Lost in the woods

After abandoning Ash in the woods, Hazel started walking in the direction that she thought was back to camp. Although the walk felt like it was taking an exceptionally long time, it didn't occur to her that she had been heading the wrong way until dusk began to settle in and she was still not within sight of camp.

At this point she started yelling for Lily and the rest of them, and then later for anyone. Finally, when there was barely any sunlight left, she heard someone approaching behind her.

?Who's there?!?!? She turned and screamed.

?Whoa, calm down, honeysuckle.? Answered a man's voice in a confident Nebraska drawl.

Hazel couldn't see anyone yet. ?I'm lost.?

He laughed. ?No kidding. Don't worry, I'll take care of you.?

?My friends aren't far from here, maybe an hour or two through the woods.?

The man was finally close enough for Hazel to see clearly, she realized he was the older hippy they'd seen on the way to camp. ?Well camp is about 10 minutes from here. I think we'll go there first.? He said. Hazel was surprised to see that the hippy woman, who followed about 10 feet behind him, was much younger and had an enormous rack.

?Um, can't we just go to my friends' camp?? Hazel asked.

?No. Now come with me.? His voice had suddenly become sharper. ?Unless you want to stay here?? Hazel briefly considered her lack of options and then agreed to follow. The hippie man turned to the woman. ?Call birch. Tell him to come up to my camp ready for some hard work.? She nodded demurely.

?What was that about?? Hazel asked, her nerves piqued again.

?The park ranger.? He said dismissively. ?Now let's go.?

Once they arrived at camp the hippie showed a Hazel a detailed map of the park, covered in many markings that meant nothing to Hazel. He asked her where her friends' camp was, but she couldn't remember. Instead she gave as detailed a recollection as she could of the area around the camp and the way they had gotten to it. The man relayed the details to the woman who was on the phone with the park ranger. Hazel didn't know why she couldn't talk to the ranger directly, but she didn't ask.

Then there was silence, presumably while the ranger looked for them. Finally, after quite a long while, something happened.

?He's found them.? Said the woman.

?Take them.? said the man.

?The men too?? asked the woman.

?All of them.? he said.

?What does that mean?? Hazel asked, suddenly aware that she in a lot of danger.