Chapter Three: The Hidden Path
The golden glow brightened as Amanda followed the narrow passage. The air grew cooler, carrying the damp scent of moss and fresh water. Her footsteps echoed softly, though she wasn't sure if the sound belonged only to her—because every so often, she thought she heard another set of steps, lighter than her own, just ahead.
The passage opened suddenly, and Amanda stumbled out into a place she had never seen before.
It was a forest—but not like the ones near her village. The trees here were impossibly tall, their branches woven together to form a ceiling of shimmering green light. Strange flowers glowed at the roots, and streams of silver water cut through the mossy ground. She could feel the air itself humming, as though the forest were alive and aware of her presence.
"Hello?" Amanda called softly.
Her voice seemed to awaken the place. Leaves rustled though there was no wind. A cluster of glowing butterflies rose into the air, circling her like sparks before darting into the trees.
Then came the sound again: the voice. It was faint, like a whisper carried by water.
"Amanda…"
Her heart leapt. "Who's there?"
She turned toward the sound, following it down a narrow trail lined with flowers that opened as she passed, as if bowing to her. The path led to a small clearing where a pool of silver water rippled gently.
On the surface of the pool, she saw a reflection—but it wasn't hers.
It was a girl about her age, with dark braids and eyes that glowed faintly gold. The girl smiled, though her lips never moved.
"You found the door," the girl's voice echoed inside Amanda's mind.
Amanda's knees trembled. "Who are you?" she whispered.
The girl tilted her head. "I am… what you are meant to discover. But I cannot come through without you."
Amanda's pulse raced. She wasn't sure if she should run back to Grandma May—or reach toward the pool, toward the girl waiting inside.
Behind her, the forest rustled again, as if urging her to decide.