I felt a moment of confusion as I took in the walls of the tree house before remembering the events of the previous day. Wow, was I stiff. Muscles I didn’t even know I had hurt with an almost impressive intensity I hadn’t known was possible. The room felt stuffy, and I eased myself off the couch and tiptoed past a sleeping Emily. It took everything I had to stifle a laugh when I noticed that Shawn was sleeping on the floor next to the bed, having obviously decided against sharing with Todd. Todd sprawled on his stomach, his hair rumpled. Both boys were snoring softly. Careful not to make a sound, I opened the door I’d seen earlier and slipped out into the night. On the other side of the door was a small wooden deck with a rope bridge leading to the next tree house. I peered tentatively over the edge of the deck railing, but the dark forest floor was too far below to make out and my stomach flopped uncomfortably at the sight. Sliding my back down the wall of the house, I tilted my head up to take in the breathtaking expanse of stars.
