“I couldn’t make out the other person clearly in the heavy storm.”

“But you’re absolutely certain it was Brandon?” I pressed.

“Yes, I saw his face clearly when my headlights swept across the trail,” Austin said.

“Was he hurt?” I asked.

“No, he looked completely unharmed,” Austin recalled.

“Then what on earth happened next?” I cried.

“I pulled my cruiser over and started walking toward him, but he waved me off and shouted at me to stay back,” Austin explained.

“Why would he tell you to stay back?” I asked, bewildered.