The Butterfly Conspiracy by James Nelson

pile of sticks and tree limbs and disappeared.
    “That’s quite a complicated structure.” He stated.
    As they continued, the trail started climbing higher.   At the top of a hill they intersected with a larger, more traveled path and Jeanette pointed to a sign.
    “See Stephen, the path we were on isn’t named because it’s mostly on your uncle’s private land.   It intersects with this path, which is part of the Pictured Rocks Trail system.   You should take some time and hike this section.   It starts at Grand View and goes 42 miles along the lake to Munising.”
    “Forty two miles?   I better start getting in shape.   How long would it take to hike it?”
    “A couple of days, depends on how much you wanted to walk each day.   There are some interesting spots along the trail.   One place is called “Hell’s Kitchen Cave ”.   It’s a cave where Indian legend has it that evil spirits roasted people.”
    “Now that’s something I’d want to see!”   Stephen said enthusiastically.
    “I bet you do.” Jeanette replied.   “You can even see places where the cave is blackened with soot from fires!. Kind of grisly if it’s true.   Personally, I think it’s just a legend but if you stay on the trail you get to a   beautiful rock formation called ‘Miner’s Castle’”.
    “Would you hike it with me?” Stephen asked.
    “I’d love to.   We can do it in three or four stages.”
    The trail continued to climb.   Finally, the trail broke out onto an overlook high above Lake Superior .   Looking to the right, Stephen could see an island positioned just off the coast.  
    “I guess that’s where Grand View gets its name,” Stephen said.  
    “That’s right, that’s Grand Island.”
    To the left was a view of a pristine shoreline with an unbroken forest as far as the eye could see.  
    “This is spectacular!” Stephen exclaimed.   “All this natural beauty and not a person in sight.”
    “Not exactly like New York City , is it?” Jeanette asked. “Hey, it’s going to get dark soon, we better head back.”
    Jeanette led the way back down the trail.   Stephen continued to admire the view, and it wasn’t all trees that he was admiring.   Halfway back, Jeanette said, “See that tree with the scratches on it?”
    “Yes, what is it?”
    “Bears.   Bears mark trees like that for some reason.   Maybe it’s to mark their territory or just to sharpen their claws.   You can see bear markings all through these woods.”  
    They continued another ten minutes down the trail. After the bear comment, Stephen was looking behind every few minutes.   After twenty minutes, Stephen stopped and said, “Let’s take a break.”  
    Jeanette pointed, “We can sit here.”
    They sat on a fallen log.
      “Your uncle tells me you rode the train all the way from New York City .   How long did that take?”
    “Over 24 hours.”
    “Did you enjoy it?”
    “Well, yes and no.   I enjoyed seeing a lot of country, but, don’t think I’m crazy, but I think someone may have been following me during my trip up here.”  
    “What, someone followed you?”
    “I know, it sounds nuts.   I mentioned it to Uncle Phil, but I don’t think he believed me.”
    “What makes you think someone followed you?”
    Stephen related all his suspicions, from his traveling companion’s fears, his Art Institute encounter, and the sighting in Escanaba.
    “It does sound pretty coincidental, I must admit. Is there a reason someone would be following you?   Are you running away from something that nobody knows about?”
    “No, nothing like that.   That’s the problem.   I can’t think of any reason someone would be following me.”
    “Just like a mystery novel, eh?   Or maybe you’re a secret agent?”   She smiled at him.   Stephen colored slightly.
    “Should I start calling you Bond?   Secret agent Stephen Bond?”
    He smiled back, embarrassed.
    “Say, maybe we’d better get going before it gets too