In a short time the trees around them faded out, until only the wispy, leafless webs of dying winter bushes were scattered around them. Erin hoisted her bag onto her shoulder for the final time and bobbed her head in a type of half-bow.
"Thanks," she said, gratefully. "Looks like we're just in time. Come visit some time, ok?
Happy New Year!"
With that and a jaunty farewell wave of her hand, Erin was bounding off in the now familiar direction of her home. She might have enjoyed her snow-dusted outing in the woods and was certainly pleased to have met some more people but, after all, there's no place like home.