When Lucas opened his eyes, a half dreamy smile lit his eyes. It was hard to make out the features of the face bending so near to him...hair brushed his cheek. Lucas shifted slightly, trying to see through the sun's hazy light.
Who could it be? Probably Nathan. Unusual, but they'd grown so close over the last week-unbelievably close. Their relationship, even though blood bound them, still seemed unreal. He blinked back the moisture in his eyes. What was wrong with him? Why was he crying?
Hands ran along his body. Careful, probing. A leaf drifted down, landed on his forehead.
Checking for broken bones. Gosh, he seemed thin..all angles and hollows. The day was warm-too warm. Sweat trickled down the skin of his neck.
There were leaves entangled in the guy's light hair. Brushing ineffectually to remove most of the dirt, he tipped up Lucas's chin and felt for a pulse.
But it might be Dan. He didn't know why he wanted it to be Dan. It wasn't as if he'd ever really been kind to him. Maybe that was the reason why it had to be him. Rescue Lucas. Put his arms around him, even if not a hug, but a hold...and Lucas could pretend that he loved him. Could pretend that his Dad was here, came for him.
The hope was so strong, it became a reality. Without glimpsing his savior, Lucas' eyes fluttered shut. The sun felt soothing, it's welcome heat soothing the aches of his body like a balm.
Hands groped beneath his arms, hauled Lucas to his feet and over a strong shoulder. The world tilted wildly and Luke slid into an exhausted slumber.
"I think he's crazy. Wandering about, too much sun, it'll do that to you."
"Na, I don't know. Seems alright. Thought I was his Dad or something."
"Whoo, Robbie, you? Unlikely cuss for that role."
"Hey, I could be a Da as good as any of you. Just ain't my calling."
"We mountain men none too big on a brat running underfoot, opening his mouth and givin' us away."
"Yes. Like Old Henderson's's kid. Put his Papa behind bars, all on account his mouth ran way on him."
Lucas' rescuer nodded slowly. "That boy started jawin', put his Dad in the ground for sure."
"So why'd you bring him here? He ain't from up these parts."
"I know."
"Like as not you already checked his pockets?"
Robbie nodded. "Few bucks. Piecemeal. Kid traveled light-too light."
"What you gonna do with him?"
"Well, soon's he wakes up, I'll decide. Even so, like as not he won't be doing much for a while but he's doin' right now. Pass me that stew."
"I don't remember. Lost him about there-"
Nathan swiped at the dark hair plastered against his forehead and tried to suck in breathes of air without looking winded. Dan tossed his head, scanning the surrounding terrain with hard eyes. "Probably went up hill. Hope he's still in the park."
"Park? This place is so big, you could die in here without ever getting out. Some kind of park."
Nathan was tempted to agree with Jake. Funny-he hadn't known the silent guy was Luke's friend. But when Dan finally took off, Jake had argued himself a spot in the search party. Not that Nathan minded. Kept Dan at least half way civil. Otherwise it would just be disparaging comments about Lucas and his mom the whole way. Not to mention himself. His apparent lack of direction, among other things.
"Pick it up, Nathan!"
Jake slapped a comforting arm across his shoulders.
"Could you even try to keep up with your old man?"
When Dan turned away, Nathan kicked at a half rotted stump, regretted it, and avoided Jake's grin. Obviously he missed what was so funny about this whole situation. Ow.
Chicken. The smell pulled Lucas toward reality...this time, a full waking point. His stomach clenched, reminding him he hadn't really eaten in days.
"Boss!"
The single word brought another man to his feet. Lucas drew himself up, off the ground, on shaky elbows. Watched.
Shadows shifted about the fire. Shapes...men.
"Hey, son."
Son?
The word he so wanted to hear...but not the word. Lucas swallowed bitter disappointment. Dreams. That's all he had. Dreams. Mere dreaming.
The tall man squatted beside him, on the ground. Lucas tried to ignore the sharp glint of steel which could be gun or knife...swallowed again, in fear.
"You all rangers?"
The stranger stared into Lucas' blue eyes, measuring what he saw.
"I said to get rid of him, 'fore he saw us! Least you could of left him out there to die-"
Lucas hadn't the time to defend himself. He didn't even see the snatch at his throat, feeling the iron grip trap an indrawn breath.
"Hobb, let up."
Lucas struggled, wondering what in the heck was going on-
"Don't make me say it twice." Soft voice. Gentle. Lucas wondered how it could sound so kind yet be so cold. The fingers let him go, and he fell back, sucking in air and gasping. He felt like a fish.
"Why'd you want to know if I was the police?
"I said-ranger-I've been lost-"
"That's obvious. Where you from?"
"Tree Hill. The basketball team, we've been camping, like we do every year."
His first year, but the team had been doing it ever since he could remember-maybe not this, but father-son outings that usually ended up further estranging said relatives-
Robbie gripped his shirt collar, or what wasn't ripped away. The shirt itself barely covered him.
"I don't believe a word you're saying."
"Why would I lie? I don't care who you are or what you're doing. I ran away. Actually."
Lucas' bold stroke seemed to have it's desired effect.
"Run away? Some big kid. When I found you, all you did was holler for your Dad."
Neither observer missed the subtle darkening in Lucas' eyes.
"Well, we all make mistakes."
Robbie nodded. "That's the way I figure it." He seemed nicer after Lucas' outburst.
"We'll let you sleep over for the night, but you're on your way tomorrow." Robbie ignored the rising murmur of protest from around the fire, tossed Lucas a blanket.
"You can have as much grub as you choose, long as your stomach will hold it."