Crossing one of the many burbling streams that snaked down the mountainside to feed the glittering lake below via a well-worn bridge, Josh, Ashley and Spencer continued to pick their way down the slopes. Mother Nature narrated their progress with a chorus of birdsong and the mournful creaking of old trees in the wind. The trails they navigated were well-used and they wondered how many others had passed this way
TRIGGER WARNING: This story includes brief references to suicidal thoughts. Reader discretion is advised. Watching Annabelle innocently admire the forest’s natural beauty from her spot on the ridge below, Lauren felt the deep rage, which usually swirled endlessly in the pit of her stomach, simply fade away. Relieved by the lifted burden, she descended the slope with a contented smile to join the youngest of the Klein family. ‘She’s beautiful,
With the sun throbbing down and Andrew acting as a human drain, it was a wonder there were any cold beers left in the cooler by the time noon broke by the lake. Nevertheless, by some miracle the mismatched group of sunbathers and swimmers still had ample booze to fuel their day and, not long after noon, Glenn took up one of the frigid bottles, popped the cap and took
The warm breeze meandering through the canopy added a chorus of rustling leaves and creaking boughs to the orchestra of the forest. A dirt path wound through the stands, frayed at the edges by swathes of grass, nettles and low ferns. It was seldom used, evidenced by the gnarled roots that riddled the path with wooden veins, yet as the orchestra played on two figures picked their way up the
Felicity had spent most of her morning indulging herself in all the things she never could while Andrew and the kids were around. To her delight, her husband had been gone when she woke up. She’d felt the bed rock when he left and heard him grunting as he stuffed his overweight figure into the day’s clothes, but she’d made sure not to stir save he strike up a conversation.
Pouring the smoothie into her favourite mason jar Paige stirred it with a paper straw. Clutching the chilly glass she took a long, refreshing gulp and gave a contented sigh. The smoothie almost made it feel like she hadn’t had an entire bottle of wine to herself the night before. It was her favourite thing to drink before her morning run: blueberry, raspberry and mango, with a sprig of mint
Pulling up among the crowd of cars the Kleins heaved themselves out onto legs seized up by the long journey. Stretching life back into them, they found they were the last family to arrive. Most of the other holidaying families were bustling about, exchanging hugs, shaking hands and chattering excitedly about the week ahead. Mr. Silva, predictably, was off to one side shouting down the phone. Cade, the moody Rivera
