The sound of water rushing past his paddle was the only thing Artemis could hear. The lake would have been silent if he hadn't been there. Artemis steered his canoe around a cluster of trees bent over the lake, and looked up at a rocky ledge some twenty feet above the water to his right. He heard laughing and giggling, and realized that it was a campsite.

Artemis paused, curious to watch how normal people behaved when they were camping. A girl with wavy brown hair was sitting on a rock, talking to her blond friend quite animatedly.

The blond one spoke. "So – what should I do? I mean, yeah, he's a jerk, but… still. I've known him for four years; I can't just leave him now."

The brunette shrugged. "Honestly, Teya, I think you need to get away from him for a while. Just take a break."

"That's what I'm doing," Teya laughed. "It's so nice out today; let's talk of something happier than him… it is good weather for tanning, so should we?"

"Okay," the brunette agreed. "Don't look, okay? I'm taking off my shirt."

"Hannah, why would I want to look?" Teya rolled her eyes. But she followed suit and stripped hers off too. The two girls spread out on the rock, murmuring to each other in voices too quiet for Artemis to hear – not that he was sure he wanted to.

* * *

Holly sat in the front of the canoe, wishing Artemis would get on with the trip already. He had paused the boat behind some overhanging branches, listening to the campers above. The two young girls were tanning on a rock, talking about a boy, and every so often remarking, "God, if anyone can see us, that'd be so embarrassing!"

You have no idea, Holly thought dryly.

"Artemis?" she said, interrupting his thoughts. Artemis jumped and then relaxed with a sheepish look on his face.

"Yes, Holly?"

"I was just wondering if you were planning on getting to your next campsite sometime today, or if you were going to spy on those children some more."

Artemis protested. "This isn't spying, it's studying human interactions. And they're not children, they're adolescents." He saw the look she was giving him, and decided to surrender his case. "But if you insist, I will continue to paddle." He picked up his aching arms and the canoe started to move again.

The girls glanced down at the water and saw the boat gliding past. "OhmiGAWD! There are people down there! Hand me my – no, the other shirt!" They ran squealing away from the view of the lake.

Artemis raised his eyebrows at Holly. "See? Predictable human nature. I knew that they would do that as soon as we came into their view."

"Great – you can add 'psychic' to your resume now."

"Genius, Holly, not psychic. It's simple, really. Humans react predictably to stressful or embarrassing situations. The brain tells your body that something bad is happening, and then you get away in the easiest way possible." Artemis couldn't spare this opportunity for a short lecture, even though he knew his friend wasn't in the mood.

Holly groaned. "I liked you better when you were quiet."

Artemis chose to ignore her comment and look at the map instead. "Holly, how far should we travel until we make camp again? I think that it is about time to set up the tent and start supper."

"Artemis, if your arms are getting sore, you could let me paddle." Holly rolled her eyes.

"No."

"Why? I'm not strong enough?"

Artemis rolled his eyes. "That's not it. You're injured. Any more strain will just set you back farther. It's better for both of us that I continue to paddle."

"Fine." She mumbled, settling deeper into the seat of the canoe. Holly wasn't used to being treated like she wasn't strong enough, like she had something wrong with her. She wasn't used to having people go easy on her, like she was someone who needed others – like she was a girl.