Scene 7 — Cal

Meanwhile, Cal was battling through the undergrowth, now moving parallel to the main trail but partially out of sight in thick bushes and plants of the forest. He was trying to balance moving fast enough so that he eluded his pursuers with not moving too fast so they gave up on isolating them (actually just him) from the target. Having to wear Lindsey’s too small shorts was a bit uncomfortable but actually helped somewhat since his otherwise loose gym shorts would have caught on more of the branches and thorns. “Keep going, I’m right behind you!,” he shouted, hoping to keep up the ruse that Lindsey was with him.

Cal sensed it was time for him to begin angling back toward the action. They hadn’t really figured out anything concrete about what to do if Lindsey’s solo attack failed, but perhaps they could evade capture and figure out something on the fly. He turned towards the second bridge and kicked up his running pace from moderate to his fastest, now hoping to evade his pursuers rather than simply occupy them. Unfortunately he soon realized that was futile, they had done a good job of positioning themselves between him and the path and would be able to intercept him before he could make it to the bridge. He could see Annie and Stefan but they would get between him and them before he got within 50 yards. As the distances closed he considered swimming across the creek and trying to intercept on the far side, but worried that might cause them to just default back to staying with Annie before Lindsey could attack so he kept pushing the obviously bad angle. Just as Bailey and Cara got close enough to try to tackle him he put his hands up.