They Went Where?

"Maybe we're at the wrong spot," two of the girls said at once. "No, I am SURE this is where we banked the canoes before we headed into the woods," replied Shauna. "Well, do you think they slipped back into the water and floated away?" This from Doris. Kim, meanwhile was trying to use the dimming headlamp to see across the lake. "I think I see something moving out there," she said. "Where?" came the chorus. Judy dug around in her bag and came up with a chortle of glee, "LOOK what I found!!! A FLASHLIGHT!!!" Shauna took the light and shined it to where Kim was pointing. Nothing. At. All. Just water. "Well, it isn't like those canoes could have grown legs and walked away, now is it? asked Doris. "No," responded Kim, "But somebody WITH LEGS could have carried them. We were gone long enough for someone to dash back down here to the canoes and for all we know they could be 12 feet away hunkered down in the brush with OUR CANOES, watching us, right now!!" This statement brought lots of movement from the group as they jockeyed for flashlights and the ability to see 6 directions with only 4 sets of eyes. "There should be a trail somewhere," said Doris, "You couldn't carry a canoe away without mashing down the grass. Shine that light over here and let's see if we can find something." "You're kidding, right?" asked Judy, "Don't you just want to make a dash around the lake to the truck and back to our cabin? I mean we can see a lot better in the daylight and what are the chances whoever took our canoes left them where we could find them?" "This way," said Shauna, "I can see where the grass has been pushed down." Doris fell in step with Shauna leaving Kim and Judy little choice but to follow. "You wouldn't happen to have another light in there, would you?" asked Kim, gesturing at Judy's bag. "I don't think so, but I'll look. You want a candy bar? I have Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate and some Taffy." "Just a light will do nicely, thank you," replied Kim. As Judy rummaged in her bag, with Kim standing patiently by, Doris and Shauna moved ever farther away until all at once both Kim and Judy realized the other two had gone over a small rise leaving them alone. "HEY GUYS, WAIT UP," Kim shouted as Judy and she rushed to catch up. But when they topped the rise, there wasn't anyone there. No Doris. No Shauna. No lights. Nothing. Just darkness.