Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
T he life-changing nature of her attitude was put to the test that afternoon, as she ventured to both the beach and the rockpool with the commune group she had met earlier that morning. Between the house where she was now living and the beach, there was about a mile of thick rainforest that was crisscrossed with tracks running in every direction. Tim led the way as they followed what appeared to be the main track.
It was dim amongst the foliage, and she steered clear of the large stinging trees that Peace pointed out. ‘If you even touch one a little bit and get stung, the sting is like being burnt by hot acid and electrocuted at the same time.’ Peace stopped and looked up into the canopy. Who knew that a tree could be so dangerous, Evie thought, as she drew her arms in close. ‘Sometimes people end up in hospital, and one bloke shot himself dead after using one of the leaves to wipe his bum.’
The commune kids were full of information about the area and the people who lived there. She listened to everything they said carefully, treading warily as she followed them.
Rain from the night before made the path muddy, and she eventually took off her thongs and walked barefoot, the same as the others. This was what freedom felt like. No adults, no shoes, and no rules.