The Truth in the Vision

by ecv

When Brennan leaves to escape Hannah and Booth, she makes a decision that puts her life in danger. How will Booth find out she needs help, and what does that mean for his relationships with the women in his life? My entry into the Bonesology Microfiction Challenge - 100 challenge words in chapters of no more than 300 words each. I don't own Bones.

47. Chapter 47 - Defenseless

It took longer than Booth wanted to pack everything they thought they might need. The sleeping bag and tent proved a little more difficult, but between the two of them, they figured out a way to attach them to the packs.

Booth led them into the forest, the trees closing in rather quickly. He noted how little of the sky he could see here and pointed it out to Hodgins. "We have to climb higher, where the trees are a little thinner."

Hodgins consulted a paper map and a compass he had brought with them. After a moment, he nodded. "We need to go that way more," he said pointing in a general direction. "This area gets a lot steeper that way."

Booth looked at the forest floor. He hadn't been able to find any other clear tracks after entering the trees, but he'd seen several things that indicated they were probably going the right direction.

It didn't take long for the two of them to start breathing harder as they climbed higher. They were forced to stop often to check the map. At one point, late in the day, Booth slapped a defenseless tree in frustration. "It's getting dark," he said simply when Hodgins looked up in surprise. "I wanted to find her before dark."

"I think we're getting close," Hodgins said, looking at the map one more time. "We're nearing the top of this climb. If she's not here, we'll have to wait until morning to pick another place to look."

"She's here," Booth said, refusing to consider any other options.