Scott hurried after him.
Vaguely aware of three brothers jogging to catch up behind, Scott burst through the barrier of the pines and down a walking track he hadn't even known was there.
Virgil was striding ahead fast, determination in every step.
"Virg, wait up."
His brother didn't answer him, just kept walking.
Not happy with this at all, Scott took the extra strides to bring himself up alongside Virgil on the narrow track.
His shoes caught in the vegetation on the verge.
"Virgil, wait up."
"You wanted to know where we went? Well, we're going there." Brown eyes were staring ahead as if locked on something unseen.
"Slow down." He reached out a hand and brushed his brother's arm.
Virgil spun, his expression wild. "WHAT?!"
Everyone froze.
Somewhere off to his right a bush rustled as a bird, startled, took flight.
Virgil's eyes widened, a flicker of self examination, a glance at Scott and he stepped back. "Sorry."
A bite at his lip, he spun and resumed stalking up the hill.
Scott stayed where he was, three brothers awaiting his cue as to what to do.
What to do.
A sigh and Gordon broke ranks. An apologetic smile at Scott before he hurried up the trail after Virgil.
The wind whistled through the pines.
Scott found himself shivering.
Without a word, John handed him the bag Scott had left in the car. In it was a jacket.
And a blanket.
Scott let out a breath and his shoulders dropped. A quick fumble in the bag and he dug out the air force jacket and threw it on.
It stopped the shivering.
Mostly.
Ever aware of two sets of eyes watching his every move, Scott threw the bag into one hand and resumed walking up the hill. The gap between him and Virgil had widened considerably and he had to hurry to catch up before Virgil disappeared around the curve of the trail.
-o-o-o-
Gordon was a mess of feelings.
It was obvious that both big brothers were having a hard time of this. Hell, he wasn't having the greatest either, but Virgil...Virgil was the only one of them who had walked this path before.
The man was forging ahead, pushing himself. Gordon caught up with him and didn't care if he had to stumble over rocks on the edge of the path, he wanted to walk beside Virgil and he would.
Eventually, his brother conceded and made it easier by shifting to the right, but still nothing was said.
Gordon eyed him sideways, not surprised by the expression on his big brother's face. It was the same determination he had seen Virgil use in the field. Broken arm, gonna save that girl even if I have to break the other one. A family found all gone, next house please. This is going to work or I'm going to die trying.
I'm dying inside but I'm going to do it anyway.
Gordon didn't say anything. He just strode alongside. Behind them, John and Alan were herding Scott who seemed caught between catching up and keeping away. It was rare to see their eldest brother caught in indecision and was a sign of just how this place was messing them up.
So that was how they made it up the hill, the track running across the face in a northeasterly direction until they were a good distance away from the lodge and the forest hid it from sight.
Until the path took an abrupt right into a ravine and Virgil came to a sudden stop.
A ravine.
Gordon stared at the landform and realised that the trees had changed. Gone was the older more robust forest and in its place were much younger, shorter trees spread further apart, bushes and grass dispersed amongst them. He realised that from this angle he could see a healing scar, a slash down the side of the mountain.
Hell.
Even after this long?
His eyes darted to Virgil just as his three brothers came to a halt behind them.
Virgil said one hoarse word.
"Here."
-o-o-o-