After lights-out that night, we all got in our sleeping bags with our clothes on. Smurf and I were the only ones who were actually going anywhere, but the other guys wanted to be ready for anything.
It was easier sneaking out this time, with just two of us. But we ran it the same way.
First, we waited for Rusty’s eleven-thirty bunk check. Then I counted to fifty—twice—to make sure he was good and gone.
After that, we got out of there as fast as a couple of campers who had just seen a rattlesnake. I even had my stupid lost-and-found sneakers on when I got up, so we could leave right away.
Dweebs let us take his camera, which was nice of him, since there was a chance it wouldn’t be coming back in one piece. We also brought flashlights, just in case, but we weren’t planning on using them. And I’d borrowed one of Katie’s lifeguard whistles from the waterfront.
It wasn’t exactly perfect, but it would have to do.
As soon as Smurf and I were outside, we cut straight through the woods and down into the lower part of the main field. Then we stayed low and watched Bobcat Alley for any signs of life, all just like the last time.
It didn’t take long. Pretty soon, the door squeaked open and a bunch of them came outside. One guy stayed behind on the porch as a lookout while the rest of them headed off into the woods. Doolin was too smart to leave the cabin totally unguarded.
But he wasn’t smart enough to know he was being followed.
Smurf and I kept our distance. We cut around the edge of the field and then tailed the Bobcats down the trail toward the waterfront. About halfway there, they got off the path and headed back into the woods, going for their usual smoking spot.
I could hear them crunching over the leaves and stuff, and I knew from experience that it was too risky to follow them any farther.
But that’s what the zoom on Dweebs’s camera was for.
Pretty soon, Doolin and the other guys were lighting up and puffing away like the bunch of moronic losers that they were. I didn’t see any reason to wait. I looked over at Smurf. He flashed me a thumbs-up. “Dead meat. You and me, Rafe. Let’s go for it!”
Then I stuck that whistle in my mouth, pointed the camera in the Bobcats’ direction, and started snapping away like I was with the paparazzi.
“Hey!” one of the Bobcats yelled. “Who’s out there?”
“What the—?” another said. I think it was Doolin, but I wasn’t really listening. I’d already handed the camera to Smurf, and the two of us took off in opposite directions while I started blowing that whistle for everything it was worth.
Now I just had to get out of this alive.