Lake Vesper

…Chris tried to lighten the mood by telling dumb jokes about some local legend he'd read online. Stuff about hermits who lived off the land. Devin rolled his eyes, but I found myself looking over my shoulder more often. When we finally reached Lake Vesper, the sight was mesmerizing. Crystal clear water lapped at a pebble-strewn shore, tall rocks framing it l…

…We'd heard that Lake Vesper, our target for the night, wasn't too far away, and he wanted a longer rest at camp. The last stretch toward the lake turned into a slog. My shoulders ached, sweat stuck to every inch of my skin, and the trail took on this claustrophobic feeling. The trees pressed in, and the air seemed heavier.…