CHAPTER 3

WRONG TURN

The next day, the two families woke up early. Everyone except Marlon seemed eager for the group hike on the Appalachian Trail. Everyone loaded up their packs and set off through the oak-hickory forest. The adults walked together in the front, while Marlon and Nadia brought up the rear.

The group hiked past clusters of colorful mushrooms and patches of moss that grew on the trees. Massive rocks lay on the trail. Ferns and freshwater plants lined the route. The leaves from the red oaks in the forest glistened in the sun.

Everyone seemed impressed by the beauty of the trail. Marlon, however, was not pleased. Thirty minutes into the three-hour hike, he just wanted to go home.

“Does anyone want to guess how many states the Appalachian Trail runs through?” Mr. Sharma called back from the front of the group.

The parents turned and looked at Marlon and Nadia. Marlon shrugged his shoulders.

“Technically, the Appalachian Trail cuts through as many as fourteen states from start to finish,” Nadia piped up.

“Figures you would know,” Marlon muttered.

“When I was younger, my dad would take me and the entire family hiking,” Marlon’s dad said loudly. “We loved it so much. It was a tradition that I wanted to continue with our family. I can’t believe I waited so long to do it.”

“That’s very sweet,” said Mrs. Sharma.

The families continued along the trail. As the adults chatted, they slowly pulled ahead of the kids.

Nadia studied the ground. “Watch your step, Marlon,” she said. “There are a lot of roots on this part of the path.”

Marlon didn’t reply. At first Nadia thought he was just being rude. But when she looked up, she found him sitting on a log at the side of the trail, picking fungus off it.

“C’mon, Marlon, we should catch up with our parents,” Nadia said, walking over. The adults had disappeared around a bend in the trail. “Marlon?”

“Ugh, I don’t want to be here at all. I hate hiking,” Marlon grumbled.

“How can you hate something you’ve never tried? Give it a chance. Hiking can be a lot of fun,” said Nadia.

“Easy for you to say. You like this stuff. I got dragged here—and I’m missing out on hanging with my friends because of it. Just leave me alone,” Marlon snarled.

Nadia glared at him. “Fine. Stay here then.” She turned and walked away.

“I will!” Marlon replied. He huffed, glad to be left alone. But a moment later, there was a rustling noise in the brush.

What was that? Marlon thought. Who’s there?

Suddenly a squirrel leapt from the brush and bounced off of Marlon’s head. Marlon panicked. He jumped up from the log and raced after Nadia. The squirrel chased after Marlon.

“Wait for me!” Marlon called. He ran toward—and quickly past—Nadia. There was a fork in the trail up ahead, and he veered left.

“Hey, slow down!” Nadia hollered. She watched in shock as the squirrel continued its pursuit of Marlon. “You’re going down the wrong trail! Our parents went this way!”

Marlon didn’t listen. With a sigh, Nadia took off after him. She was so focused on catching up to him that she wasn’t watching where she was going.

Before she knew it, Nadia tripped on a root. She slid off the narrow trail and tumbled down a large, sloped hill. She tumbled down the steep incline covered in ferns and grass. As she fell, Nadia caught sight of Marlon, lying very still at the bottom of the hill.