The Final Shortcut Read Online Free PDF Page B

slept several hours and he wanted to play, so he decided to take a hike. Wandering off in the dark to investigate a nearby campsite. Some small fireworks in the distance, a friendly dog barked at him and led him off to play. The rain began to fall faster and heavier. His family camper disappeared in the gloom. Everything around him seemed to be moving in an unnatural way. Sounds and sights that were beginning to frighten him; fear of the horde of hippies crowding him. His gut began to churn and he felt like he was going to be sick. He climbed under some bushes and huddled there afraid to move. Vomiting profusely and retching endlessly, his head began to pound and he could feel himself begin to tremble. All alone in the dark, in a muddy puddle of vomit and rain water. He began to have convulsions and couldn’t even cry out for help. The rain began to come down in sheets now, helpless, afraid, paralyzed and alone, completely alone.
    Marty made his way back to the camp just before four AM. He had hid from the rain in a nearby campsite with some more tripping night owls. The new friends were snuggled in a sleeping bag near the fire, still giggling. Ellen was lying prostrate across the camp table staring at the stars, her eyes wide as half-dollars. Marty leaned to kiss her and she responded hungrily.
    “I was hoping you would come back soon, I’m as horny as a jack rabbit and ready to pounce.” Ellen grabbed him by the zipper and tried to get off the table. With a little more effort she rose and locked her arms around him for a long, sloppy kiss. He couldn’t help but smile and he picked her up to take her inside. They didn’t notice the camper door standing open, or that Junior wasn’t in his bed. He made the trip to the bedroom and wasted no time undressing them both, anxious to spend the morning in her warm embrace. It only took forty minutes before they stopped trying so hard, the acid in their system was making it hard to continue, but they really didn’t care. Marty walked naked to the toilet and relieved himself. Turning right this time to check on Junior, but his bed was empty. He felt it and it was cold, looking around frantically he scanned the camper before running to the bedroom for his clothes.
    “What’s the matter?” Ellen sat up aware that something was wrong.
    “I can’t find Junior. Did you see him get up?” His tone was becoming urgent.
    “No, he slept all night, quietly.” She was becoming straighter as each moment clicked by. “No wait, he came out after you left, but I sent him back to bed.” Ellen’s face began to show the intense worry that only a mother can feel. Marty bolted outside and roused his friends around the fire.
    “You have to help us find our son, he’s wandered off.” Marty’s face was twisted with dread at the fate of his beloved child. Mark spoke first.
    “I don’t remember seeing him last night.” But it was Sarah that cast the damning report.
    “Oh my God, he got up and took a drink of tea and then took off into the dark.”
    “What? He had some of this tea, and nobody tried to stop him?” Marty exploded! Ellen and Sarah were already crying.
    Mark stood up, completely naked, “Hey, everybody, we need help.” he was screaming at the top off his lungs. “Brothers and sisters we need your help, our friend’s five year old has gotten into our stash and now he’s lost. We have to find him. He may be in terrible danger. Free mushrooms to anyone who finds him, he goes by the name Junior.” Mark grabbed a pair of shorts and continued to give his speech. Dozens of flower children and most everybody nearby converged on the camp, dividing into groups and headed off in all directions. It had rained most of the night and even an experienced hunter could not find a trail. It was an agonizing time waiting for any news of Junior. Marty was jogging non-stop calling for him, returning to the campsite every fifteen minutes or so to see if he was there.
    The sun was coming up