The night air was cool, and she was wearing a loose fitting house dress that was comfortable for the long drive down, so she hurried into the bedroom to get a warm coat from the closet. As she walked quickly out the front door she tried to remember what the camp manager had said about finding the Boyds' campsite, and she wanted to kick herself for not having listened more closely. The cool air and the darkness helped calm her, and she abruptly realized she might be doing something foolish. If she ran off half crazy with worry, she could easily become lost. Besides, most likely Rick was just too involved socializing with Valerie and Karen to notice the time.

Linda stopped, thinking she would return to the cabin and wait for her son, when she saw a small wooden sign a few yards in front of her. She moved closer, unable to read it in the twilight from that distance, and she saw it was arrow-shaped with the word "campsites" etched on it. Looking out in the direction it pointed, she saw faintly glowing fires in the distance, and she listened, hearing the sound of rushing water nearby. She remembered then what the man had said about crossing a bridge and going left past the campsites to a rise.

She really didn't want to see Valerie Boyd that evening, but then there was nothing but anguished waiting for her back at the cabin. And Rick might be heading in her direction right at that moment. There was no harm in walking toward the Boyds' camp; and if Rick was headed back, she could walk with him. Their paths had to meet, as there was the bridge over the river, so she headed toward the fires in the distance. And if she didn't meet her son, she still could turn back, if necessary, before reaching the Boyds' campsite. The walk would do her good, and it was better than waiting in the cabin where it had been getting a little too hot.