I wanted to wonder why Dwayne hadn’t sounded a little more disgusted by this fact and a lot less jealous, but now was not the time. Richie, who was shorter than me and Dwayne, attempted to nudge us aside as he nearly shouted, “Let me see…”

Dwayne tried to shush Richie but it was already too late. The man had heard him. That much was clear by the way he instantly froze before glancing in our direction. Dwayne grabbed Richie by the shoulder and shoved him down as we quickly ducked behind the bushes bordering the clearing.

Dwayne held a finger to his lips, signaling to remain quiet as we stood crouched like that for several very tense seconds, straining our ears to listen for the sound of approaching footsteps. My pounding heart suddenly skipped a beat as I heard the CRACK of a snapping twig meer feet from us.

That’s when Dwayne removed the finger from his lips and mouthed the word, “Go.”