RYDER
It was quiet in the woods tonight.
Keeping low and moving swiftly, just as always, just as I had learned over the years, I moved through the hidden path that only I knew. I could hardly hear my boots on the leaves. Not even Lila knew where I went after school. No one in school actually and I tend to keep it that way.
For how long though. Maybe for a little while longer. I paused close to the dense ivy wall.
I located the rough stone wall behind the branches by pushing them aside with my practiced fingers. Near the corner, still filled with those ivy, I pressed on a particular brick that my father had shown me as a child.
Click.
There was a groan from the stone as a secret door opened. As soon as I stepped through I felt a rush of cool air and peace. Maybe. But home sweet hom
