A Time for Action
Anne sighed and looked over at Hal, then turned to Lourdes.
"Go get some sleep," she said. "I'll watch him."
Lourdes nodded and left. Anne sank into the chair next to Hal and leaned back.
Ben whirled around to find Karen standing behind him and he jerked back.
"I won't come with you Karen," he said.
"Oh, but I think you will," she said. "If you want your brother to live."
"What are talking about?" Ben demanded as he looked around for any help.
She grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him closer. "That knife was laced with poison," she said. "You have until tomorrow evening to meet at the same clearing." She turned to walk away and then turned back. "And you better come alone this time."
With that, she disappeared into the darkness, leaving him alone. Turning he hurried to the tent to talk to his father.
Tom looked up as Ben rushed into the tent.
"Where's the fire Ben?" he asked.
"Karen was here again," Ben said. "Hal's in trouble."
"What are you talking about?" Tom said getting to his feet.
"The knife was laced with poison," Ben said.
"We better tell Anne," Tom said heading for the tent flap.
Anne woke to bus door opening and Tom and Ben climbed on.
"We have a problem," Tom said. "Karen stabbed Hal with a knife that had poison on it."
Anne quickly glanced at Hal and saw the sweat on his forehead. Touching him, she found him burning up.
"She didn't say what kind it was?" Anne said reaching for the thermometer.
"No," Ben said. "She said she would give us the antidote if I came back to them."
Tom glanced quickly at him, then turned his attention back to Hal.
"His fever is 102½ ," she said.
She wet a towel and draped it over his forehead.
"Take good care of him," Tom said to her then turned to Ben. "We need to talk to Weaver."
After they left, Anne checked on the wound but everything seemed fine.
Weaver woke as Tom and Ben came in the tent.
"How's Hal?" Weaver asked.
"We have a problem," Tom said. "Hal's been poisoned."
"What?" Weaver said as they sat down. "How?"
"The knife Karen stabbed him with," Ben said. "And the only way we can get the antidote is if I return to them. And nobody can follow me."
"How are we supposed to get it if nobody can follow you?" Weaver asked.
"That is a good question?" Tom said.
"If I don't show up in the clearing tomorrow evening, Hal will die," Ben said.
"It's too risky," Weaver said. "We don't know it they'll keep their word."
"It's a chance we have to take," Ben said.
"Why don't you go check on Hal while we talk," Tom said to him.
Ben looked as if he wanted to argue, but left soon after.
"I don't like this Weaver," Tom said as Ben disappeared out of the tent. "If Ben doesn't go back, Hal will die, but if Ben does, how are we supposed to get the antidote?"
"What we need to do is have someone follow at a safe distance," Weaver said. "It's the only chance we got. You know if we try to stop Ben, he'll go on his own when we ain't looking."
"I don't like it, but it's the only chance we have," Tom said getting to his feet. "And I'll be the one following him."
Weaver sighed as Tom left the tent.
On the bus, Anne was rechecking Hal's temperature just as Tom came back on.
"His fever's still over 102 but not getting any worse," she said replacing the cloth on his forehead, then turning to face Ben and Tom.
"Did you and Weaver come up with a plan dad?" Ben asked.
"We'll do it their way," Tom said. "But I'll be keeping a safe distance behind you to make sure they stay true to their word."