It was raining, and we were lost.
It was my brother’s fault.
We’d been in the supermarket with Dad when the noise had gotten too much for Lukas, and he’d bolted. I ran after him. Dad was in another aisle and didn’t even realize we’d gone.
Lukas ran straight over the road, without any consideration for the traffic. Horns blared and tires screeched as the cars skidded to a halt. I weaved through the vehicles after him.
On the other side of the road was a forest, which Lukas ran straight into. He’s 12, and when he gets going, he’s fast. Really fast. I’m three years older, but he can easily outrun me if he puts his mind to it. I chased him through the overgrown brambles as rain soaked my clothes and streamed down my cheeks. The forest smelled of damp soil and wet leaves.