Great Bear Wilderness i'm feeling devious

Where was his leader? It's been weeks since he had left Phillip here to do his dirty work. Surely, he would've shown up by now. And if he wasn't nearby now he had to be on his way back. The yearling was both looking forward to it and fearing it. Rockhopper's arrival would mark the end of his time with the Nightwalkers, but he still had nothing to show for it. He needed to do this job quickly.

Phillip strayed away from the forest to find a spot to think. He paced back and forth through the mud, going over a multitude of plans. Oh, what should I do? he muttered under his breath, What should I do?

He must've glanced over the stranger once or twice without truly noticing him. Classic Phillip; too overwhelmed to be aware anything. It took awhile for him to notice the man, and when he did he gasped.