The tires knocked against the rocks as they lurched forward, forcing the woods into view. Tiny pebbles got lodged in the worn trees of the tires and were spit violently with each turn of the chewed rubber. After twenty feet the sign that marked the woods entrance was in full sight, It's worn lettering inviting and promising of walking in anothers footsteps, perhaps even finishing their journeys for them. They exited the car. Their scratchy cloth pants and shirts the only reminder of their human selves. Rhythmically setting down worn sneakers one infront of the other they set off into the dense world of moss and leaves. Darkness was just over the mountain, awaiting It's final go ahead signal to shroud all in It's embrace. None looked back, there was No reason too. Everything was prodding them onward. Their eyes, their feet, the trail, the darkness. All of it a giant force bent on the journey ahead. The air grew dank and misty as though it were morning, but it lacked a sense of promised warmth. That's when they knew it was truly dark. In that Moment their hearts fluttered, for a time matching the rhythm of the forests own labored breathing. In unison they stopped. With tilted heads skyward they opened their eyes as the mist settled in, giving them new vision. They stood that way a while, a dead homage to nature's overwhelming might. No sense of time was present, it did not matter. They stopped when nature gave It's promise of warmth and life. They were replenished, they were ready.
