I better not miss my jump. Otherwise, I’ll be covered with muck. That would suck big time.

The last stones were really far apart. I was desperate, so I jumped and nearly slipped on the last stepping stone. There I was, celebrating my leap, when I realized… looking around at only trees as my witness, I was all alone now. I was so used to being watched, that being on my own scared me. I could be lost, and not know it.

Not long after, I saw a deflated brown ball. Nature kept kicking my butt, so I needed to kick something too.

Here goes my best shot. Ready, aim, fire! My foot struck it as hard as I could.

Ahhh! My eyes! My nose!

The brown ball was not some random toy. It was a giant puffball, a mushroom that exploded upon contact.

The plume of spores attacked relentlessly because I walked over the explosion. After bouts of violent sneezing, I mouth-breathed, wiping my snot and burning tears.

Seriously? What the heck, nature! You win, ok? So stop being so mean! Take pity on me already! I covered my sniveling face. So embarrassing!

But that’s not the end of it. Pain struck my back intensely as I leaned on the nearest tree to regain my bearings and clear my vision. I focused on inhaling air through my gritted teeth. I felt like something was being pulled out of me. My very soul, maybe. If I were to try and compare it, it was like when Mom tried to pull out a wobbly tooth too early. The pain stopped and my soul was still intact.

Reaching to touch below my shoulder blades, I brushed against the bark of the tree. Something was wrong. I looked back. The bark where I rested exhibited deep cracks and sharp ridges that were tinted purple at the edges. Curious business.

My path would hit a stream, I remembered from Spiderzilla’s map. I hurried there as fast as the muddy terrain and sinking feet would allow.

The sound of relaxed water flowing through the stream soothed me. Once I reached the clean, clear water, I loosened a bit. I knelt near the edge, rolled up my sleeves and washed the powdery spores from my face and arms. I scooped with both hands and drank heavily. Water and brief tranquility.

I rolled my jeans up to my knees and put my shoes and socks into my bag. I entered the water and cleaned my scraped knee. Using my walking stick to find shallower parts, I successfully crossed the stream. According to Spiderzilla’s map, I would hit Ely Lake campgrounds halfway to Steel, where I could stay safe for the night. I avoided the road and set off for another long walk.