Disclaimer:  I don't own any of the HG characters or stuff like that.  The story idea is my own – that's all.

CHAPTER NINE

            Scott shifted uncomfortably in his sleeping bag.  He had been bunking with Peter for over a week now and he was tired of sleeping on the floor.  "Any chance I could get a cot or something in here?"  Peter didn't respond.  "Peter?"  Scott sat up and glanced towards the chair where Peter had been reading.  He was fast asleep.

            Scott's head was swarming.  Now was his chance.  He could sneak out and talk to Shelby, make sure everything was okay between them.  On the other hand, if he got caught it was possible that he'd never see Shelby again.

            His urge to talk to Shelby won out.  As quietly as he could he put on his sneakers and walked toward the door.  The door creaked when he opened it.  He glanced back and was relieved to see that Peter hadn't stirred. 

            Finally, he was outside.  He was free.  He took a second to breathe in the night air.  He had a fleeting thought of running, but was interrupted by footsteps behind him.

            "Going somewhere?"

            Scott slowly turned around and came face to face with Shelby.  He breathed a sigh of relief.  "Am I ever glad to see you."

            "Well, that makes one of us."  Her eyes could have burned a hole through Scott's soul.  "What is going on with you?"

            How could Scott sum up the last few weeks of his life?  Chaos?  Hell?  These words didn't even come close to describing how he felt.  "I'm sorry Shel.  I can't do this.  Not like this."  Scott turned and walked back into the cabin.

            "Peter?" Scott gave Peter a nudge.  "Peter, I need to talk to you."

            Peter opened his eyes to Scott standing over him.  "What is it?  Is something wrong?"

            "Yah, something's wrong.  Shelby is outside.  I need to talk to her, but I won't do it without your permission."

             "I'm glad to see that you're following the rules."  He sat up straight in the chair.  "You and Shelby will have time to talk soon enough.  In the meantime, I suggest you tell her that it is past lights out.  I would hate for her to get into trouble too."

            Scott groaned, but did as Peter asked.  He was determined to make this work – he loved Shelby too much to screw up again.