured toward the bushes near the back of the RV. “It’s gone now—whatever it was.”

“Did it sound big or small?”

“Hard to say. It was probably just a bird. You know us city folks. Jumping at every noise.” Tom barked out a short laugh, and Alice cringed. He sounded like a TV game-show host cracking jokes. Alice wished she could see Simon’s face. Was he believing any of this?

“Could’ve been a raccoon,” Simon said.

“Maybe, yeah. Very possible.” Tom nodded. “Well, good night then.” Tom tugged on Alice’s hand and moved them toward the RV, getting closer to the couple. His grip was so tight she couldn’t flex her fingers. They were at the RV. The metal door handle clicked as Tom pulled.

“Did you check if we left any garbage out?” Simon said. “There’s bears around here.” He swung the flashlight, and it landed on them, illuminating their bodies. Alice heard a quick inhale.

“You have agun?” Simon said.

Alice panicked—how had Simon seen the gun? Tom’s shirt must have lifted when he was reaching for the handle. The door now hung open. They’d been so close.

“Didn’t know what we’d find out here. Like you said, there are bears.”

“You’ve got to make noise to scare off bears.” Simon’s voice had changed from surprise to wariness. “You were sneaking around…”

“We’re making plenty of noise now.”

The flashlight beam shifted, aiming right into Alice’s eyes. She squinted but she couldn’t see Simon’s shape, or Jenny’s. Were they moving closer?

“You look freaked out, Alice,” Simon said. “You want me to check the bushes?”

She laughed nervously. “I’m fine. Got myself worked up over nothing.”

“You sure? Me and Tom could take a walk.” He’d lowered the flashlight, but he was still challenging their story. She couldn’t tell if he was onto them or just thought they were stupid.

“No, no. You should go back to bed. Jenny needs her rest.”

Tom’s hand clamped on hers, almost painfully. She caught her breath. She’d saidJenny.Maybe Simon didn’t realize. Maybe he didn’t hear her. Everything went silent.

“Whatdid you just call her?”

CHAPTER 6ALICE

Tom pulled the gun out and aimed it at Jenny and Simon. “Back away from my wife.”

“Tom!” Alice said. “What are you doing?” Tom didn’t answer—or even turn to look at her. His gaze was focused on the couple. Simon still had the flashlight pointed at the ground. They were all standing in the soft circle of light, the woods dark around them.

“Simon and Jenny, right?” Tom said. “Those are your real names.”

“You don’t understand—” Jenny started to say but Simon put up his hand. Alice couldn’t comprehend how quickly everything had changed. Her husband was holding a gun on two people. She looked around. They needed help. The campground was quiet.