The Clearing: Chapter One

You turn the manuscript over, intrigued by its rough edges and unmarked cover. There was no title, no author—just a manuscript that felt heavier than parchment should—as though they carried something more than ink. Whatever was inside, she seemed certain it was meant for you. As you turned it over, her words lingered like a whisper at the back of your mind. At home, tucked beneath warm blankets, you cracked open the first page