Another key reason that Laura and Howie encounter is more dangerous and malevolent is that Howie and Laura are exploring the wilderness on their own. Howie wanted to stay alone in the woods with Laura. Howie said “I had this idea. About us. I had this idea that just you and me could live together in the woods. Sort of like Indians. They wouldn’t be able to find us, because we wouldn’t ever be there when they looked for us.” Brook Cole’s point is that Howie wanted to hide from the world in the woods so no one could find Laura and him. He showed how he wanted to be alone with her in the woods. But the world is dangerous and full of surprises so if they did stay, something bad could have happened. Of course, it is possible to disagree with the
