Though the woods should have been “clean” of the transients, he didn’t want to take a chance – especially at this critical time.
He peeked out from the side of the tree and could see someone walking up the path on the tracks coming towards the opening in the brush where he now hid. Little Joe never went past this spot, so he didn’t exactly know what was beyond in the woods. But he had an idea that the forest preserve grew thicker and thicker as you headed west. He was sure there was nothing past this spot that he wanted to explore – at least doing so safely.
The person slowly came into focus, clearing the brush and stopping in front of the muddy slope near the water about ten feet from him. Little Joe could see it was a boy, perhaps sixteen or seventeen years old. His whimpering co
