The paths between trees were so narrow that by squeezing between them, we would scratch ourselves. But that was less scary than being stuck in the pit and drowning in it.
We weren't monkeys, of course, so we could never get far ahead. I could only transfer myself from one branch to another after much encouragement from Lucas to not fear while crossing the Fiery Rivers.
The first time I saw them going around the trenches, my legs turned to jelly as I couldn't make myself walk. Lucas caught me before I could hit the ground as I stumbled backwards.
"What is it?" he asked but then went silent after he saw what threat lay over the edge.
Who would have known in the midst of these sturdy trees lay valleys of lava flowing through it, never stopping for even a minute? Just the sight and heat of it was enough for us to know that this was more than challenging compared to the previous one.
