“Oh,” Marty said, “sorry to interrupt, but I think I saw you put it in the side pocket of your backpack back at the cabin.”

Ford frowned at her. “I…” She spun her pack around, slipped her hand into one of the many exterior pockets, and came out with her EpiPen. Her eyes narrowed on Marty before she quickly said, “I guess I did stick it in there.”

“Good,” Dr. Davenport said and moved on.

Ford muttered, “What the fuck, Marty,” but just then Chase called out, “Let’s form up in twos and head for High Meadow Trail.”

Marty hesitated, expecting everyone to pair off with friends. Ford glanced toward the trail where Shannon had disappeared, and sighed. “Um. So, I guess we should go.”

“Okay,” Marty said.

As they fell into line, Ford said, “Why did you do that? Take my pen and stick it in my backpack.”

“I don’t know,” Marty said. “I saw it there after you left, and I figured it might be something you should have with you. I just grabbed it.”

They didn’t know how to explain that they’d been taught that everyone on the team had to look out for everyone else. Ford, for sure, wouldn’t think of Marty as any kind of teammate.

“You could’ve said that instead of bailing me out.”

“That wasn’t much of a bailout.”

“Well…thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Marty said softly.

They walked on in silence, but Ford didn’t hurry off to join any of the others when she had the chance. Marty trod along enjoying the views, the scents of pine and fertile soil, and the unexpected company.

* * *

Lily enjoyed herself more than she’d imagined she would. She’d learned more than she’d ever need to know—Fates willing—about finding shelter, constructing a windbreak, preserving body heat if temperatures dropped unexpectedly, and finding safe sources of drinking water if she ever found herself lost in the wilderness. Mostly she’d enjoyed watching the campers tackle the challenges of solving those problems. Some formed teams and divvied up tasks—others, like Marty Riley, worked alone, efficiently establishing a neat little area where Lily could envision Marty comfortably riding out a long night or even more in the wilds. Shannon, she also noted, showed no interest in participating, although Ford watched several others, including Marty, and eventually did a reasonable job. Now that they were all on their way home, Lily registered a pleasant hum in her muscles along with a nearly forgotten sense of contentment.

“How are you doing?” Chase asked as she joined Lily in the line wending down the trail in pairs and small groups.

“It’s been fun,” Lily said, then laughed. “And I really do need to get hiking boots. Three miles didn’t sound like very far this morning, but you didn’t mention it was three miles straight uphill over a goat path strewn with boulders.”

Chase chuckled, an amused sound that for some reason stirred a tremor in Lily’s chest.

“When’s the last time you hiked three miles?” Chase asked.