Chapter 31

“It says this is the way.”

“But it’s not the only way,” a second woman chimed in, features gleaming. “I know a shortcut.”

The two believed her immediately as she led them to the forest, where they passed under Luke’s tree and used the narrow path where the grass didn’t grow anymore. Still outside their territory, he let it be and watched as they circled to the back and found the side of the steep climb, where they would be able to walk easier until they passed that area.

“One down,” he said to himself.

Two more groups of campers showed up, one headed in the opposite direction and another risking the steep climb as they deemed the forest too dangerous. Curiosity blazed at how each group came about their decision, but it was the fourth group close to sunset that snagged his attention the most. The four women, all wearing neon bright gym clothes and bejeweled sneakers, stopped the longest as they discussed among themselves.

“It’s getting late. Are you sure we should be doing this?”

“We s