25 Devil’s Backbone State ForestIt had rained off and on since Susan left the shed. Three times she had followed overgrown paths battling the branches and shrubs that poked and grabbed at her. And three times those overgrown paths led right back to the shed.
Without the sun, she had no idea what direction she was going. The pine trees rose high above and were cluttered so close together she could barely see the sky—or rather the clouds. The pain in her knee was overwhelming. Even the sturdy branch she found to use as a makeshift crutch didn’t alleviate the pain. She had bitten her lower lip until it bled. Her arms and face were scratched from twigs. She’d given up swatting at the mosquitoes. Her shoes were mud-caked and heavy. Her clothes, soaking wet, stuck to her skin. At times she hear
