The Whispers of Secrets

Chapter 3: The Search Begins

Equipped with this new information, Elara and Aric began their search for the secret room. They combed through the village for clues or signs of where to find the passageway. One night, near the edge of the forest, listening to the whispers, Elara sensed something different. The whispers were stronger, clearer, by a giant old oak tree.

listen, Aric, hears the whisper, louder here, Elara, heart racing, excited.

Aric closed his eyes, listening for the voices. ‘You’re right, Elara,’ he said. ‘The tree must be important. We should inspect it more closely.’

They studied the oak but found no carvings or symbols. Then they opened the door to find a tiny door half-hidden and half-buried in the base of the oak, covered by moss and bark. The door yielded up delights. On the trunk were many intricate carvings depicting a potted history of the village, from foundation to present day, surprisingly complete and rich in detail.

This has to be it,’ Aric said in a hushed tone. ‘The entrance to the secret room.’

They worked hard at opening the door to reveal the thin flights of stairs that disappeared into darkness, but by the light of their torches they took the steps, feeling their heart rates accelerate under the sensation of terror and excitement. The whispers grew in intensity and the pulsating noise of groundwater in the dark horse-shoe pit raced above their ankles and caused their hair to shiver.