When the Tree Finally Gave a Hint
I worked carefully along the surface, easing away layers that had built up over decades.
At first, nothing seemed different — just wood, time, and patience.
Then something changed.
The texture shifted slightly beneath my hands, subtle but unmistakable.
Officer Trent raised an eyebrow. “You feel that too?”
I took a slow breath. “Yeah. There’s something here.”
The mystery was no longer just a question — it was starting to reveal itself.