In the excerpt from "The Calling" by Kelley Armstrong, characters express frustration about their arduous journey through a dense forest over the past two days. One character sarcastically suggests that instead of enduring the rough terrain, it would be great to have a modern road, hinting at the difficulties they face navigating the wilderness.

The conversation takes a dark turn as the other character points out the absurdity of wishing for a highway, suggesting that such infrastructure could lead to danger. This encounter highlights the contrast between their current struggles and the risks associated with civilization, emphasizing the tension between nature and modern life.