Wendigo

Chapter Three

Three

The sun had almost set by the time they got back to camp. Thankfully, Deke hadn't destroyed the entire campsite in their absence. He'd managed to keep the fire going and actually cleared out the surrounding area. Now he waited casually at the picnic table, listening to music. Still swigging away at his Gatorade bottle, when he stood up, Reese couldn't quite tell if Deke was swaying slightly to the side. His face looked a bit flushed, but that didn't mean he was drunk. In this weather it could also mean frostbite.

"Dude!" Deke said. "Bro! Broinski."

Yeah, he was drunk.

Fleming opened up the back of the SUV and started pulling out the groceries. "Grab what you want for tonight and leave the rest here," he said. "It'll double as a refrigerator. Not sure if everything is going to freeze or not. Guess we'll find out. At least we don't have to worry about bears this time of year."

Fleming handed Reese a few bags and he took them over to the picnic table. Mina followed, carrying a cardboard box of paper plates, cups and plastic cutlery. They set everything down as Deke jumped up and threw his arms around Reese. If Fleming noticed Deke's intoxication, he was either ignoring it or preparing to deal with it later.

"Did ya see?" Deke said. "We're not alone." He let go of Reese long enough to point to the other side of the campground. "This dude showed up shortly after you left. He's camping here on his own free will. Like for fun. Seriously, who does that?"

"Really?" Kaori said. She came over to get a better look. "Who is he?"

"Some dude," Deke said. "I didn't ask him for his number or anything. He's some sort of wilderness adventure guy. Lives with the bears and shit. Crazy."

Reese glanced over and sure enough, he could see a dark blue tent on the other side of the parking lot. The owner was nowhere in sight. A small fire burned through the incoming dusk.

Deke reached over and drunkenly rubbed Reese's cheeks. "You need a beard, dude. Gotta stay warm in these hills. Like a polar bear version of Duck Dynasty."

"Drink much?" Rose asked. "God, Deke. Slow it down. If Fleming catches on, none of us are gonna have any fun tonight."

"Good point, my lady," Deke said. "And don't you worry. Got a little trick up my sleeve. We will party tonight."

Deke turned and went back over to the fire. Thankfully he didn't try and jump through it. Last year at one of the bonfire parties, he scorched off all the hair on his right leg.

"Oooh, there he is," Kaori said.

They all turned in unison to watch as the guy climbed out of the dark blue tent and went over to toss another log on his fire. He zipped up his jacket, looked over and waved.

"He's cute," Kaori said.

"He's ten miles away," Reese said. "How can you even tell?"

"I can always tell. Us Japanese have phenomenal eyes and can spot a hottie with a great ass from a mile away."

"Sure you can."

"You'll see," Kaori said. "He'll come over later, and he'll be super scorching. And you'll marvel at my ability."

* * *

Dinner was hot dogs and Doritos. It wasn't exactly wilderness survival food, but no one complained. They gathered around the fire and took turns, poking their roasting forks over the coals.