Chapter 3: The Mysterious Cabin
After what felt like an hour, Amelia stumbled upon a small, weathered cabin nestled among the trees. It looked abandoned, with vines creeping up the walls and moss covering the roof. Jake barked softly, as if sensing something unusual.
She approached cautiously, her boots crunching on the forest floor. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a dim interior. Inside, she found an assortment of curious objects: a dusty journal, jars of dried herbs, and an old map pinned to the wall.
"What is this place?" she murmured, picking up the journal. The pages were filled with sketches of animals, plants, and strange symbols she didn't recognize. One page caught her eye: a drawing of a hidden grove, marked with an X.
The map depicted familiar landmarks: the northern pasture, the old oak tree, and a winding stream. Her fingers traced the path from the cabin to the grove. Jake sniffed at the edge of the map, as if encouraging her.
"Looks like we have a mystery to solve, Jake," she said, her eyes sparkling with determination. She tucked the journal into her satchel, feeling a surge of excitement.