Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story

tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire

back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link

below to learn more. And thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your

support.

The trail branches off a road which is tucked away in the forest.

There are few who ever come this way, and few are still who leave the road itself

and head down the narrow dirt path on foot. But for the lucky ones who find this hidden spot,

wonderful things await them at the end of the trail.

Today is the day you'll venture out.

Already, your mind is filled with anticipation about the relaxing time you'll have at the spa.

So, you take a deep breath and then step onto the trail.

All around you, tall trees loom overhead. Their branches are thick and tangled,

making it hard to see the sky. Occasionally, you cut chit-glints of a distant patch of blue

through the canopy. You imagine it's a lovely sunny day outside the protective embrace of the forest.

Here, it's shady and cool with a light breeze. The forest feels like it's own protected ecosystem.

The thick greenery above keeps the temperature of few degrees cooler than it would be elsewhere,

and a certain dampness seems to linger as though rain is never too far off.

The ground is covered in pine needles and other plant debris.

The white, grey and brown rocks dot the landscape.

The occasional boulder appears between the trees. In fact, you're approaching one now

on the right side of the trail.

...