Waypoint: Cache Quest Oregon by Shauna Rice-Schober[thriller] Page A

Lacey said as she sipped more water.
    “No, that is bacteria from drinking from the lake.”
    “You are a know it all.” Lacey said with frustration.
    Ben laughed then said, “Well I’m glad you can finally admit that I do know it all.”
    “Whatever.” She turned the radio back up and tried to look as calm as possible. “Hey did you find exactly where we are going?”
    “Yep, Crater Lake.”
    “I know Crater Lake, but where?” She groaned.
    “Well it looks like it is in the water, I think that for two reasons, one- the clue said something about being ‘deep’ and two- I found a cool new screen on this GPS unit that gives aerial photos, and the red dot is in the water.” he showed her the screen on the GPS unit.
    Lacey looked at the screen then once again swerved off the road, turned the car off and ran into the bushes. Ben continued to play with the GPS unit until she returned a few minutes later.
    “I think I need some tummy medicine.” She moaned as she sat back in her seat. “Can you look on the map and see where the nearest town is?” Ben unfolded the map and traced the route they had taken from the Sky Lakes Wilderness area.
    “Okay, looks like a town called Chemult is ahead, I don’t know how far though.” he looked at her with concern this time. “You gonna be okay? Maybe we should go to the hospital.”
    “I’ll be fine; I just need to get some Pepto Bismol, that’s all.” They continued to drive until they saw a gas station and Quickie market ahead. Lacey jumped out, tossed the keys to Ben and ran into the bathroom. Ben got out, stretched his legs then went inside to find his aunt some medicine. He browsed the medicine section for a few minutes, every time the dinger on the door buzzed he looked up expecting to see his aunt, she was taking longer than he thought.
    Finally twenty minutes later she walked through the door, a few people noticed how horrible she looked, not just because she hadn’t showered in a few days, and had practically bathed in the lake earlier, but because she was green, not just pale, but green. Ben looked up at her; she was looking around for him, but couldn’t see him from the spot she was standing in. Just then a guy in his twenties walked up to Lacey,
    “Are you okay?” He asked with genuine concern. Ben looked at the guy, worried he was bothering his aunt he yelled across the store,
    “Aunt Lacey! What type of diarrhea medicine do you want?” Everyone in the store looked at Lacey, suddenly her green complexion changed to bright red.
    “Ben! Shut up!” She said forcefully, and then smiled at the guy standing in front of her, who was trying to contain his laughter. Ben walked over with two items; he held a green and white box in front of his aunt’s face, looked at the guy then said,
    “Ya know we should get you this gas medicine too.” He smirked, and then felt his aunt’s fist sock him in the side. She smiled at the guy, and nodded to suggest she was okay. The guy walked away giggling just as the other customers were now. “That’s what you get for not listening to me.” Ben said as they walked to the counter to pay, “just ‘cause I’m a kid doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m talking about.” He placed the items on the counter; the clerk barely made eye contact with Lacey and smiled sheepishly at Ben. As they walked through the door to leave, laughter could be heard from inside.
    Ben unlocked the car, then tossed the keys to Lacey, “Pretty proud of yourself, huh?” She asked, clearly in a bad mood.
    “Well, I bet you’ll never drink from a lake again.” he smiled as he sat in the car.
    “Okay, Ben you were right. Is that what you want to hear, will that make you stop teasing me?”
    “I know I’m right, and no, that won’t make me stop. This is just too easy.” He laughed as he handed the Pepto to his aunt; she took a large mouthful and placed it in the cup holder as they pulled out of the parking lot.

     
    After two long