ARIA
It wasn't like that decaying path we had taken before. Everything looked fine. Some of the trees were leafless, as expected and their branches were coated with frost that sparkled like crystals as the weak light from the sun hit them.
Picturesque, almost. Yet, it wasn't.
As peaceful as this place seemed, there was no sign of life. Not a bird. Not a squirrel. Not even a bug crawling beneath the brush. To be honest, I'd take that damned maggot right now despite how disgusting it seemed.
Now, do you want to know the most infuriating part? Go on, guess.
Mud. Bloody mud. It stretched across a broad section of the forest floor like it was daring us to cross. Deep, thick, and sludgy. The kind that promised you'd sink to your knees just for trying.
I faced Sophia, realizing she was staring at me. She had a 'I told you so look on' with arms crossed.
"I'm not stepping into that," she grunted.
