The sun cast warm rays through the kitchen windows, illuminating the Johnson family as they sat around their kitchen table. The buzz of conversation and laughter filled the room as they enjoyed their morning ritual of breakfast together.
Sophie, the older sister, was a bubbly, energetic teenager with a head full of wild, curly blond hair. She enthusiastically chatted about her latest art project, gesticulating wildly with her fork. Max, her younger brother, sported a mop of messy brown hair and a pair of large, curious, blue eyes. He eagerly listened to Sophie’s tales, all the while imagining the adventures he could embark on within her colorful narratives.
Jack, their father, was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a beard that had started to show the first signs of grey. A kind, patient soul, he watched his children with pride and amusement. Mary, their mother, was the epitome of grace and warmth. Her laughter was infectious, filling the room like a melody. She looked on lovingly as her family bantered over breakfast.
The moment of tranquillity was broken by the sound of the mail slot clattering. Max jumped up from his seat. Picking mail was his task. He raced to the front door and retrieved the small stack of envelopes that had just arrived. Flipping through them, he found what looked like a dusty, yellowed envelope addressed to the entire family.
"Hey, look at this!" he called out, waving the mysterious letter in the air. "It’s addressed to all of us, and it looks f*cking old!"
“Max!” said Mary on an angry tone, taking the envelope from Max’s hand. The family gathered around as Mary carefully broke what looked like a wax seal. She unfolded the fragile parchment and began to read aloud.
"Dear Johnson family," she began, her voice steady and clear. "If you read this letter, I, your Great-Aunt Edith, have recently passed away. We don’t know much about each other, but I vividly remember Jack, who was always kind to me when he was a child. I’ve instructed my lawyer, Mr. Rightley, to grant you the deed to my cabin and the surrounding land of Edith’s Eden."
Sophie gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "A cabin in the forest? That sounds amazing! But… who’s Great-Aunt Edith? I’ve never heard of her."
Jack stroked his beard thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "I only have vague memories of her from my childhood. She was always a bit of a recluse, disappearing for months at a time. My parents never spoke much about her."
Max was practically vibrating with excitement. "We have to go! I want to see this mysterious cabin!"
Mary continued reading, her voice taking on a tone of intrigue. "In this cabin, you will find solace, peace, and a world unlike any other. The land and community surrounding it hold a kind of secret, a way of life that will challenge your beliefs and bring you closer together as a family."
The family exchanged glances, the air thick with curiosity and anticipation.
"In the coming weeks, Mr. Rightley will send further instructions to guide you to your inheritance," Mary finished. "Until then, I wish you all the love and luck in the world. With love, Great-Aunt Edith."
As the family absorbed the contents of the letter, they began to discuss the possibilities of what lay in store for them. The prospect of an adventure in an unknown land, with the promise of a hidden secret, ignited a spark within each of them.
"What do you think the secret could be?" Sophie asked, her eyes alight with excitement.
Jack chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Who knows? It could be anything. But I have to admit, I’m curious to find out."
Mary nodded in agreement. "It would be a wonderful way to spend the summer, away from the city and surrounded by nature. And it would give us a chance to learn more about your Great-Aunt Edith and her mysterious life."
Over the following days, the Johnson family eagerly awaited the arrival of further instructions from Great-Aunt Edith’s estate. Their excitement was palpable, and they found themselves frequently discussing the possibilities that awaited them at the cabin.
Finally, one morning, a thick envelope arrived, containing paperwork to sign, detailed directions and a set of keys. Max couldn’t contain his excitement as he waved the envelope in the air, his eyes gleaming.
"It’s here! We can finally go to the cabin!"
The family spent the rest of the day discussing their upcoming adventure, planning what to pack and how they would spend their time at the mysterious cabin. They were filled with anticipation, wondering what secrets lay hidden within the forest and what awaited them at Edith’s Eden.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a warm, orange glow, the family continued to talk about their upcoming journey. Each of them was filled with a sense of wonder and excitement, eager to uncover the secret that Great-Aunt Edith had alluded to in her letter.
"I can’t wait to explore the surroundings and see what we find," Sophie mused, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Max nodded eagerly, his imagination running wild. "Do you think we’ll find hidden treasure or magical creatures?"
Jack laughed, ruffling Max’s hair. "Only time will tell, buddy. But it will take a long time to find any treasure. Edith’s Eden is more than three thousand acres. That’s a lot of ground to cover."
“How much exactly is an acre?” asked Max, raising his eyebrows.
“Well, if I know how to calculate correctly, three thousand acres will make close to five square miles,“ Sophie answered without any hesitation. “That’s the equivalent of a square with a side of two point two miles.”
“That’s huge!” Max exclaimed. “It will take us days to explore all of it.”
As the family went to bed that night, their dreams were filled with images of towering trees, hidden pathways, and the promise of an adventure that would change their lives forever. Little did they know that the mysterious cabin and the land surrounding it held secrets far beyond their wildest imaginations.
The Johnson family drifted off to sleep, each of them eager for the day when they would finally travel to Great-Aunt Edith’s cabin and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. As they slept, the whisper of an unknown secret tugged at the edges of their dreams, hinting at the extraordinary experiences that lay ahead.
Picture by Anne Nygård on Unsplash
I suppose I have yo pay to read the rest of the storie.
O well it's a good story so far.
To bad everything in this life comes down to money!