Nobody expects a runaway to hide on the Appalachian Trail. Don Gallagher, 16, hitchhikes toward the trailhead in Georgia. Motorists ignore him on the roadside. Hours pass. A sedan slows down. The driver wears a suit. Possibly a businessman. Not someone to worry about. Still, a hitchhiker can never be sure. Running away from home involves risk. And staying away requires a plan. Don's strategy hinges on the Appalachian Trail. There, he'll blend in with hikers. Just another loner trekking northbound. They'll never detect a runaway in their midst. First he must reach the trail. That means entering a stranger's car. The sedan glides to a halt.