CHAPTER 8
Tim helped Paul grab onto the lowest branch. Paul climbed higher. But when he got to a sitting position on a branch just out of reach of the cache, he looked down at Tim.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Paul whispered.
“Sure you can,” Tim said. “You’ve already made it pretty far. You only have to climb up one more branch.”
Paul looked up at the cache. Then he shook his head. “No, I can’t do it,” he said. “I really can’t.”
Tim sighed. “It’s not a big deal,” he said. “Just come on back down.”
Paul’s face turned red. “I can’t,” he said again. “I’m really scared of heights.”
Tim threw up his hands. “Then why did you climb up there?” he asked.
Paul shrugged. He looked up at the cache, twinkling in the branch above him. “I guess because I knew you really wanted the prize,” he said quietly. “And I wanted to make sure our team got it. I thought I could do it. I thought I wouldn’t be scared.”
“Okay,” Tim said. “It’s not a big deal. We’ll get you out of there. I’ll just go get Mr. Saber.”
Paul’s eyes got wide. “No way,” he said. “You can’t leave me here.”
“I’ll be back in, like, twenty minutes,” Tim said, trying to keep his voice calm. But inside he was starting to worry. He was worried about Paul. Plus, he wasn’t sure what time it was. If they were still out in the woods when it got dark, it could be really hard to find their way back to the beach.
Paul shook his head. “Seriously, Tim,” he said. “Please don’t leave.”
Tim took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said. He looked at the tree. There was no way he’d be able to get to the first branch without someone to help him up. And he didn’t think Paul would be able to get down alone. He was too scared.
Then Tim slapped his forehead. “Of course!” he said. “Why didn’t I think of this before?”
“What?” Paul asked nervously.
Tim reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Whew,” he said. “I still get service out here.” He quickly called Brent’s number.
After a couple of rings, Brent picked up. “If you’re calling to tell me you’re almost back to the beach, you’re too late,” Brent said. “We already won!”
Tim shook his head. “I’m not,” he said. “I’m calling because I need help. Paul and I are at the cache spot we were sent to. Problem is, the cache is in a tree, and Paul’s stuck.”
He heard Brent take a deep breath.
“Yikes,” Brent said. “Dad’s swimming. Should I wait for him to get back?”
“I don’t think there’s time for that,” Tim said.
“Okay,” Brent said. “Tyrone and I are on our way. Should we just walk straight to the cache, or is there anything in the way, like a river or anything?”
“Nope, nothing like that,” Tim said. He glanced up at Paul, and added, “Just get here as fast as you can.”