Chapter 33
Charlie lay down on a soft bed of everlastings in order to better examine the bizarre fungus. With seven scarlet arms, it certainly earned its name of the common starfish fungus. She wrinkled her nose and held her breath. It may have been beautiful, but Aseroe rubra was a member of the stinkhorn family and smelled of rotten flesh. Flies crawled around its glistening red heart, unwittingly collecting spores. Charlie took a few photos and made some notes.
In the week since Sam’s stunning confession, Charlie had taken to going bush every day. Out here it didn’t matter a jot what the townsfolk believed. It didn’t matter a jot what any human being on the face of the earth believed. This grand wilderness was indifferent to the petty concerns of man. She stood up and stroked Whirlwin
