The sky started to shine with gold, orange, and red. The forest was quickly darkening. His friends would be back. They always came back. Listlessly, he placed another log into the blazing fire. It roared with life and the sharp snap of the splitting log filled the surrounding wood.

Birds chirped to one another, hidden among leaves, out of sight. The warmth of the blaze kept him from becoming chlled in the light autumn breeze. They would come back. They always came back.

He placed his head against his fist, and looked at the tent facing him. Bobby always slept there. The one next to it was his, and the one next to that was June’s. On the other side of Bobby’s tent was Mia’s, and next to hers was Robert’s.

Laughter filled the air. People moved about. Bobby twirled June around and he watched as blonde strands caressed the two. Robert brought the van around. Then…and then…

It was their annual camping trip. They would come back. They always came back…wouldn’t they?