Chapter 2: Into the Woods

With a bag of tools slung over her shoulder and Jake trotting beside her, Amelia set off toward the northern pasture. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of wildflowers and freshly turned soil. Birds chirped melodiously, and the golden sun painted the fields with a warm glow. As they reached the broken fence, she noticed something unusual: a trail of footprints leading from the woods.

"What do you think, Jake?" she asked. The dog sniffed the ground, his ears perked. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to follow the trail.

The footprints led deep into the woods, where the trees grew tall and dense. Sunlight barely penetrated the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The further she ventured, the quieter it became, the usual rustling of leaves replaced by an eerie stillness. Amelia's heart raced with excitement and a touch of fear. What could have left those prints? A stray animal? A traveler?

She paused to examine a clawed tree trunk. "Someone's been here, Jake. Maybe not too long ago," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft crunch of leaves beneath her boots. Jake barked softly, his tail wagging but his stance alert.