Midway there, Gabby stops dramatically and stands in front of a large oak tree. She closes her eyes, places one hand over her heart, another on the tree, and breathes deeply. After a few minutes, she starts to cry softly. “There were ancestors in this area,” she says. “The blood ran thick here and this tree is still carrying the trauma. I’m sorry,” she says with a pained voice. “For what you had to witness.” She reaches out and wraps her arms around the trunk. The tree is so big, her arms only reach about halfway.

None of us says a word. Instead, we stand with our mouths open for several seconds beholding her weirdness. “Let’s trade her too,” Earnell whispers in my ear eventually.

“What?” Gabby says when she’s done with her tree healing services. “Don’t be surprised. I told you I could hear the spirit of everything. If you get in tune, you’ll be able to hear it too. That tree whispered to me. Trees are the keepers of wisdom. They remember all.”

When Gabby says “keepers,” I suddenly start to hear voices coming from everywhere. I grow cold. I’m shivering now. I look all around me. “You see,” Gabby says, pointing at me. “She understands. She can hear the call of nature too. Beautiful!”

Gabby sprints in a direction we assume is north. We follow her after Elizabeth’s compass confirms. Earnell turns to me and asks, “Are you all right? You can’t let that tree-hugging girl get in your head. Don’t start freaking out because of her antics. Freddy is here with us. All is safe.” I don’t respond.

We make our way through the forest on the yellow trail, in the white roped-off area, collecting clues. Along the way, Daniel and Elizabeth join us in our game of Date, Marry, Kill. Nobody is surprised at Daniel’s choice to marry Katie Couric, which he reluctantly shares, not wanting to turn Elizabeth off. We are all surprised, however, at who Elizabeth would wed.

“Well, I’d choose the Rock,” Elizabeth remarks.

“The wrestler?!” Earnell blurts out as Daniel smiles slyly.

“So you like a little chocolate in your milk,” Earnell teases. “Down with the swirl? Maybe that explains how you ended up on a freshman trip with a bunch of negroes. They must have sensed your propensity for soul people. It’s all good. We welcome you.”

“I used to watch wrestling with my dad,” Elizabeth says. “Always thought he was hot and nice. I like that combination.”

“Me too,” I say in happy solidarity.