Lost in the rain

Chapter One

"Okay you guys, that was a great show."

"Thanks, Dave. Can we go back home now? I'm tired!" exclaimed Alvin.

"Of course. You guys better get some rest. I've got a big surprise for you tomorrow."

Excited, the trio ran toward their bus and urged Dave to let them in. Once inside, they ran toward their seats.

"I thought you boys were tired?"

"Well not now, Dave! What's the surprise? Did you get a big statue of me?"

"No Alvin. Now listen, guys. You really need to get your rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

Dave took a seat as the trio of chipmunks stared out of the window. Alvin was constantly falling asleep, and only nudges from Simon kept him awake. Over the course of the next hour, both Simon and Alvin were asleep, while Theodore was wide awake and staring at the night sky.

When the group finally arrived at home, Dave carefully lifted Simon and Alvin up and carried them inside. Theodore went straight for his bed and fell asleep before Dave could even leave the room.

"Good night, boys."

When the morning came, Alvin rushed from the bedroom and into the kitchen, where he shouted for his brothers to join him. Alvin noticed that their suitcases were sitting by the back door. Nervously, Theodore approached Dave.

"Are you sending us away, Dave?"

"Of course not, Theodore! You're my boys. We are all going on a well deserved vacation."

The chipmunks cheered at the news. After months of shows and almost nonstop work, they were finally getting a break from it all.

"Where are we going, Dave? Anyplace fun?"

"How does a camping expedition in the wilderness sound?"

Simon chuckled nervously, and approached Dave.

"It sounds great. When do we leave?"

"Now. I already have everything ready. Get your bags and we'll be on our way."

Theodore smiled as he was helped into the car, while Simon and Alvin jumped inside. After pulling away from the house, Simon fell asleep, with his head resting on Alvin's shoulder. Not wanting to wake his brother, he kept still and looked out of the passing countryside.

"Are we there yet?" Theodore asked.

"We still have about another hour. I know you're anxious to get there, but relax."

Reluctantly, Theodore sat back in his seat as Simon finally woke from his nap. He noticed they were turning down a small road and into a parking lot. The chipmunks quickly removed their bags from the car and placed them on their backs.

"Here we are, guys. Let's get out there and get started. Make sure you do not get too far ahead or behind me. I don't want you getting lost."

The group followed Dave closely for several hundred feet before they turned down a narrow path.

"Dave, you do know this is not the trail, right?"

"Of course I know, Simon. Don't you worry. I know right where the main pathway out of here is."

Dave stopped after a solid ten minutes of walking and began setting up camp. Alvin looked around and took a deep breath of air.

"Ah.. the wild. No place quite like it. So different so spacious. So outside!"

"Well Alvin, that is why they call it 'wild'."

Theodore was the first to get his things unpacked and inside the tent. Being lazy, Alvin tipped his pack upside down and dumped everything into a corner. Simon sat his pack inside and went back outside to look around. He watched the birds flying around and listened to their chirping.

"Kinda reminds me of when we were still living outside. You remember those days, Theodore?"

"It was hard, Simon. We had tons of competition for food and we were nearly killed several times. I like living with Dave now. It's fun!"

"Agreed, Theo. That it is. Staying up late and getting to sing all we want. Life could not be better."

While Dave was busy gathering firewood, Alvin stared around the campsite, looking for some sort of food. Dave cautioned him to not venture too far, but Alvin reassured him that everything was just fine. Simon helped Theodore set up his blanket and retrieved his small bottle of water.

"Okay guys. Look at the skies. It looks like rain is on the way. Everybody inside the tent."

"Great. We're in the middle of nowhere and about to get rained on. At least we got a tent."

"And each other, Alvin." Theodore commented.

Alvin nodded and went inside.

"You guys want to tell some stories? Perhaps play some games?"

"I have a good story, Dave. Before we started living with you, we were gathering a few acorns. I had gotten one all the way to the top of the tree when I dropped it right onto Alvin's head."

"So that's what's wrong with him." Theodore laughed.

"Hey! That's not funny. It hurt really bad! Don't make me tell Dave the story about the time you peed yourself in your sleep, Simon."

Simon blushed and retreated to a corner of the tent. Alvin urged his brother to come back, but he stood still.

"Simon, Alvin was just kidding around. Come back here, please." Theodore begged.

Reluctantly Simon joined his brothers. Alvin gave him a hug and welcomed him back.

"Speaking of potty, I kinda have to go. I'll be right back."

"Ooh! I hafta go too!" Alvin said, jumping in place."

"All right, but hurry back you two."

Simon went behind a log with his brother a few feet away. A loud clap of thunder startled the duo, causing Simon to run and hug his brother. The two could feel heavy rain start to fall. Before they knew it, they were soaking wet. The rain was falling so hard that they could barely see in front of them.

"Alvin? I can't see the tent."

"Neither can I. Dave! Dave, can you hear me?"

"Alvin, he won't hear you in this weather. Besides, the tent is just ten feet that way." Simon pointed behind him.

Together, the duo ran to where Simon had pointed. After a minute, the two had still not found the tent. Panicked, Simon yelled for Dave and Theodore, with his brother joining in.

"Alvin, I'm scared. We're lost."

"Me too, Simon."