Canyon Walls Read Online Free PDF

nothing in the camp had been air conditioned except the nurse’s station. Campers would fake headaches for the chance to lie on a cot in the cool room.
    Trees and plants hid the opening to the trail behind the gazebo, and Will walked back and forth searching for it.
    â€œNeed help?” Cassie asked. The search would go faster if he would let her take the lead.
    â€œNo, I know it’s right here. . .somewhere.”
    She would have forced him to ask her for help, but the teens were wandering around by themselves. She cleared her throat, and he motioned for her to go ahead of him. She found the path immediately, and they hiked silently, listening for voices or footsteps.
    Darkness fell around them. The trees blocked the moonlight, and the lights from the buildings and cabins were out of sight. Luckily, every turn, every tree stump, and every rock were familiar to Cassie.
    â€œAre you up for a shortcut?” she asked, eager to test Will.
    Will sighed. “I am if you are.”
    The steeper, more difficult path was on their left, and it inclined almost straight up. A rope had been secured to a tree at the top of the slope to make it possible for hikers to pull themselves up the slick rocks. Cassie jerked the rope to make sure it was secured tightly. “Hold on to this,” Cassie said, handing him the rope.
    Will reached through the darkness, first touching his hand to hers, then taking the rope.
    â€œThis will lead us the entire way, but the stone under your feet is going to be slippery, so watch your footing,” she said.
    Will didn’t respond. She felt him pull at the rope behind her.
    They worked together silently. When Cassie fought to scale a boulder, Will put his hand on her elbow. She felt as if she were climbing blindfolded, but she let the rope lead her up the canyon. After several minutes, she reached the trail, and she gave Will a hand as he maneuvered the final step.
    â€œThanks,” he said, his hand still wrapped around hers.
    Cassie pulled it away, spun around, and pretended not to notice how effortlessly he made it up the rocks.
    â€œWe’re almost there,” Cassie said. “One more incline to go, which will seem like a cakewalk compared to this.”
    The main trail stretched in front of them, and with no trees above them now, the moonlight lit their way. A rustling came from the bushes beside them. They stayed motionless as they listened. “Cooper? Seth?” Will whispered.
    Will and Cassie both jumped when a gray armadillo popped out of the leaves. It turned and ran at the sight of them.
    Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. Will playfully slugged her on the arm before laughing with her. “I hope I can make this hike sometime when I’ll have a chance to enjoy it instead of searching for bandits. It’s actually pretty beautiful up here at night.”
    The sandy rocks of the canyon left orange stains across his white T-shirt, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.
    They reached the highest point of the canyon wall, and the cloudless night gave them a blanket of stars. It was nights like this that made Cassie wonder how anyone could not believe in God.
    She ran her hand across the boulder covered with carved names and initials. At one time she hiked to this spot every morning to pray. She felt close to God when she was there, but now she struggled to escape from work.
    â€œI guess they’re not here.” Will turned back toward the trail. “I hope Beth is having better luck.”
    A piece of paper caught Cassie’s eye. “Hang on.” She leaned over and grabbed a sticky wrapper from the ice cream sandwiches Beth had planned to serve the next night. “Whoever was here raided our kitchen first.”
    Will took the wrapper. “But it would have been impossible for them to come down the canyon. Surely we would have seen or heard them.”
    â€œNot if they went down the other way.”
    Will scratched the back