SEASON ONE CHAPTER ONE: THE FIRST BOOK.
Sam burst into the field, her boots kicking up dry clumps of soil. "Guys!" she called, breathless and grinning, eyes wide with excitement.
Clara groaned without looking up from the half-dug tubers, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "What is it this time, Sam?"
Sam didn't answer right away. Instead, she waved something in the air — a book, old and cracked, its leather cover faded and peeling at the edges. "Look what I found while digging my section!"
Clara straightened, brushing dirt off her hands with sharp, impatient slaps. "A book? Really, Sam? We have hours of work left before that woman storms up here screaming, and you're busy finding things again? It's not getting us anywhere."
"Calm down, Clara." Maya wiped the sweat from her brow and stepped closer, her curiosity already stirring. "Sam, what's the book about? Did you open it yet? Let me see."
Sam handed it over with a triumphant little smirk. "I think it's the Dark Forest's map book. The legends say it's been lost for decades. Something tells me the Moon Goddess wanted us to find it."
Clara scoffed, throwing her spade down into the soil. "A Dark Forest map book? Oh, please. It's been lost for decades, Sam. You think it would just show up buried in this miserable orphanage garden?"
Patricia sighed as her stomach growled. "Whatever it is, I'm starving. Let's just finish the job so Madam Kate will feed us. You all know she won't give us a crumb if we don't finish these rows."
But Maya's eyes widened as she flipped through the stiff, yellowed pages. "Honestly, guys... I think Sam's right. This really is a map — a map to the Dark Forest."
Sam's grin widened. "I knew it. Listen — I don't know if you'll all agree, but this could be our way out of this hellhole. Maya, we could use this book to reach the Dark Forest. The Stone of Tears has been lost for centuries, but if we return Altolem to its glory by finding it, the king himself would reward us. We could finally be free."
Clara's eyes flashed with anger. "You're insane, Sam!" she yelled. "The Dark Forest? Nobody who enters comes back. You're suggesting we throw our lives away for a stone that probably doesn't even exist!"
Patricia nodded quickly. "She's right. We can't just risk our lives chasing a myth. We don't even know what the Stone looks like or where it's hidden, not really."
David, leaning calmly on his spade, finally spoke. "Let's not lose our heads. Yes, others went and never returned — but none of them had the map. That alone puts us ahead."
Maya glanced up from the book, a flicker of determination in her gaze. "David's right, Clara. With this map, we actually have a chance."
Michael dusted off his hands and gave a lazy grin. "You know me. Anything Maya says — I'm in. Besides, I'd like to get the hell out of here as soon as possible."
"Same here," Mark added with a shrug.
Sam smiled slowly, scanning their faces. "Think about this, guys. Really think." Clara sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't know about this, Maya..."
Maya stepped closer, teasing lightly to soften her friend's fear. "Look, Clara. Just keep it in that stubborn head of yours that we're coming back alive."
Clara groaned, frustration battling fear in her eyes. "You know this is a hard decision, right? I don't want to die — at least not now."
Maya placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll be fine. And besides... what could possibly kill us all at once?
Clara arched a brow. "A dragon's breath?" she joked weakly.
Everyone — except Patricia — burst into laughter.
"Dragons?" Maya chuckled. "Come on. Do they even still exist?"
David shrugged. "In the Dark Forest, according to legend, anything can exist." Clara stared at the ground for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I'll go." Patricia blinked in surprise. "You're going too?"
Sam rolled her eyes. "We all know you're not going, Pat."
Patricia crossed her arms, lips tightening. "You're right. Good luck on your pretty little adventure, but count me out."
"No one's forcing you," Maya said gently.
Patricia hesitated, then spoke softly. "Fine. But I'm warning you — it's dangerous."
Michael looked up with a playful grin. "Pretty girl, remember — if we come back alive with that stone of... uh... what was it again?"
Clara rolled her eyes. "Stone of Tears, blockhead."
"Right, that one," Michael said, unfazed. "And when we get rewarded by the king, you'll have no share in it."
Patricia snorted. "Who cares? I'd rather die here than in the jaws of some beast."
Maya's tone softened, her confidence almost soothing. "We won't die. I promise."
Patricia looked away. "Good luck, then." And with a flick of her hand, she walked off into the darkened hall.
Clara watched her leave and sighed. "That girl's stubborn. One day, that attitude's going to land her in real trouble."
"She deserves it," David muttered with a sly grin.
Everyone turned to glare at him.
"What?" David said, throwing up his hands. "I'm just saying."
Maya shook her head, pulling them all back to focus. "We'll deal with that later. Right now, finish up. We leave at midnight. Get your things ready. Mark, pack the food. David, Michael — you handle the camping supplies. Sam and I will find horses. Clara, you distract the guards."
They all nodded and set to work, their usual rhythm now electric with nervous energy.
By the time the last rows of tubers were cleared, the night had deepened, thick with the scent of wet earth and a restless wind. Sam and Maya slipped quietly to the stables, stealing enough horses for the group. One by one, they met at the agreed spot in the shadows of the orphanage wall.
Before leaving, Maya slipped back inside. She moved through the dim corridors like a ghost, until she reached a small cot.
"Simon," she whispered, gently shaking her younger brother awake.
He stirred, mumbling softly, "Hmm?"
"You have to listen to me," Maya said quietly, brushing hair from his face. "The others and I are leaving — somewhere far away. We'll be back soon, I promise. Be a good boy, stay out of trouble, and wait for me. I'll come back for you."
Simon's eyes flew open, panic replacing sleep. "Without me? No — take me with you!"
"It's too dangerous," Maya whispered, her voice cracking as she cupped his face. "Stay here with Pat, Abigail, and Jenna. Please."
"I don't like the sound of this," he whispered, clutching her wrist. "Come back to me, Maya. You have to."
"I will," she promised, kissing his forehead before gently pulling away.
Outside, Sam gathered Abigail and Jenna, her usually sharp tone softening. "Promise me you'll look out for each other, okay? No fighting. It's serious this time."
The two younger girls nodded, wide-eyed and silent.
"I love you guys," Sam said, her voice low as she stepped back, heart heavy. Then she turned and followed Maya into the night, toward the waiting horses — toward the Dark Forest — toward the beginning of something far greater than any of them could yet imagine.