Chapter I

"Mom, do I have to go?" Moaned Leslie, a freckle faced fifteen year old girl. She was thin with an athletic body from playing soccer. "I don't want to spend my entire summer in some old, rusted cabin!"

"Yes, dear. You never know, you just might have fun!" Replied her mother, Sandra. "It's good for you to spend time with your older brother."

"Half brother… Come on! He spends all his time out in the middle of nowhere. There isn't even internet! How will I talk to my friends?" Leslie slumped down in her chair and let out an over-exaggerated sigh.

Sandra smiled and said, "Listen, sweetie. You don't need to have internet to have fun. Who knows? Maybe this year you'll get to explore the cave like you wanted to several summers before!"

"I don't care about the cave! Besides, brother never lets me go."

"This year might be different."

They pulled up in front of the small cabin. It had nothing but forest surrounding it. The old,rusted door creaked open and out came a young man no older than twenty-seven. He was muscular with thick brown hair and green eyes. "Hey! You made it! This year we are going to have so much fun!" He said with a huge smile on his face as he waved at them.

Sandra got out of the car and said, "Hey, Josh! It's always good to see you!" She gave him a huge hug then looked over at Leslie who was still in the car. "Get out of the car, Leslie, and say hi to your brother! You are being very rude!"

Leslie groaned as she got out of the car and dragged her feet toward her brother. "Hey." She went into the cabin and slammed the front door.

"Is everything okay with Leslie, Mom?" Josh asked.

"She is fine. I think it's just a phase." Her mom said as she shook her head. "Do you think you could help me with her luggage?"

"Of course, Mom!" Josh grabbed all three bags filled with Leslie's stuff.

"Oh my gosh! Isn't that heavy for you?"

"No. I got it." Smiled Josh. "Are you sure you don't want to stay? We are going to have so much

fun!"

"I know, but I have-"

"You have work. You never take a vacation, mom."

"Maybe I'll take one next year. It's just that someone needs to pay the bills."

"Okay, mom. I'll see you in four weeks." He leaned in and gave a kiss on Sandra's cheek.

"Alright! You two be safe!" She waved and headed back to her car.

"We will! I'm going to go see what Leslie is up to! Bye!" He went into the cabin, looked back and watched his mom pull away. When she was out of sight he went down the hall into the guestroom. He placed his sister's luggage in the closet, walked over to the bed where she was lying down playing tetris on her phone, and said, "Hey, Little sis! Aren't you excited to see me?"

She looked up from her phone and said, "No."

"Aw. Why is that? I know you don't mean that." He said with a fake frown.

"Because we always do the same boring stuff every year. I've been down every trail, seen every creature that's been out here, and have been bitten by mosquitoes more times than I can count!

So, no! I am not excited to be here!"

"Actually, I have something different planned this year." Josh said with a huge smile on his face.

"I think you are finally old enough to help me out with this."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Oh… Maybe not. You aren't going to have fun anyway." He shrugged.

Leslie, eager to know, sat up and begged, "Please tell me! I really want to know!"

"Okay. If you insist." He laughed. "I'm going to take you into the cave."

Her eyes got wide with excitement. "Really? You aren't messing with me?"

"Nope. I'm not messing with you. I actually need your help with something."

"What is it?" She asked eagerly wanting to know more.

"I can't tell you now." He said. "You need to get some rest. I'll tell you more about it at breakfast."

"Okay, Josh. I'll be patient a little longer, I guess. Thank you! I really am excited, now!"

"Of course!" You have a good night, sis. We have busy day tomorrow!"

"Good night!" Leslie said as she got under the covers.

Josh turned off her light and walked out of the room. He went into the kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and downed it in two gulps. He let out a sigh, shook his head, and whispered under his breath, "I hope I don't lose my sister to the cave like I lost her."