The campsite sat nearly at the base of a tall mountain, about an hour’s walk to the west. It was covered in trees, thick and green, and the sun sent the shadows of an occasional cloud against it, like a canvas. Nearer by ran the stream, peaceful and serene. The charred remains of the bonfire sent a little trail of smoke into the air, its skeleton logs gray scaled and coated with ash. Missy stood between the trailer and the bonfire, fully clothed, waiting for him.
“Hi there. Look who’s up all bright eyed and bushy tailed.” When he didn’t answer she clucked her tongue. “Not in the mood to talk?”
Topher coughed and tasted tobacco. Had he really smoked the night before? He coughed again, and his cracked ribs screamed. He bent over and tried to clear his lungs carefully, but the more he tried
