“I don’t know,” Caleb said, voice low. “But we’re going to find out.” They crossed the final backyard and slipped through a gap in the fence, stepping into the wild. The contrast was immediate.
Gone were the neat lawns and garden beds. Ahead, the forest rose like a wall, tangled, quiet, and indifferent. Pine needles blanketed the ground in faded gold. Branches laced above their heads, muting the sun and the world behind them.