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! 

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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.