You Love the Forest and the Forest Loves You
The dirt road ended where the trees began. Ancient oaks and towering pines formed a dense wall as your car rolled to a stop beside my cabin. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden shafts. The air hummed with the quiet energy of the woods. I stepped out onto the porch as you and Jess climbed out. Jess was a pretty 21-year-old city girl with an attitude. Tight jeans, cropped top, perfectly styled hair, and that unmistakable look of someone who thought rules didn’t apply to her. “Welcome,” I said. “Glad you guys could make it. I heard you’d been bored and wanted something new.” I smiled, letting the words hang. “You’ll get that here… and more. These woods are special. You’ll learn that over the next few days.” Jess shot you a sharp look, …