As you trek deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature begin to fade. The unseen chirping birds grow quiet and the rustling of wind through the trees comes to an end. Soon all you can hear are your footsteps on the earthy path.
"This is freaky," Lee whispers.
"This happened last time," you respond just as softly. "At least we know we're going the right way."
"But why is it so quiet? It's like the forest is afraid."
"Why are you two whispering?" Clay asks, causing the two of you to jump. He laughs at your reactions. "It's not like something's going to run out of the bushes and attack us."
His expression sobers the moment the words leave his mouth. All three of you stop walking and look around, turning your backs on one another in a defensive formation. You hear nothing but your breaths and the tense beating of your own heart.
After a minute of nothing, you whisper "Okay, let's not mention stuff like that. This is scary enough as it is." Clay nods and you continue on.
"Here," you say as the path fades into dense forest.
"A dead end?" Clay asks. "But there weren't any other trails off of this one! Who'd make a trail that went nowhere?"
"It gets us close enough," you say, explaining how you ended up going beyond this point without noticing and had to double-back. "If I'm right, it should be just through these trees." You point in one direction, but as soon as you do, your mind seems to stop. You have the sudden uncontrollable urge to shift your arm thirty degrees.
"Uh...are you sure?" Lee asks, having clearly noticed the adjustment.
"I've got this feeling. I'm sure it's that way."
Lee walks right up behind you, putting her hands on your shoulders. "Do you think it wants you to find it again?"
You shake your head. "I don't know. Maybe." The sudden lapse in thought and involuntary reaction disturb you. You remember the nightmare you had last night, and as you make your way through the forest, you describe it for Lee and Clay. Lee seems visibly upset by the end.
"Don't worry, man," Clay says confidently. "If the lake tries to hypnotize you into drowning, we'll be there to hold you back."
Your foot catches on a fallen branch, and you start swinging your arms wildly. Being unaccustomed to your girlish frame, you have trouble regaining your balance. Lee grabs one of your arms, but it's too late. The two of you topple onto the leaf-strewn forest bed.
You feel hurt, though not on the outside. Suddenly all of your pent-up frustration and desperation burst out. "This stupid body!" you cry. "Maybe drowning wouldn't be so bad if it meant I didn't have to--"
Lee grabs your face and turns it toward her. She's lying half next to you, half on top of you. Your tears begin washing over her fingers. She doesn't say a thing. You look into her shining green eyes and somehow know everything she wants to tell you. Don't give up. Don't give in. Even living a different life is better than living none at all. You think about those she's loved and lost. You remember your own failed relationships. You remember Clay's talk from this morning.
"I won't, I promise," you say to her in a faint, trembling voice.
Lee smiles. Somehow that's enough to lift your spirits to tremendous heights. You smile back.
"I make a pretty lame girl, don't I?" you ask.
"It doesn't matter," Lee whispers to match the softness of your own words. You continue to look into each others' eyes, but Lee finally breaks the connection. You help each other up, holding hands and not wanting to let go.
Lee looks down. "They're just like mine," she says. "Though the nails are kind of long. Who's your manicurist?"
You laugh. You can't believe you're actually laughing when a minute ago you were contemplating suicide. What's this power Lee has? And what makes her generous enough to share it with you?
Lee picks leaves and twigs out of your hair. Then she glances around. Her face falls. You don't understand at first, but upon looking, you quickly figure it out.
"Clay? CLAY!" you shout.
Something moves from behind a tree. You jump back instinctively.
Clay clears his throat. "Thought I'd, y'know, pick some mushrooms over here by this tree..."
"I have granola bars in my bag," Lee smiles. She looks back at you knowingly. "But thanks for thinking about it."
"Yeah," you say, smiling back at her.
"Well come on, the lake can't be far now, can it?" Lee asks, grabbing your hand again and leading you through the forest.
You finally come to the clearing and see the lake. It shines serenely under the noon sun.
"Wow, that is beautiful," Lee says amazed. "I've never seen water like that."
You walk towards the edge with trepidation. Lee stays close behind, presumably ready to hold you back if you have any sudden ideas about taking another swim.
"There's nothing else here," Clay says. "Just the lake. What's going to help us?"