CHAPTER 76 - Caught in the Act (Part 1)

　　Aria

　　We left the pack and Gloria chatted happily throughout the drive. We headed to Redwood National Park in northern California.  It was an old-growth temperate rainforest with some of the most jaw-dropping trees anyone could ever see. The tallest trees in the world dominated the park, and because of its rainforest form, it was always foggy, damp, and rainy more days than not.

　　We were fully equipped for our mission so we got to work as soon as we arrived. I knew where to find those herbs so my parents followed me, carrying the bags we would use to hold them.

　　At first, I was picking the herbs alone but soon my mother followed my example and after that, my dad was the one carrying the bags for us. They were both impressed with my ability to find what I needed easily. My father’s eyes penetrated mine, trying to read my thoughts as I explained what each plant did. He had always had the gift to read my mind and understand me better than Mum did. Today was one of those times and a w