Leslie’s favorite place besides the castle stronghold was the pine forest. There the trees grew so thick at the top that the sunshine was veiled. No low bush or grass could grow in that dim light, so the ground was carpeted with golden needles. “I used to think this place was haunted,” Jess had confessed to Leslie the first afternoon he had revved up his courage to bring her there. “Oh, but it is,” she said. “But you don’t have to be scared. It’s not haunted with evil things.” “How do you know?” “You can just feel it. Listen.”
