I want to punch him, but I barely have the energy to keep my eyes open. “I didn’t ask for any of this, period. But here we are.” Please, God, please don’t let my dad fail me. Please get us out of here. “So, Dad. Are you going to save me, or are you going to kill us both?”

25

Meg

I know something is wrong when Duke comes in at the end of my shift, looking … bland-ish.

“I don’t suppose you’ve heard from him?” he asks.

“No. But it’s still early. Barely seven.”

Duke shakes his head. “It’s been dark for over an hour. I have a bad feeling.”

“Because Micah is the most responsible human being on the planet and would never wait this long to check in?”

He nods.

“Me, too,” I say in a rush. “Maybe his phone died.”

“He has extra battery power in his pack.”

“Maybe he found his dad and it’s taking longer to retrieve him.”

Duke slumps on a stool. “When are you done?”

Maria comes out from the back carrying a rag and glances out the window. “She can be done now. It’s too messy out for crowds.”

“Are you sure?” I check. “If you need me—”

“You’re no good to me. Go on. Check in with James or Brian. They might have an idea how to get in touch with the ranger station nearest to where Micah was out. He’s probably there.”

Duke drives, and I start calling. I try Micah but only get his voice mail. Like he’s turned his phone off. Which isn’t likely under the circumstances. Next, I call James, only because I don’t have Brian’s number, and I don’t want to show up at the house and scare anyone. James tells me he’s going to call Brian and get back to me. Meanwhile, Duke and I decide to drive to Pictured Rocks.

It might be impulsive, and I really hope Micah is hanging out with the rangers and makes fun of us for panicking … but.

But.

I start praying. Begging. My stomach is sick. Duke is pale as a ghost, his fingers white knuckling the steering wheel as he works to keep his beater Subaru on the slushy road.

The car is silent. I try Micah’s phone again. No answer.

“He’s trained for this,” I say. “Right? Like, this is his training. At the store, sure, with all the tours and everything, but also at school. This is his job.”

“Right.”

“I mean, if you were with him, you could survive a night in the woods, no problem.”

“For sure. And Micah is in prime shape. He’s completely prepared for every eventuality and the smartest guy I know.”

I release a slow breath. “So, it’s fine. He’s fine.”

“As long as he’s not hurt.”