Continuation from the previous part, 1 - The Letter.
The first Saturday of July, the morning sun streamed through the curtains as the Johnson family gathered in the living room, bags packed and ready for their adventure. Sophie, her curly hair pulled back in a messy bun, surveyed the room and grinned.
"I can’t believe we’re actually going to Great-Aunt Edith’s cabin," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “How’s it called?” she asked with a grin.
Max eagerly nodded, clutching his backpack. "Edith’s Eden! I wonder what we’ll find there. Do you think there’ll be hidden treasure?"
Jack chuckled, ruffling Max’s hair. "There’s only one way to find out, buddy. Let’s hit the road!"
As they set out on their journey, the cityscape gradually faded into the background, replaced by rolling hills and lush forests. The family took turns choosing songs to sing along to, their laughter and voices filling the car.
At one point, Mary, her eyes bright with curiosity, pointed out a field of wildflowers. "Just look at those vibrant colors! Isn’t it beautiful?"
As the GPS was pointing less than 50 miles to go, the family pulled over at a quaint roadside diner for lunch. As they enjoyed their meal, an elderly man sitting nearby overheard their conversation about Edith’s Eden.
"You’re headed to Edith’s Eden, you say?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with interest. "I knew Edith, and I can tell you, the area is truly magical. You’re in for quite the adventure."
Sophie leaned in, captivated. "What kind of adventure? Are there hidden paths or secret waterfalls?"
The old man smiled enigmatically. "I won’t disclose anything. You’ll have to discover its secrets for yourself. Just keep your eyes and hearts open, and you’ll find what you’re looking for."
“Is there a hidden treasure?” Max asked.
“Well, I can’t say it’s a treasure in the sense you probably mean it, gold or diamonds. But it’s a treasure for those who keep their hearts and mind open. The only thing I can share is that you will not be disappointed, for sure, as I was, when Edith invited me, ages ago,” the old man replied with a large smile. “Enjoy your lunch!” he said while turning his heels.
After a light lunch, with the old man’s words echoing in their minds, the family continued on their journey, anticipation mounting with each passing mile. They marveled at the landscapes around them, from the ancient trees that seemed to touch the sky to the crystal-clear rivers that sparkled in the sunlight.
At last, they reached the gravelled road indicated by the GPS. A fainted wooden post engraved “Edit’s Eden”.
“It’s there,” Max shouted.
“Yes, dumbass, we can read,” Sophie replied while pushing his shoulder.
“If I’m a dumbass, you’re a witch,” Max replied.
“Kidos, no swear words or we go back home,” Jack interjected, quieting the quarrel.
He engaged the station wagon on the road until a closed fenced gate.
“I’ll open it,” Max shouted once again, dashing out of the car.
Mary took the key chain out of her bag and stepped out of the car, heading to Max. He shuffled through the old and numerous keys, until he found the one that opened the lock, releasing free the gate.
“Lock it again behind the car,” Jack said.
Max nodded, locked the gate and went back to his seat. Jack was driving slowly on the gravel road, marvelling at the pine trees and listening to the birds chirping as everybody was quiet and mesmerised by the scenery. Suddenly, after a sharp left turn, the cabin appeared, nestled among towering pines. Eager to explore their new surroundings, the kids tumbled out of the car and hurried to the front door.
Jack turned to his family, his eyes shining with excitement. "Are you ready to unlock the secrets of Great-Aunt Edith’s cabin?"
Mary, Sophie, and Max exchanged excited glances and nodded in unison.
As Jack unlocked the door and pushed it open, they stepped inside, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The cozy interior of the cabin welcomed them, its walls lined with bookshelves, its wooden furniture and those personal touches that felt as if Edith put all her heart in the house.
As they unpacked and settled in, Sophie called out from the living room. "Hey, everyone, come take a look at this!"
The family gathered around her, their eyes drawn to a dusty, yellowed note pinned to the mantelpiece. The handwriting was the same as on the original letter, unmistakably Edith’s.
"What does it say, Sophie?" Max asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Sophie read aloud, her voice imbued with a sense of wonder. "Dear family, a warm welcome to Edith’s Eden, my little paradise that now belongs to you all. Within these walls and the land that surrounds them, you’ll find a world unlike any other. Open your heart and mind, embrace the unknown, and you will uncover the magic that lies within. Love, Great-Aunt Edith."
The family exchanged excited glances, their hearts racing at the thought of the mysteries that lay ahead.
As the sun set outside, casting the room in a warm, orange glow, the family felt the thrill of the unknown, eager to unravel the secrets that Great-Aunt Edith had left for them to discover. They spent the evening speculating about the adventures they would embark upon over the summer.
Jack, his eyes alight with curiosity, mused, "I wonder what kind of magic Edith was talking about. Is it something hidden in the woods, or perhaps a special connection with the people we’ll meet?"
Sophie gazed out the window, her mind filled with images of secret pathways and enchanted glades. "Maybe we’ll find a hidden grove where the trees come alive, or a waterfall that grants wishes."
Max, his imagination running wild, chimed in. "What if there are magical creatures, like talking animals or fairies, living in the forest? We could go on quests and solve mysteries together!"
Mary smiled at her family’s excitement and added, "Whatever the magic is, I hope it will bring us closer together and create memories we’ll treasure forever."
As the night wore on, the family shared their hopes and dreams for the summer, each of them eager to explore the mysteries hidden within the forest and the cabin. They could feel the pull of the unknown, the promise of adventure just beyond their reach.
As they went to bed that night, their dreams were filled with images of enchanted forests, secret passageways, and the magic that awaited them. They slept soundly, knowing that their days would be spent unraveling the secrets of Great-Aunt Edith’s world, a world that was now theirs to discover.
Unbeknownst to the Johnson family, the cabin and the land surrounding it held secrets far beyond their imaginations. As they slept, whispers of the unknown brushed against their dreams, hinting at the extraordinary experiences that lay ahead.
The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, casting the room in a soft, golden glow. The family awoke, filled with a sense of anticipation and wonder, eager to begin their journey of discovery in the magical world of Edith’s Eden.
To be continued…
Photo by Rudolf Jakkel