CHAPTER 9
It took twenty minutes for Tyrone and Brent to find Paul and Tim. When they arrived, they were sweaty and out of breath from running through the woods.
“That was pretty easy,” Brent said. “Man, what did people do before GPS existed?”
Tim shrugged. “Do you think we can get Paul down?” he asked quietly, pointing up at their friend in the tree.
Brent and Tyrone stared up at Paul. “Yeah, I think we can,” Brent said.
“What are you guys going to do?” Paul asked nervously.
Brent looked at Paul. “Just leave it to us, buddy,” he said. Then he turned to Tyrone and Tim. “Here’s the plan,” he said. “Tim and I will climb up. I’ll start down the tree before Paul does. That way, he’ll know there’s always someone right below him. Just in case. Then he and Tim will climb down at the same time.”
Tim looked at Paul. “Did you hear that?” he asked. “Do you think it’ll work?”
Paul nodded slowly. “I think so,” he said.
Tyrone boosted Brent and Tim into the tree. Tim climbed all the way up to Paul. Brent stayed a branch below them.
Slowly, Paul crept down. Sometimes he’d look down at the ground and shiver or close his eyes. Then Tyrone, Brent, or Tim would tell him he could do it.
It took about ten minutes before all four boys were standing in a circle on the ground.
“You made it!” Tyrone said, giving his brother a high five.
“I guess so,” Paul said. “I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for you guys,” he added.
“But you did,” Tim said. “And now I think we should get back to the beach. We all earned some relaxation time!”