Mom furrowed her brows.

"I don't like the idea of leaving you both here alone while your father and I go shopping," she said. "You're sure you'll be all right?"

We had just arrived at the cabin to start our vacation after an endless car ride, and the last thing I wanted to do was get back in the car to get groceries.

"Stop worrying, Mom—it's totally fine," I assured her. "I want to stay here and explore around the cabin a little, and maybe find some cool rocks."

"Just make sure you don't go too far, and keep an eye on your little brother," Dad told me.

I glanced at Jack(my brother), who was sitting at the worn-out kitchen table, his eyes are glued to one of his favorite comic books. Watching him push his glasses further up the bridge of his nose and get more and more absorbed in his reading, I realized he might as well have been at home.

"It shouldn't be too hard to avoid trouble, since Jack's about as exciting as a wet noodle," I said, smirking.

"Hey, I'm right here, you know. I can hear you," Jack said without looking up. "Why don't you explore by yourself while I stay here and copy this picture of Superman into my sketchbook?"

"Come on, you two, get along," Mom scolded, "and Jack, I really think you should get some fresh air while we're here. We shouldn't be out too long."

I watched my parents back out of the gravel driveway and turn onto Potaces Road. When my little brother still didn't look up, I frowned. "Jack, you've been staring at that comic book ever since the last rest stop. Aren't you finished reading it yet?"

He shrugged and explained, "I like to study the pictures. Besides, I'm as exciting as a wet noodle, so what do you care anyway?"

"Come on, don't be like that," I said, peering out the window. "There's a river on the other side of the road where I want to look for some new rocks to add to my collection, and I always find better stuff when you come along."

He looked at me for the 1st time since we'd arrived and groaned, "Fine, OK. But Mom and Dad said to stay close to the cabin, so let's not wander off too far."

And we would stay close to the cabin, I thought. 

Although who knows what "close" means anyway?

We crossed Potaces Road, my feet crunching over dried maple leaves and twigs as we trekked toward the sound of gurgling water. Through the trees to my right, I spied an odd, rambling building.

"Hey, look at that," I pointed.

Jack stopped, pushed up his glasses. "I thought we were going to explore rocks by the river and get fresh air and everything. There's like a gazillion buildings at home. Who cares about this one?"