Chapter 6
The nature preserve is the most obvious spot to find Darien Armand.
Even in the summer, it isn’t too difficult to book a reservation in the campground. The space is vast, with everything from prepared campsites to ones that are no more than a clearing of tall grass in the dense woods. Today, the spots closest to the parking lot are teeming with Girl and Boy Scouts, families, and members of the Springside Senior Adventure Club.
The aroma of wood smoke mixes with scents of breakfast. My stomach grumbles, and I regret skipping the Pancake House. Children screech and laugh. Pots and pans clatter. Someone is singing a song about campground safety.
Something tells me Darien is somewhere far away from all this—very far away. That means a hike. I sit at a picnic table, tighten the la
