時とともに失われた記憶

Chapter 9: A new beginning.

The forest feels different now—less oppressive and more alive, as if it senses our grief and is guiding us toward something new. With heavy hearts, we leave behind the remnants of our past, our parents, and the secrets that haunt us. P.C., E.J., and I press on, our feet moving as if on autopilot, searching for something—anything—to anchor us in this wild and unpredictable world.

The trees start to thin out again, and a glimmer of hope flickers in my chest. "What if we find a way out?" I ask, my voice a tentative whisper.

"Let's keep moving," P.C. replies, his determination shining through his shock. "We have to find shelter for the night."

As the sun sinks lower in the sky, casting long shadows that dance across the ground, we spot a small clearing ahead. My heart races as I push through the last of the underbrush, and then I see it—a cabin, standing silently among the trees.

"It's just up ahead!" I call, pointing toward the structure. The worn wooden walls are covered in moss, and the roof is partially caved in, but it's shelter—something we desperately need.

"What if it's dangerous?" E.J. asks, her voice trembling.

"Wouldn't you rather be in there than out here?" P.C. shoots back, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "We can't keep wandering around in the dark."

As we approach, the cabin looms larger, and a strange mix of excitement and fear washes over me. I step onto the creaking porch, the wood groaning beneath my weight. "Hello?" I call, hoping for an answer but fearing what we might find.

No one responds.

The door hangs slightly ajar, and I push it open, revealing a dusty interior filled with shadows. The air inside is stale, and I can't shake the feeling that we're intruding on something that was meant to be left alone.

"It looks abandoned," P.C. says, peering inside. "But it could still be safe."

We step in cautiously, the floorboards creaking ominously beneath us. The cabin is simple—a small kitchen, a living area with a fireplace, and a narrow staircase leading up to the second floor. Dust motes dance in the fading light, and cobwebs hang in the corners like forgotten memories.

"This place is... weird," E.J. says, wrinkling her nose as she looks around.

But then something catches my eye—a flash of color near the window. I move closer, and my heart skips a beat as I spot a little girl sitting there, her back turned to us. She's small, with wild hair and a faded dress, absorbed in a drawing on the floor.

"E.G.?" I call, my voice barely a whisper.

The girl's head snaps up, and she turns to face us. Her eyes widen in surprise, and a smile breaks across her face. "Sophie! P.C.! E.J.! You found me!"

"E.G.!" I rush forward, wrapping my arms around her. "We were so worried about you!"

"Me too! I thought I was lost forever," she replies, clinging to me tightly.

P.C. kneels beside us, his expression a mix of relief and disbelief. "How did you end up here?"

"I saw the forest light up!" E.G. explains, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And I followed it. It led me here to this cabin!"

"We thought we'd lost you," E.J. says, her voice thick with emotion as she kneels beside us.

As E.G. shares her story, the weight on our shoulders begins to lift. In this forgotten cabin, surrounded by the whispers of the forest, we find solace in each other's presence. The loss of our parents still lingers in our hearts, but here, together, we can begin to forge a new path.

"Look what I found!" E.G. says, reaching for her drawing. She holds it up proudly—a colorful picture of our family, with the sun shining above and trees all around. It's innocent and pure, a reminder of the love that still binds us, even in the darkest of times.

"This is beautiful, E.G.," I say, wiping away tears that threaten to spill. "We'll keep this safe."

P.C. glances around the cabin, his brow furrowed in thought. "We can make this our home for now. We need to figure out a way to survive—together."

"Together," E.J. echoes, her voice steadying.

As we settle into the cabin, an unexpected warmth envelops us. The shadows of the past still linger, but in this moment, we choose to embrace our bond as siblings. With E.G. back with us, the weight of our loss feels a little lighter, and the forest—though still mysterious—seems less menacing.

We are here, together, ready to face whatever comes next.