Free Valley of the Scarecrow by Gord Rollo Page A

patience first. “Well…don’t just leave me hanging here. You guys with me, or what?”
    “I’m in,” Pat said straightaway. “I got nothing better to do, and I can probably get some cool pics out in the woods too.”
    Rich and Lizzy looked at each other and both nodded. Lizzy smiled and said, “We’re in too. Might be a lot of fun!”
    “Me, horny in a tent…’course it will be fun!” Rich said, receiving a punch in the arm from his girlfriend.
    “Dan?” Kelly asked.
    Dan wasn’t sure what to say. He wasn’t happy that the business Rich and he had worked so hard to build was in such dire straits they were being forced into something as insane and potentially pointless as this, but what other choice did they have? And hey, like Lizzy said—maybe it would be fun. At the very least, he’d get a chance to spend time with Kelly and maybe put things right between them again. That alone would be worth the trip. “Let’s do it, I guess. Can’t believe I’m saying that, but what the hell. A sorrier bunch of adventurers I’ve never seen, butif it’s treasure hunting you guys want…treasure hunting it is.” Dan raised his bottle of beer in the air and offered a toast. “To Joshua Miller. Looks like we’re coming for you, buddy.”
    “To Joshua!” the rest of the gang joined in, the five friends clinking their beers together on high and speaking in unison. Then it was time to drink and party, to laugh and plan things out. It was a night of hope and friendship, where each of them could secretly dream about finding the treasure and what they might do with their share when they finally got back.
    None of them had any idea just how bad an idea they had committed themselves to, or the savage nightmare they were about to willingly walk themselves into.

Chapter Ten
    The next day was a Sunday, and everyone had agreed it would be best holding off until Monday, when Pat’s father would be back at school and they’d have the house to themselves. He more than likely wouldn’t care if they used his maps in the basement to try locating Miller’s Grove, but he was a bit of a hothead and Pat and he didn’t always get along. Everyone preferred to just wait until Pat knew the house would be empty. Besides, with the amount of beer they’d all drank around the fire Saturday night, sleeping in and taking it easy had sounded like an excellent idea at the time.
    Kelly had spent the day shopping with Lizzy, knowing she’d need a decent sleeping bag and some other camping gear to bring along with them as well. Dan had called and wanted to tag along with them but Kelly had politely turned him down, the stubborn part of her not wanting to give in to him too easily and wanting to send a clear message to her estranged boyfriend that he was going to have to work hard to get her back this time. Dan had taken the news okay and had promised to make sure Pat and Rich used the day to get their camping gear ready to roll as well. Between them, they had three small tents, but so far no one had discussed the sleeping arrangements. Obviously Rich and Lizzy would grab one for themselves, but it was still too early to tell if Kellywould let Dan in with her, or if he’d better get used to hearing Pat snore. She’d figure out the answer to that question on the fly and wasn’t too worried about it today. For now, Lizzy and she just enjoyed the day, getting their things ready and talking about what they might do with the money if they got their hands on the gold.
    “Maybe Richie and I could finally get married,” Liz said, stars in her eyes at the mention of something she’d wanted for years already. “If he can get his business in the black again, and I can open my salon, there’s no reason why we’d have to wait anymore, right?”
    “Absolutely,” Kelly said, smiling and giving her best friend a hug. “If anyone was ever more perfect for each other than you guys, I don’t know who. That’ll be great!”
    “Totally agree. Rich