It was just twenty or so minutes past dawn. The drizzle wasn’t much, but it was more than enough to dampen the ground and make the rocks slick. They would have to be extra careful. Despite the conditions, Lou could hardly wait to immerse himself in these woods once again. The serenity and natural beauty of the place was food for his soul, and he vowed to find a way to make trail running a more regular part of his life—maybe join a club of some sort.

Cap was stretching his hamstrings on the lawn, looking only a little more awake than when Lou had roused him a half hour before. He had crawled out of bed mumbling about the predicted fog, drizzle, and rain. But typical of the man, he was rallying.

“Okay, buddy, I’m warmed up,” Cap announced, looking again like the determined athlete he was. “Which way are we headed?”

Lou unfolded the contour map.

“We’re going to wind our way up the Blue Ridge Trail, right here. It looks like we’ll be pretty high up, so we might get a bit winded.”

“You got the GPS?”

“Right here in my pack,” Lou said, holding up the bag. “Snacks and water, too.”

Lou had checked both Trail Runner backpacks after his slips. Moleskin, two four-inch ACE bandages, rope, knife, mini flashlight, the map, Band-Aids, gauze, and a finger splint. He also had a special hemostatic bandage he had appropriated from the ER that would help to clot any bleeding from a scrape to a more serious laceration. He was betting the kit would see some use.

“How far are we going?” Cap asked.

“Hour out and an hour back, is what the concierge said.”

“Then let’s hit it.”

Lou started at a brisk jog, and behind him, Cap kept pace. By the time they left the hotel property, Lou’s sneakers were soaked. They continued running single file, following signs to the Blue Ridge Trail, which quickly diverged from the one they had taken two days before. This one initially rose sharply through dense forest, then leveled, then rose again. Beautiful. Absolutely magnificent. The overcast brightened as the canopy thinned. The drizzle seemed to be letting up. Lou quickly came in tune with his body. His legs felt strong, and the slope was presenting no breathing difficulties—at least not yet.

“Still thinking about my bed,” Cap said from behind.

“We’ll run that thought right out of your head,” Lou called back.