"I'll try to call the police, or my dad, or anyone, maybe I'll get some reception this time." After what seemed the upteenth try, Steve finally reached Mark. "Dad? H-hey, Dad?"

Mark felt good to hear his son's voice, even through all the static. "Steve! Hey, what's up? How are you two doing?"

"Hey Dad, I'm fine. Hey listen Dad, we're up here on Bear Creek, and Jesse witnessed a murder. The murderers are trying to kill him, so we have to get out fast--"

"Steve, get down!" Jesse pulled Steve into some more conveniently located brush as a bullet flew past.

"Hey Jesse, get my gun. Dad, we have to get out of here, but we can't get down the mountain."

Mark could tell that the situation was not looking good. "Why not?"

"Because Jesse sprained his ankle and he can hardly walk."

Jesse leaned over to the phone. "Hey Mark!"

"Oh no." Mark chuckled as he heard Jesse's sarcastically cheery voice over the phone. "Hey Jesse! Well, Amanda and I will be there as soon as we can, about a half-hour. Have you called the police yet?"

"This is the first call I've been able to get through."

"Okay, well, I'll bring them too. Steve, be careful."

"Will do, Dad."

"And make sure Jesse stays off that ankle as much as possible."

"Yeah Dad." He paused. "I love you."

"Love you too, Son." Mark hung up the phone. He was worried. Steve hadn't ended a phone conversation like that with him for a long while. He turned to Amanda. "You ready?"

"Ever since they left." Amanda grinned at Mark and gathered her things. "What exactly happened? Did they strangle each other?"

"No, actually, you won't believe it this time, honey. I'll tell you about it on the way."