Chapter 6: The Whispering Woods
The next morning, Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that the grove held more secrets. She decided to revisit the cabin to look for additional clues. Jake eagerly followed as they retraced their steps into the woods. The journey felt different this time, as though the forest had shifted subtly overnight. Branches seemed to arch above them like a cathedral, and faint whispers seemed to drift on the breeze.
Inside the cabin, Amelia searched the shelves and corners she'd overlooked before. Her fingers brushed against a hidden compartment beneath the desk. Inside, she found a small, tattered book with the title "The Whispering Woods" embossed in gold.
The book detailed legends of the grove and the surrounding forest, speaking of a guardian spirit that protected the land and granted courage to those who proved themselves worthy. One passage caught her attention: "To unlock the grove's true gift, one must find the heartstone hidden deep within the Whispering Woods."
Excitement surged through Amelia. She tucked the book into her satchel and headed back toward the grove, determined to find the heartstone.