As the sun rose, everyone got ready for the journey ahead. "Well, this'll have to do ye," Scooter said as he handed Bob a bag of jerky and toasted pine nuts. "Sorry I can't give you more."

"What do you mean, 'do us'?" Bob asked. "You're coming with us, right?"

"Nae, nae," Scooter replied. "I haf'ta stay here and look after things."

"Look after things?!" Bob raised his voice. "This is the middle of nowhere!"

"Maybe so, but more people come through here than ye might think. You made it here all right, didn't ye? And ye wouldn't have lasted long without me, if you don't mind me saying."

"Yes, and thank you for that," Bob said, a little exasperated. "But we fell down a hill to get here! And we were completely lost before that!"

"Aye, that's how it goes much of the time. People get lost, find their way here, and I set them on their way again."

"Oh, and teach them important life lessons, right?" Bob sarcastically replied.

"More often than not," Scooter responded with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

"Well, stay here if you want, but Larry and I are getting out of here."

"Aye, of course!" Scooter enthusiastically agreed, "Nobody stays here long, once they find their way."

"Well, I'm not sure we've found our way," Bob replied, looking over at where Larry and Bella were playing leapfrog, "but I guess I trust Larry, and I'll go where he does."

"Well then, sounds to me like you already have found yer way," Scooter said, smiling again. His voice turned sober as he continued, "just make sure ye stay on it, right, sonny?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess."

"Anyhoo, we'd better get goin'. I'll take you as far as the tunnel, and then you boys are on yer own. With yer bear, of course."

"With Larry's bear," Bob corrected. "All right, Larry!" he called, "let's get goin'!"

On the way to the tunnel, Bob called Larry to where he was walking behind. "Come on, Larry," he said. "You know that bear is just going to slow us down, and eat our supplies while we're at it."

"Aw, Bob!" Larry replied. "Bella won't go any slower than we will. In fact, she's probably stronger than all of us put together. And I think she prefers to be called by her name."

"She probably doesn't even know she has a name!" Bob loudly whispered. "She's a wild animal, did you even think about that?"

"Just because she lives in the wilderness doesn't mean she's wild," Larry said. "Besides, look how smart she is," he said while indicating Bella, who was balancing a twig on her nose with Scooter looking on in appreciation.

"Great, a smart, big, dangerous animal you found in the forest; makes me feel safe just thinking about it," Bob sarcastically replied.

"You never know, Bob," Larry said. "She could be a big help if we ever get into trouble."

"More like a big help getting us into trouble," Bob muttered.

"What was that?" Larry asked.

"Nothing," Bob replied more clearly. "Listen Larry, I know you're good at making friends, but sometimes I think you're just about willing to trust anybody."

"Sure am!" Larry said proudly.

"I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all," Bob said. "Alright, she can stay with us, but if she shows the smallest sign of trouble, I want her gone."

"Thanks, Bob," Larry replied. "And don't worry, you'll learn to love her."

"Yeah, sure," Bob mumbled.

When they got to the entrance of the tunnel, Larry got off Bella's shoulders where he had been taking a piggy-back ride. "Alright, guys, this is it!" he announced.

"Larry, are you still 100% sure about this tunnel?" Bob asked.

"Well, I'm 110% sure it'll get us somewhere, and somewhere is better than nowhere," Larry replied with a grin.

"Well, it's certainly more interesting," Bob said, anxious of what might lie ahead.

"That's the spirit, Bob!" Larry said. "Besides, Scooter's been living here for a while, and he seems to think it's the right way."

"I suppose," Bob said, turning to Scooter. "But maybe there's a better way, or maybe this way isn't safe."

"Safe, ha ha!" Scooter exclaimed, while Bob cringed. "Of course it isn't safe. But staying safe all yer life doesn't let you grow. And as long as you stick together, there's no danger you can't face."

"Truer words were never spoken," Larry said. "With Bella's strength and your brains, Bob, we don't have anything to worry about."

"And don't forget your eternal optimism," Bob said with a hint of sarcasm.

"That too!" Larry replied.

"Well, laddies, I think you'd better get goin'," Scooter said. "Don't want to wait for the sun to go down." The three travelers said and/or growled their farewells, and Scooter watched them walk into the cave.

"See guys, this isn't so bad," Larry's voice echoed from within. "It even seems roomier than the last time I was here. I was afraid Bella wouldn't fit."

Scooter just listened with a knowing smile as he started walking back to his camp. He did like these ones, he thought. And whether they forgot him or not, he certainly wouldn't forget them.

END OF PART 1