I might be blushing. Not that anybody would notice. I’m pretty sure we’re all too grimy and grumpy and hungry to pick up on that. Deke has an expression on his face that says Don’t even think about crossing me. Tony looks scared and miserable. Imani isn’t letting anything show, which she’s really good at—lots of practice, I think. And Mia, she’s as determined as ever, with a bright spark of energy in her large brown eyes.

“Good morning, everybody. Let’s make breakfast!” She reaches into the pack. “Sorry, there’s no actual breakfast meal. How about beef and noodles? That should be an energy boost, and we’re going to need it.”

Tony yawns and goes, “Huh? Say what?”

“Daniel, please explain your idea.”

Now I really do feel embarrassed. Speaking out or making suggestions is not my thing. But these are special circumstances, right?

I’m pretty sure my voice is shaking, at least at first. “Our mission was to raft down the Crazy River. From the drop-off point to the pickup location, the one Sky was going to phone in but never got the chance. The same location that other rafters would be using, if there are other rafters. Maybe there are, ahead of us. And if they survived, my guess is they’ll be heading downriver. There’s bound to be a road at the pickup location, because vans are supposed to be waiting for rafters, and a road means somebody will see us. So, what if our new mission is to follow the river to the pickup location? Better chance of rescue there than out here in the wilderness.”

Tony looks puzzled, but Deke is nodding approval. “I like it, Danny boy. Instead of sitting around, hoping to be rescued, we take it into our own hands. I wonder how far it is from here?”

I shrug. “Not sure, but our trip was supposed to take three days, and from the way Sky talked about it, some of that was white water and a lot was paddling. I’m thinking at least ten miles. Probably more. Maybe a lot more.”

Everybody is for it. And that may be the only time that all five of us agreed on anything.

Collecting kindling and firewood goes quicker, because we’ve had practice and know not to waste time searching the wrong places. After breakfast, Mia carefully folds the blue tarp and repacks the backpack. Deke offers to carry it, and she declines.

“Your loss, girly whirl. Let me know if you change your mind.”

Mia makes a face. She’s sick of Deke’s taunts, that much is obvious. When we’re ready to get started, Mia says, “Follow me.”

That gets a snickering laugh out of Tony. “Follow her right over a cliff, hey, Deke?”

“Shut up,” Deke says.