Chapter One
Thunder crashed and rolled across the shoulders of the mountains, bouncing along until it disappeared in its own echo. Beneath the darkening sky, Douglas sprinted through the meadow. Far behind, Scotty struggled to catch up to his twin brother.
Douglas looked back and jerked to a stop. He waved his arms and yelled, “Come on Scotty! We’ll never beat the storm if you don’t hurry up.”
Scotty puffed up and stopped beside his brother. He hunched over, spread his feet and put his hands on his knees while gasping for air. Between pants he said, “Well… maybe if… we were… identical twins… then… I could keep up. I’ve never… been much of a runner.”
“I know. But we’re about to get soaked. We’re still a long ways from home.”
Black clouds boiled over the mountains, covering the north end of the valley with a dark, threatening blanket. The boys could see the front edge of the storm sweeping toward them followed by torrential rain.
When they left home that morning planning to spend most of the day exploring a mountain meadow in the Gallatin National Forest it was clear and sunny. Without warning, the storm blew over the mountains and pelted down the valley. They’d lived in Montana for only a few weeks, but already they knew that sudden thunderstorms could be violent and dangerous.
Douglas pulled on Scotty’s arm and pointed. “Come on. We’ll run to that big pine tree on the side of the hill. It’s all downhill from there.”
Scotty glanced toward the storm. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He took off running, but after only a few strides, Douglas passed him.
“Meet you there,” he yelled, as he dashed by his slower brother.
Scotty ran as hard as he could following Douglas to the tree where both boys stopped and leaned against it to catch their breath. A jagged arc of lightning flashed across the sky followed almost instantly by a blast of thunder.
Scotty yelled over the gusting wind. “It’s almost here! What are we gonna do?”
“Run! What else can we do?” Douglas yelled, as another fork of lightning flashed, hitting the ground only a hundred yards from them. The ground shook when the thunder boomed.
I can help.
Startled, Scotty and Douglas stood up straight and put their hands on their hips. “What did you say?” They asked at the same time.
Staring at each other in surprise they said, “I didn’t say anything.”
Douglas looked around. “Okay, if we didn’t, who did? It sounded like a real old man talking...”
“…like he was right beside us,” Scotty finished.
They scanned the area looking for the old man, but no one was in sight. Confused, Douglas leaned against the tree again.
I can help.
He jerked hand away as if he’d touched a hot stove. Pointing at the tree, he said, “I heard the voice again when I touched the tree. Put your hand on it.”
Warily, Scotty put his palm on the tree.
I can help.
Scotty jumped away from the tree, almost tripping over his feet. “I heard it, too. Where’s it coming from?”
Douglas pointed at the tree. “I think it’s coming from the tree. But…”
“…that’s impossible,” Scotty finished.
The boys stared at each other, eyes wide with surprise. “Okay, let’s put our hands on the tree at the same time and don’t pull ’em off, no matter what.”
“You sure about this?”
“No, but I want to find out.”
They put their palms flat against the rough bark.
I can help.
Scotty jerked and almost pulled his hand off. Douglas leaned forward, pressing harder against the bark. In an unsteady voice, he asked, “Are you talking to us?”
Yes. I can help.
“How? The storm’s almost here!”
Come inside.
Douglas frowned. “Come inside where?” He thought for a moment. “I got it. Inside the tree! Scotty, around to the other side.”
They ran around the huge trunk, one boy in each direction and found a triangular-shaped opening. Douglas dropped to his hands and knees and crawled through it.
From inside the tree, he called, “Come on in, there’s lots of room.”
Scotty peeked into the hollow tree, reluctant to follow his brother. When lightning flashed followed by an explosion of thunder that felt like it was right under his feet, he dived headfirst through the opening.