“That’s fine,” Alisha said. “Just keep me in the loop. Marty should be at breakfast about now.”

Lily rose. “Thanks. I’ll go find them.”

* * *

Lily had waited until Marty had finished breakfast to ask them to come by the clinic for a few intake questions.

“My office is this way,” Lily said, leading Marty to the informal room adjoining the treatment area. When Marty settled on the chair that matched the worn leather sofa where Lily sat, she said, “I routinely review everyone’s medical history to be sure I’m prepared if anyone needs me for any reason.”

Marty nodded, their brown-eyed gaze direct and serious. Like all the other campers, they wore the casual uniform of T-shirt—this one with the logo of a band Lily didn’t know, khaki cargo shorts that came down to their knees, and substantial-looking hiking boots with tall, heavy gray socks. Their sandy hair was cut in a floppy shag.

“Your form says you’ll be bringing your own meds. Are you all set there?”

“I’m fine,” Marty said, shifting subtly on the chair.

“Good. If you need refills, let me know. If you want to talk to anyone at any time, I’m available, as is Alisha.”

“Okay.”

Lily leaned forward. “I have to ask you something, and I’m sorry if it seems intrusive. Are any of the other campers in your cabin making you uncomfortable in any way?”

“Why?”

“Because someone suggested that might be happening.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. Someone left a note.”

“It wasn’t me.”

“Okay. A friend, I guess.”

Marty’s brows drew down. “That’s weird. I don’t really know anyone here. It’s my first time at this camp.”

“So no problems?” Lily asked again. “I don’t really know what prompted the note. All I care about is that you’re not being harassed or made to feel uncomfortable in any way.”

“I’m fine.”

Lily nodded. Not an answer, but that wasn’t surprising. Kids often didn’t want to bring authority figures into their interactions, fearing that would make them even more of a target.

“I want you to know that any kind of bullying, even verbal jabs, is not okay. We will address it and put a stop to it. No exceptions.”

Marty regarded her a long moment. “That’s not always so simple.”

“I know in school there are lots of ways kids can gang up on other kids, especially with social media, but that’s not the situation here. If there are campers causing problems for other campers, we’ll send them home.”

“You’d do that? Even if they’re, like, important?”

“You’re important, Marty.”

“I’m okay,” Marty repeated.

“All right, then. I’ll be here, anytime, night or day,” Lily said as she walked Marty out. Now all she could do was keep watch and hope she’d made a connection Marty would trust.

The rest of her day passed quickly as the morning schedule of activities kept everyone busy, and as the hours went by with no sign of Chase, she tried to ignore her disappointment. Even Natalie didn’t show up for the afternoon introduction to wilderness campsite setup, with Alisha and Phillipe filling in for her. Lily had half decided to ask Nat about Chase’s whereabouts and probably ought to be grateful she hadn’t the chance. Everyone, including Chase, made it perfectly clear Chase would rather be anywhere else, doing anything else, than here at the lodge.