I thought I heard another set of footsteps crunching on the misty gravel trail, so I took out one Airpod and turned around.

Nothing.

I put my Airpod back in and kept walking as daylight faded. Summer wasn’t even technically over yet, but tonight I could feel spooky season setting in.

I noticed some big orange mushrooms that had popped up after the rainshowers earlier in the day and crouched down to take a look. They looked velvety-soft, the color of pumpkins, and I had never seen anything like them before.

I reached out and touched one - and a flash of light made my eyes water.

I stumbled to my feet to see - through a hazy veil - someone who looked just like me, walking away through the mist with a small smile on her face.

I called out, but no sound came from my lips.