The Forest's Secret

Act 8 | The Unravelling Mystery |Part 2

"Mr. Tompson!" Ash quickly got in and pushed the confused man to the side. Ash moved to the coffee table and dumped the journals out of his bags onto the table. "I was running in the forest earlier! And like I found this cabin and then these books and then...!" Ash rambled.

Mr. Tompson's eyes widened as he saw the old journals sprawled across the coffee table. He blinked, then looked up at Ash, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Slow down, Ash. Let's take this one step at a time. You found something in the forest?"

Ash nodded eagerly, his excitement and anxiety barely contained. "Yes! I found this old cabin and these books with weird symbols, and I saw that creature again. It was even more terrifying than before."

Mr Tompson gestured for Ash to sit, and he sat himself, running a hand through his dishevelled hair. "Alright, let's start with the journals. Show me what you've got."

Ash quickly opened one of the journals, flipping through the yellowed pages. The text was written in a mixture of faded ink and strange symbols, some of which seemed familiar. He pointed out the passages that mentioned rituals and guardians.

Mr Tompson's brows furrowed as he studied the text. "These symbols... they look like they're related to ancient rites and possibly local folklore. They might be connected to the legends about the forest and its guardians."

Ash leaned in, trying to follow along. "Guardians? You mean like the creature I saw?"

"Possibly," Mr. Tompson said, still examining the pages. "But there's more to it than that. The fact that these journals talk about appeasing the spirits suggests that the forest might be linked to ancient practices. It might be trying to protect something or keep something hidden."

Ash nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "What about the symbols on the stone altar? They were different from the ones in the journals."

Mr Tompson glanced at the photo Ash had taken of the rune. "Interesting. These symbols are reminiscent of old protection runes used in various cultures. The forest may use these runes to mark sacred or dangerous areas."

Ash felt a twinge of relief at having some of his questions answered, but he was still concerned. "So what should I do now? I can't just keep going into the forest without knowing more."

"Agreed," Mr. Tompson said, leaning back in his chair. "The forest is a place of great significance, and it's important to approach it with caution. I'll need to do some research on these symbols and the rituals mentioned in the journals. In the meantime, you should avoid going back until we have a clearer understanding of what's at stake."

Ash felt a mix of frustration and relief. "So, what do I do while you're researching?"

"Keep yourself safe and stay out of trouble," Mr. Tompson said with a reassuring smile. "And keep your findings to yourself for now. This information is sensitive, and it's important to avoid causing unnecessary panic."

Ash agreed though the thought of being unable to explore the forest for a while was disappointing. "Thanks, Mr. Tompson. I'll wait for your update."

As Ash left Mr Tompson's house, he felt a slight sense of hope. At least he wasn't alone in this mystery anymore, and with Mr. Tompson's help, he might finally get the answers he was looking for. He returned home, feeling a bit more at ease but still anxious about what lay ahead.

The next few days were a mixture of waiting and trying to maintain a semblance of normal life. Ash kept himself busy with schoolwork and tried to ignore the teasing from Micheal, though it wasn't easy. His father's stern warnings also lingered in his mind, reminding him of the importance of being careful.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mr. Tompson called Ash to let him know he had made some progress. "Meet me at the local library after school. I have some information that might help."

Ash's heart raced with anticipation. He spent the rest of the day counting down the minutes until he could head to the library. The library's quiet ambience provided a welcome respite from the chaos of the past few days. When he arrived, Mr. Tompson was already there, surrounded by books and papers.

"Good to see you, Ash," Mr. Tompson said, gesturing for him to sit. "I've found some interesting information that might shed light on the symbols and the rituals."

He laid out several reference books and maps on the table. "The runes on the stone altar and in the journals are linked to ancient protection rituals and guardian spirits. It seems like the forest was once a sacred place where people performed rites to maintain balance and keep dark forces at bay."

Ash listened intently; his curiosity piqued. "So, the creature I saw might be one of these dark forces?"

"Possibly," Mr. Tompson said. "The rituals described in the journals suggest that if the balance is disrupted, such entities could become more aggressive. The forest might be reacting to protect itself or to signal that something has gone wrong."

Ash felt a chill run down his spine. "So what does this mean for me? What should I do next?"

"For now, it's crucial to be cautious," Mr. Tompson advised. "Avoid going into the forest until we have a clearer understanding of the situation. I'll continue my research, and once we have more information, we'll plan a safer approach."

Ash nodded, feeling both relieved and anxious. "Thank you, Mr. Tompson. I appreciate all your help."

As he left the library, Ash felt a renewed sense of purpose. The forest's mysteries were still unfolding, but with Mr. Tompson's guidance, he felt better prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For now, he would focus on staying safe and waiting for more answers, knowing that the truth was slowly being revealed.