Chapter 3

The air in the grove of trees was hazy and thick, and the loud crunch of leaves as Jared walked resounded in the air, vibrating in his ears. The stars were like diamonds stitched into the thick black fabric of the night sky. His bicycle trailed behind him, the cogs creaking loudly as he pulled it along. 

Jared felt the air thicken as he meandered his way through the grove of oak trees that towered like spires into the night sky. A few feet into the woods, the light from the moon had been completely blotted out by the large canopy of trees. The path wound before him, trodden leaves covering the way. Jared took a deep breath and forged forward, pulling the bicycle along with him. 

The incandescent light spilled from the bicycle headlights, casting spidery shadows on the barks of trees in the grove. He forged forward, pulling himself through the nest of leaves on his feet. The air had become so thick that Jared could barely breathe.

The fog had started to ro