East of the Sun — Heather Marie Adkins

What happens when the earth says enough is enough?

I should have died the day I fell off the path and into the poisoned dirt.

The earth's poison should have seeped into me, instantaneously shutting down my nervous system. We're told to never leave the paths. Walk only on man-made materials; touch only man-made things.

Otherwise, Danu will claim you in her quest to heal herself.

My best friend died in the toxic dust beside me. His nervous system succumbed instantly. Just like we're told.

But mine didn't. I didn't die. And that's when everything changed.