When a road trip goes off the rails, two best friends discover that adventure isn't just about freedom-it's about survival.Alex and Jake are cruising the coast in their battered VW van, chasing open skies and cheap fuel. Alex is the careful one; Jake's the one who thinks rules are more like "guidelines." But when a sudden crash leaves them stranded deep in the woods, their easy-going trip takes a sharp turn into danger.Searching for help, they stumble upon Mona-a mysterious girl who knows the forest too well and carries secrets that could get them all hurt. As night falls, the boys are drawn into a deadly chase through the wilderness, hunted by men protecting something hidden along the coast.What started as a break from the ordinary becomes a test of courage, friendship, and trust. With each narrow escape, Alex and Jake realize the real danger isn't just out there-it's what they'll have to face inside themselves to make it out.Filled with sharp humor, real danger, and the kind of friendship that only comes from facing fear together, Shadows in the Pines is a gripping adventure for teen readers who love mystery, survival, and the open road.