Despite being out of the direct rays of the unrelenting July sun, the ninety degree temperature and the high humidity were making her retreat from the world just about unbearable. What she wouldn’t give for her central air or even a fan right now. There would be neither. She was alone in this wilderness with a canvas army tent on a cement foundation, a wooden canopy under which she’d set up some of her gear, and a burbling stream running nearby. There wasn’t a soul for miles. Mara was completely alone with no electricity, no modern plumbing and no car to allow her to dash into town. Her cousin, who’d unenthusiastically assisted with Mara’s plan, had protested that it wasn’t safe for Mara to spend a week out here all alone. But Mara had insisted and her cousin had reluctantly relented and dropped her off three days ago with the promise to pick her up in a week. Now, Mara had to admit, she hadn’t considered this idea well enough. She hadn’t anticipated how the solitude would disquiet her.
