Brierspell
an excerpt

Mervin decided to dawdle less with his feet and catch back up. Beth was right, iffin’ they didn't find the mushrooms, there'd not be much for supper. The two boys followed Elsbeth because she had mountain-sense. All the first-born girls from before Ma's time had the family gift. Boys had not much to do with it and used maps to get around. But Ma's daughters, granddaughters, and now great granddaughter carried the sense.
That's why when Beth walked them off the trail, neither boy complained. Logan fell behind her, sullen, but that was all. The climbed and climbed, picking through rocks, brush and bramble. Unprotected arms brushed against thorns and scratches appeared.
All at once, the children reached a place where the mountain noise faded. It was a thicket closed in on all sides by briers. The children halted, breathing only.
"This ain't the place, is it?" asked Mervin.
"Yup."
They looked around, three blond heads with different colored eyes looking at the peculiar thicket.
"I don't like it none. Feels mean."