#Chapter 91: Into the Woods

Ardal We curve down a winding path thick through the woods, hugging the trees alongside us, the top of the car occasionally scraping underneath branches as we venture further into the dark depths. It seems as though we’re following a secret route carved by someone who knew the way intimately through the deep thicket of pines. The only thing that penetrates the silence is Keith Urban’s “Kiss a Girl” playing on the country radio station. Its infectious melody and upbeat lyrics feed the lovesick girl inside of me. I think wistfully of Kadeem and can’t help but smile to myself, until suddenly, it goes dead, cutting out with a strange humming frequency. Kadeem quickly shuts off the radio to quiet it, then fiddles with his phone. "I don't have any signal," he says to Jack. "I don't like this," he adds with a growl. "We're in the middle of a forest and we're nearing the bottom of a mountain range," Jack says sternly. "What do you expect?" Kadeem grumbles under his breat