Chapter Two

We walked into the woods. I was basically shaking in my boots. It was dark out. We were in the woods. And I was alone with Gray. What else could go wrong? An animal sound was emitted through the air and I tensed up, gasping as I looked up.

"It was just an owl," Gray's velvet voice scared me. My eyes darted back to him. He was looking up at the full moon through the thick tree canopy. I nodded and we continued through. Our boots crunched beneath the ground and I began wondering how far away the next camping ground was. "You know, we can turn around if you want..." Gray suggested.

"I don't want to face Ann's consequences," I replied. I was surprised by how even my voice was. Gray nodded along. He must of known exactly what I was talking about. He was her brother. I heard another owl hoot. Tensing up, I earned a chuckle from Gray. I looked over at him as he continued forward.

"You know, you're a little jumpy." Gray commented over his shoulder. I furrowed my brow. "That's alright. You're brave for coming out here." Some color flooded into my cheeks as he said this. Good thing he couldn't see my face. The milky moon light flooded in through the thick foliage. Gray seemed to know where he was going though, so I followed behind him.

"Gray?"

"Mh-hm?"

"Thank you for coming with me," I said, my heart thudding, "I don't think I could of gone without you."

"You always say that," Gray came to an abrupt stop. I ran into his back. I staggered back a bit. He turned to me. His eyes could clearly be seen in the dark, "Why?"

"I'm only pointing out a fact," I looked down at my feet, to scared to meet his eyes, "Like with the fish. No way was I strong enough to bring that in. Thank you." I looked up at him, wondering if he was angry with me. His face was surprisingly calm after my explanation. The silence was eating me alive, though. He opened his mouth, but snapped it shut. After another moment, his cheeks tinged pink and he became flustered.

"It's... it's no problem," He stuttered, turning away from me. He began trudging through the grass and branches again, "I'm glad I can help." I quickly skipped after him, too scared to fall behind. Gray looked into the sky, "It's getting late." How long had we already been out here? Would we be able to make it back in time, "Dammit, Ann. Never using your mind."

"We don't have to go all the way there," I pointed out. "We can stick close to the camp and judge how long it would really take us, then say we did." Gray stopped when he heard my suggestion. He thought about it for a moment. He turned towards me with a stomach-flipping pearly smile.

"You're right," He nodded, "Wonder why I didn't think of that sooner." Gray rolled his blue flannel shirt sleeves up to his elbows like mine and pointed back in the direction we came from. I turned around and began leading us back, happy that my suggestion was valid. Suddenly, a tree root came in my path. Clumsily, I tripped over and slammed harshly onto the ground. "Claire! Are you alright?" I heard Gray said. I couldn't answer him though, only wheez like an idiot.

"Y... yeah," I wheezed, "Just... tripped..." I began pushing back to my feet when I heard an odd noise. I froze where I was on all fours and just listened. I heard the shifting of grass. I strained my eyes to see what it was, but because of no light and only the moons milky glare, I had a hard time spotting what I was hearing. I leaned further in to look and soon, I was face to face with a snake. A snake. I screamed blood murder and leapt into the air. I ran straight into Gray, throwing my arms around his shoulder and leaping into his arms bridal style. I was screaming still, pressing my face into the crook of his neck. "SNAKESNAKESNAKESNAKE!" I screamed over and over though his ear was five feet above me, "RUN!" Gray staggered back for a moment, then wove around a tree with me still in his arms. "SNAKESNAKESNAKE!" I shook my head, tears threatening to fall. I was a major scaredy cat of snakes.

"CLAIRE!" Gray shouted over my screaming, "CLAIRE!" I became silent now, "We're not anywhere near it now. I'm... I'm going to put you down now." I pushed away from his neck to see blush on his face as he gazed down at me. We were only inches apart. I could feel his hot breath on my face.

"R... right," I whispered. He set me on my feet and began trying to catch my breath. Everything just happened in one huge blur. I don't even remember throwing myself into Gray like that, "I'm sorry..." I whispered after a long moment of awkward silence between us, "I shouldn't of freaked out like that." I twirled a lock of my blond hair around my index finger. A nervous habit. My heart is still hammering after that. Between seeing a snake five feet infront of me and being inches from Gray's lips... well, it was enough to give me a heart attack.

"That's alright," Gray replied, sheepishly, "It's a good thing you're alright." I nodded, wishing I could just lie down and die. He cleared his throat and looked at the sky while I thudded against the thick tree behind me, letting out an uneven sigh.

I can't believe I just did that. My mind wandered off. I bet Gray thought I was stupid. A sissy. No fun. I just leapt into his arms and had him carry me off. Oh my goddess, SHOOT ME NOW.

"Claire."

I ignored him, staring down at the ground. I felt something on my shoulder. I assumed it was Gray shaking my shoulder. I bet he just wanted to go back to the campground, lie down, and ignore me for the rest of our lives.

"Claire." Firmer this time. By now, something felt awkward on me. "CLAIRE!" My head shot to the shoulder where something was touching me. My eyes widened and my mouth opened up and emitted the loudest scream ever. A snake was slithering onto me. I raced way from the tree, tripping over its jutting roots. By now, tears were running down my cheeks as the ground neared. This was too much for me. Suddenly, I stopped, right before the ground. A warmth engulfed me.

Gray was holding me tight to his body, knelt on the ground. One hand was placed in the middle of my back while his other hand stroked through my hair. I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my face against his collar bone. Tears ran down my cheeks as I shook in Gray's arms. I just wanted to go to the campground so bad. Away from all these nocturnal snakes. Hell, I'd rather be in the raft on the river.

Okay. That was probably an over-exaggeration.

"Gray," I manged to whisper into his chest, "P...please take me back to the campgrounds." Gray scooped me up into his arms, making me feel absolutely pathetic. I bunched his flannel shirt up in my hand and pressed my face into it, trying to stop the pathetic tears rolling down my cheeks, but they just kept coming.

"Ah-hah! They're back!" I heard Ann call.

"Oh my Goddess!" Kai rasped, "What's wrong with Claire!" Gray just kept walking. I began feeling the warmth of the fire and I assumed Gray was about to put me down. But he didn't. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Gray's voice made his chest vibrate against my head, "We ran into some... snakes." I tensed at the word and still didn't dare open my eyes.

"Did she get bit?" Ann asked. I could already hear guilt oozing into her voice.

"No," Gray replied, "She's just really freaked out right now."

"Claire?" I heard Kai's voice next to my hear. He placed a tender hand on my tense shoulder. I pressed my face further into Gray's shirt like a big baby who was shy to meet their parents friends. "Claire, look at me." I sighed into Gray's chest and slowly pulled my face out. The fire was softly illuminating Kai's curved tanned face. I could see Ann behind him fidgeting with her braid. My eyes were probably red and puffy from crying. "Are you alright?" He asked me.

"Y... yes," I managed to squeak, "I'm sorry..."

"Sorry for what?" Kai asked.

"I didn't make it to the campground."

"Consequence!" I heard Ann call from behind Kai.

"No!" Gray hissed, "Don't you see how scared she is! She could of easily of been bitten!" There was a silence after that, Gray's arms still locked tightly around my body. I would of loved to stay there forever, but eventually he set me down and said goodnight to us. He then stalked into his tent.

"Come on, Claire." Ann patted my shoulder, "Let's get some shut eye. We're going rafting tomorrow!" I gulped when I heard her say this. Kai then threw water over the fire, leaving me in complete darkness.

The next morning I awoke to the smell of bacon. Ann and Mary were still asleep, so I assumed Kai was up. I redressed myself and stepped out into the fresh sun. Sure enough I spotted Kai with a frying pan over the fire. It was sizzling and cackling with bacon.

"Mornin'!" Kai called to me as I seated myself opposite of him, "Sleep well."

"Like a rock," I replied with a small smirk.

"You feeling okay from last night?" Kai asked absent mindely watching the bacon cook up.

"Yep," I nodded. "I shouldn't of acted like a big baby." I now laughed, but Kai's face remained locked in a serious look. He stared at the bacon and an uncomfortable silence came between Kai and I. I fidgeted with the log I was sitting on, then glanced out at the raging river. Had it's speed picked up since yesterday? Was that even possible? Suddenly, my stomach emitted a loud growl. Kai burst into a rack of laughter as he continued cooking.

"Hungry?"

"Hell yeah," I replied, getting a chuckle from Kai. We heard rustling and watched as Cliff stumbled from the tent, wiping the grogginess from his eyes, "Morning, Cliff!"

"Hmmnn?" Cliff stretched and yawned, rubbing the back of his head. He looked around before his eyes lie on the pot of bacon over the fire, "Oh. Goodmorning, Claire. Kai." Kai nodded off to Cliff as he seated himself beside me. There was another silence before Mary joined us. Then Gray. By now, we were serving the bacon (and sausage that I didn't know he had already cooked) among us, leaving some for the late riser, Ann. "She usually doesn't sleep this late," Cliff murmered behind a link of sausage.

"Guilt makes her sleep longer," Gray replied. I raised my eyebrows at this and shot a look across the fire. He stopped mid-chew with bacon, "No. I'm being serious." Well, alright. I didn't know Ann slept longer when guilt consumed.

"Why is she guilty?" Mary asked.

"You didn't hear all the yelling last night?" Kai asked, cocking an eyebrow up at the librarian. She blushed and shook her head, "Claire almost got attacked by two snakes. Gray had to carry her back."

"Oh my," Mary looked at me, "Claire, are you alright?" I nodded.

"Well, I'll go get her lazy butt up." I threw my empty plate away and crossed to the girls tent. I unzipped it and peeped my head in, "Hey, Ann! Get up!" She rolled over, thrashing her head side to side. "Ann!" She moaned and threw a random punch in the air, "Hey, Ann!" She suddenly reared her foot back and nailed me in the face. I flew backwards and landed flat on my backside. All the air escaped me. "ANN!" I screamed. She shot up now and looked at where I was sitting. She was lucky she didn't break my nose!

"Huh?" She looked around and began rubbing her eyes, "What's wrong, Claire?"

"You're the last one up!" Her eyes peeped open at this.

"NO WAY!" She leaned out of the tent and was surprised to see everyone staring at us from the fire, "AH MAN!" She zipped the tent up and began trashing around to get into new clothes.

"She kicked you in the face," Cliff pointed out, "Are you alright?" I touched my throbbing cheek. "It's bruised."

"I'll live." I replied with a small smile.

By now, it was close to nine. Ann got the raft blown up, Gray tied the safety material in. Kai showed us how to use our oars. All of us clipped small life vests on. I doubted if anyone fell into the water that these would help. They were flimsy anyway. Everyone began filing onto the boat. I was last in line. Everyone was assigned seating according to Ann. Ann and Cliff took back plank. Mary and Kai took middle plank. Gray and I took front plank.

Of course, I get put at the front of the raft. I'd rather the middle, but I decided not to throw a fit. They weren't going to figure out I was hydrophobic anyway. After Gray seated himself, all eyes went to me. I was standing infront of the raft. My knees were basically knocking together.

"Come on, Claire!" Ann called, "Daylight is burning!"

"R...right," I mumbled. I staggered onto the raft, my heart thudding in my chest. I seated myself roughly on the side of the raft. I could feel Gray's eyes burning into mine, but I just held onto my oar like it was my lifeline. (I was seriously doubting the power of these life vests.)

"And away we go!" Kai called energetically. We pushed away from land and that's when the current began taking us downstream. I used my oar to wade through the light rapids. Hopefully this was all it was going to be. A leisurely float down the "raging" river. I heard the cry of an eagle over head. I looked up and shaded my eyes to see it majestically flying in the bright blue sky. "Alright! Looks like it's about to get rougher!" My head shot forward and my eyes nearly bugged out of my skull like a cartoon character. Kai was right. We brushed along side of a rock, causing the raft to rock back and forth a little bit. The rapids began making the ride a little bumpy. I could feel my face flush as a light layer of mist covered my skin. I continued stroking through the water with my oar, just wanting to scream and cry and be on solid land. "Isn't this fun!" Kai called, throwing his hands into the air as we went down a mini waterfall. Kai cheered and thrashed his arms around in his hands. That's when suddenly his oar slipped out of his hands and splashed into the water, "Oops."

"Dumbass," Ann rolled her eyes. She began reaching for it but couldn't grab it. Everyone was now watching as Ann tried to grab it, but we moved down stream to fast. We all watched the oar slowly become smaller in our vision.

"WATCH OUT!" Mary screamed, pointing inbetween Gray's and I's head. That was the loudest I had ever heard Mary. My head shot forward and my heart nearly thudded to a stop.

"LEVEL FIVE!" Ann screamed, "PREPARE YOURSELF!" I gripped onto my oar. I heard Kai brace himself. I dug my oar into the water and we all began stroking, trying our best to take on the obstacles. A huge wave splashed overboard, causing Gray and I to get drenched. I shivered, my brain ready to shut down. My bangs stuck to my forehead as we continued navigating through the "level five" rapids. Suddenly, my oar was ripped from my hands, "CLAIRE! GRAB IT!" Ann bellowed. Fears flashed through my mind as I automatically began reaching out.

"NO!" Gray screamed. We went over a bump and suddenly, I was airborne. As I flew through the air, I thought I heard screaming. It was mine. I suddenly splashed into the water. The chilliness of the river soaked me to the bone. I began thrashing around, the raging currents throwing me all around. My lungs began burning as I could barely make out the shape of the raft above me still. I knew it. This life vest wasn't saving my life. It was preventing me from using my arms. Quickly, and with shaking hands, I unclipped the life vest. As soon as I did, I felt more like a dead weight. Okay... maybe it was helping me. I heard another splash. Oh no. Did someone else fall in? How long had I been underwater? Arms slithered around me. My eyes darted to the side to meet large blue ones. Gray? We resurfaced and I went into a coughing fit. The raft wasn't too far ahead of us. I latched onto Gray since I no longer had a life vest. He began treading water and I could only help by kicking my legs.

"HURRY!" Ann cupped her hands over her mouth.

"Where's your life vest?" I heard Gray sputter as he continued swimming. I couldn't believe his hat was still on his head.

"It came off," I lied, not wanting to tell him I unbuckled it from my torso.

"Damn lifejacket," Gray swore. We were nearing the raft and I began relaxing. "OH NO!" Gray's voice boomed through my ear, nearly causing me to go deaf. My eyes widend when I realized Gray's reason for crying out. We suddenly got sucked under by an undertoe current. I could heard thrashing. My arms remained locked around Gray's neck. But I suddenly felt his hands pry my arms off. What was he doing? As soon as he wiggled my grasp free I went spiraling out of the dangerous current. I went spinning out of control. My shoulder bumped roughly into a rock, but I wasn't quick enough to grab it. My eyes search everywhere for Gray. Was he still stuck in the under toe? That's when I spotted his hat. I was able to snatch it into my hands and desperately look around for Gray. I spotted him swimming through the water, fatigued. I began falling. Another mini waterfall. My lungs needed air. Gray threw his arm around my torso and brought us back to the surface. I let out a gasp of air, my hair sticking to my face.

"Gray!" I cried out, "Are you alright?" There was a cut across his cheek. He nodded and looked ahead. There was our raft. Kai was leaned over though. I gasped when I saw Ann holding onto Cliff. How had they fallen out? I guess the same way I did.

Gray's arms lashed out and grabbed a rock. His hands were too slippery to keep us latched to it though. Gray wrapped his arms around the small of my back, pulling me in closer. Think straight, Claire. You almost drowned. We went down a mini-fall. Now I understood why Gray was holding me so tight. It wasn't tight enough, though. I fell out of his grasp again and went spiriling. Oh no. I still had Gray's hat. I decided to put it inside my shirt. I began thrashing around. I spotted Gray ahead of me, trying to get back to me but the currents were too much. We were actually approaching the raft closer underwater. I could still see Cliff and Ann's legs treading through the water.

I needed air. Desperately. Suddenly, a strong current hit me and I went speeding ahead. I whizzed up to where Gray was. He threw his hand out, his eyes wide with shock and concern. My hand flew out to grab his, but easily slipped through it. The whole world was crashing down on me a this point as I ended up below the raft. Even if I managed to swim upwards I was stuck under the raft. I could feel a slowness begin taking me over. It felt like I was going to pass out from air deprivition. I felt a hand suddenly grab my arm and pull me up. It was Kai. I went into a coughing fit holding onto the side of the raft as we continued pounding along the river. Gray was holding onto the other side, Ann and Cliff holding onto an oar Kai was attatched to.

Suddenly, our raft was thrown to the side thanks to a rock and raging current. We were thrown against the mountain side that surrounded this river. I let out a scream of pain, since it was me who made impact with it. It caused me to lose my grip and once again enter the underwater world. No! No! No! I began shaking my head, trying to desperately resurface. I could somehow hear Mary's desperate screams. Gray began swimming downwards. No, Gray! I wanted to scream, You'll drown! Just forget me! He kept coming though. He threw his arms around me just as a huge current took us in. We began spinning in large circles. I heard splashed. My eyes scanned the surface to see a flipped over raft. The supplies bag was still safely secured. I could see Mary's thrashing figure. Kai grabbed her thankfully. Gray and I were spit out from the current and sent far ahead of the others, who had luckily partner'd up. I felt a deep heaviness on me. My head fell against Gray's chest. Air filled my lungs suddenly. I coughed some water up, but my eyes remained shut. I didn't think I could them open any longer.

"Claire!" I heard Gray rasp over the currents, "Dammit, Claire! Don't you die on me!" The sounds began fading in and out. My head was pounding. I tightened my grip around Gray's neck as we began getting thrown around again by the rapids, "Claire!" I could feel my grip loosen. No! I screamed at my body. It loosened some more, Don't let go of Gray! "Claire!" Everything faded out.

I shot up. I leaned over and coughed water up. I was still pretty wet. Gray's hat was still in my shirt. Gray. Where was he? I realized I was washed up on the bank of the river. Dirt stained my clothes, my hair probably a frizzy mess. I looked all around me, my heart thudding. Where was I? Where was everyone else?

"GRAY!" I screamed, cupping my hands around my mouth, "ANN? MARY?" Silence. I staggered to my feet and looked around, wanting to just break down and cry. I was completely lost. "GRAY!" I screamed again.

"Yeah?" I nearly jumped twenty feet into the air. I spun around to see a wet and dirt stained Gray. His carrot red hair was sticking up in all different spots, but his eyes were still bright.

"Oh! You're okay!" Without thinking I threw my arms around his neck. My eyes popped open when I realized what I was doing. I staggered back from his clearing my throat, "Sorry."

"Is my hat in your shirt?" Gray asked after a moment. Slowly I pulled his hat out. He shrugged and put it back on his head.

"Do you know where we are?" I asked, looking around, then back at the stupid river. He only shook his head. "The others?" I asked depserately.

"I lost sight of them after we got sucked back under," Gray explained, "You passed out and the current took us underwater. Once I got us resurfaced, they were way ahead. And then I got knocked out and woke up here." I sighed and dropped my head. "It's alright," Gray said, trying to be encouraging. It wasn't working, "We'll find them."

"Hopefully," I muttered. I shook my head. I knew this was all a bad idea. Gray unbuckled his life vest and tossed it to the ground. We then turned to thick forest before us. We just needed to find help. Or our friends. Or both. Who knew how hurt they all were. Gray had a cut on his face. This was when I noticed blood was dried on the side of my head. "What the hell?" I rasped, feeling a fresh gash right above my ear.

"You hit your head on a rock." Gray told me.

We were definetly going to need help.