Page 74 of Mr. B

“As long as I can’t hear you.”

There was more mumbling, but the kids slowly got up from their perches around the fire and headed to their sleeping bags to settle down for the night. They took several minutes to rearrange, with the girls sticking together, though not too far from the group. By 11:30, it was quiet.

Wes and Cassandra had stayed by the fire, and he nudged her, then whispered. “The kids are all in bed.”

Cassandra yawned. “I’m ready, too.” She leaned in close to him. “Can I sleep next to you?”

“Sure. Just not next, next to me.”

“Of course.”

The fire had burned down to coals and was safe to leave, surrounded by rocks and bare ground. Wes and Cassandra set up their sleeping bags at the edge of the trees, a proper distance apart yet close enough to hold hands. They talked for a few minutes about the plans for tomorrow, then both drifted off to sleep.

“Mr. B!”

Wes opened his eyes to find Robby leaning over him. “What’s wrong?”

“They’re sick.”

“Who?”

“Everyone who went with Emily on the hike.”

Wes sat up. “Sick how?”

“Stomach ache, yacking up, and well, it’s coming out the other end, too.”

“All five of them?”

“Some worse than others. It just hit all of a sudden.”

Wes got out of his sleeping bag and put on his jacket.

Cassandra sat up. “What’s going on?”

“Some of the kids are sick.”

She got up too, and they went with Robby to where the kids had settled down for the night. The acrid smell and the sound of retching from a nearby bush stopped Wes, who put a hand to his nose, then glanced at Cassandra.

She grabbed his arm. “Goodness.”

“Yeah.” The flushed faces of the kids curled up in the fetal position snapped Wes into action. The boy who had been in the bushes staggered back to his sleeping bag and dropped onto it. Wes moved closer. “Robby, light a couple of lanterns.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Who isn’t sick?” Five kids raised their hands. “Okay, you five are going to move to the beach with Robby.

Robby handed him a lit lantern. “You don’t need me to help with these guys?”

“No, Cassandra and I can handle it. You’re in charge of the rest of them. Stay by the canoes and try to get some sleep.”

“Yes, sir.”

Robby and the five healthy kids picked up their sleeping bags and headed for the beach. Wes went to Emily, who was in distress but not vomiting.

He knelt beside her. “Did you guys eat something while you were on your hike?”

Her distress turned to fear. “Um…some berries.”