Jennifer finds them and takes Victoria back

Getting out of the cave, the duo stopped at the entrance and looked to both sides, both of them unable to decide which way to go.

“So, where do you think we have to go next?” Victoria asked, a thoughtful look on her face.

Zack briefly scratched his chin. “They weren’t here and I’m quite positive that they didn’t reach the waterfall either,” He replied. “I think they ended up going deeper into the forest.”

“So we go back and take the third trail?” The blonde asked again.

Zack was about to answer when they heard the sound of an engine echoing through the woods.

“Is that a motorcycle?” Victoria asked, scrunching up her face.

It seemed to be a motorcycle, and indeed it was. The vehicle in question, ridden by a forest ranger, stopped right before them. The ranger took off his helmet and looked at them with a grin.

“Jennifer?” Zack asked, surprised by her appearance there.

The ranger, whose blonde hair was pulled up in a bun over her head, climbed off the motorcycle and stood in front of them. “Zack Bishop,” She greeted him in a playful tone. “I see you already changed girlfriends.”

Victoria frowned and looked at him. Zack began to stammer, but the older blonde was quick to add more salt to his injury. “Heather probably won’t like it, you know?” She teased.

“Neither of them is my girlfriend, you know, Jennifer?” Zack asked, trying to stop the ranger from embarrassing him in front of Victoria.

Jennifer grinned. “I know, I’m just messing with you,” She said. “So, I was right, you two did sleep at the cave.”

“Let me guess, Heather sent you?” Zack asked.

“Yes, she was pretty worried about you two,” Jennifer explained. “She called me this morning and gave me these sandwiches to give you,” She reached into a backpack strapped to the motorcycle and pulled out a paper package, handing it over to Zack. “And also, she wanted me to bring whichever of you that I could back to her cabin.”

“Well, I don’t intend to go back until I find Chloe and Gavin.” Zack stated, crossing his arms.

“Heather thought so, then she said it would be cool if I brought back only Victoria.” Jennifer told them.

“But I want to stay too.” Victoria argued.

Zack was suddenly reminded about the bear costumes and what it could mean. “Victoria, maybe it’s better if you go back with Jennifer,” He said. “I don’t know when I’ll find Chloe and Gavin and I don’t want to put you in danger.”

Victoria’s eyes widened in anger. “You’re saying that after everything?!” She asked, her voice raising a few volumes. “I think that I proved myself coming after you!”

“Please, Vicky, I won’t be able to fully focus on searching them if I keep worrying about what could happen to you.” Zack pleaded, a pained expression on his face.

Victoria’s expression softened. “You’re really worried about me, aren’t you?” She asked with a faint smile. At Zack’s nod, her smile widened. “Alright, I’ll go back then.”

“Thanks for understanding, Victoria.” Zack said as they shared a tight hug. “Don’t you want to eat before you go?”

They broke the hug. “I’ll eat back at the cabin,” She replied, her green eyes staring at him. “Save these for you and for Chloe and Gavin.”

“All set, then?” Jennifer asked, sidling up to then and handing a spare helmet to Victoria.

The two teenagers nodded, before Zack’s eyes widened. “Ah, Jennifer, one last thing,” He said. “Can you come back here after you drop off Victoria?”

“Sure, I guess,” The ranger raised an eyebrow. “Why, though?”

“Remember when you told Heather and me to be careful with the bears roaming near the cave?” Zack asked with a grin.

The older blonde nodded. “Yes, and let it be known that I’m a little pissed that you decided to ignore my advice and sleep at the cave.” She said sternly.

“Well, I don’t know if the two things are connected but, Victoria and I found a couple of bear costumes at the cave, in the first wider area,” He informed her. “They seemed very realistic to me.”

“Bear costumes?” She asked, a little skeptically. At Zack’s nod of confirmation, she frowned. “What the hell?” The ranger whispered.

“I just thought that you should know.” Zack said.

“Well, I thank you for the info, I’ll have to come back here later to look into it,” Jennifer told him. “Can you wait for me here so you can show me exactly where you found the costumes?”